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Research: THORGRIMSEN and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 96
Abstract
THORGRIMSEN and colleagues, No. 2 Cottage, Cotbank of Barras, Stonehaven, UK, AB39 2UH, have reviewed (46 references) aromatherapy for dementia.
Background
Aromatherapy is reported to be the most widely used complementary therapy in the British National Health Service and might be of use to people with dementia who find it difficult to interact verbally and benefit only marginally from conventional medicine. Aromatherapy has been used to reduce disturbed behaviour, promote sleep, and stimulate motivational behaviour. The aim of this systematic review was to assess efficacy of aromatherapy as an intervention for people with dementia.
Methodology
The Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's specialized register was searched for trials of aromatherapy. In addition, relevant journals were hand searched, and experts in the field of complementary medicine were contacted. All relevant randomized controlled trials were considered. Several outcomes were considered including cognitive function, quality of life, and relaxation.
Results
Two randomized controlled trials of aromatherapy for dementia were found. Analysis of individual patient data revealed a statistically significant effect of aromatherapy on agitation and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Conclusion
Aromatherapy showed benefits for people with dementia in a very limited patient sample. More investigations are needed.
References
Thorgrimsen L, Spector A, Wiles A, Orrell M. Aroma therapy for dementia. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2003 (3): CD003150.
Comment
Taking the above published research in the round, there is absolutely no possibility of ignoring that applying various therapies within natural and complementary medicine to a wide range of medical conditions and social situation is taken seriously in the medical world. It is thus astonishing that the only message that ever gets put out by the media is a totally denigrating, patronizing view that these approaches are somehow not a more viable and less fatal than many drug and surgical procedures currently being used.
