Nonpharmacological Treatment of Cognitive Impairment

Excerpt

Drugs available to treat dementia produce small improvements in cognition, but the clinical significance of these effects are questionable (1-3). In addition, they produce a variety of side effects including anorexia, weight loss, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, bradycardia, syncope and weakness. Thus, while dementia has traditionally been conceptualized from a medical model (4), it has become clear that dementia prognosis is strongly related to the environment and interpersonal relationships (5). Kitwood (5) identified 6 central needs for a person with dementia, viz., love, comfort, attachment, inclusion, occupation and identity. This has led to a variety of lifestyle and non-pharmacological interventions to manage cognitive impairment and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD)(Table 1) (6).

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