Neurofeedback treatment for Dementia and Alzheimer symptoms
Can Neurofeedback Help With Dementia & Alzheimer’s symptoms?
This recent thesis describes a study in which 10 patients with Alzheimer’s Disease were treated with neurofeedback, and concluded that “neurofeedback has a positive effect on the cognitive performance of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease”:
This 2008 study describes how Neurofeedback was used with elderly people judged at risk of developing Dementia, which improved their verbal comprehension and associated brainwave patterns:
This 2009 study found that the memory of Dementia patients was “significantly improved” following Neurofeedback training, and observed that it was more effective for patients at an early stage of dementia:
What is Dementia ?
When someone after the age of 65 loses his or her cognitive abilities at a rate greater that the ‘norm
al’ stages of aging and without previous problems, he or she might be suffering Dementia. When this unusual loss of abilities occurs before the age of 65, it is called ‘early onset dementia’. A well-known and common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. In general, two classifications of dementia are used – reversible or irreversible – depending on the cause of the affected cognitive areas. The cause of Dementia is widely contributed to damage in the brain. The brain can be damaged by several causes such as infections, interruptions in the brain’s blood supply or by neurodegenerative diseases. In the case of neurodegenerative diseases, brain cells degenerate and die more quickly than is usually expected with ‘normal aging’. This degeneration impacts and reduces one’s cognitive and sometimes physical abilities.
Symptoms of Dementia
A general description of Dementia used is ‘an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities’. However, there are many specific types and causes of dementia and symptoms one experiences and shows differ from person to person. The main assumption though, is that associated symptoms must be present for at least six months to support a diagnosis of Dementia.
| Symptoms of Dementia |
|---|
| Memory loss |
| Decreased understanding / ability to learn |
| Reduced thinking speed |
| Attention problems |
| Difficulties finding the right word |
| Lack of judgment / reason |
| Difficulties retaining or recalling past experiences |
| Disoriented in time, place and in person |
| Losing interest in social activities |
| Incontinency |
| Disorganised, restless behavior |
| Sudden mood swings (tears or anger) |
| Depression |
| Anxiety |
| Psychosis (delusions of persecution) |
Treatment for Dementia
In exceptional cases of Dementia, dietary supplements and surgery can help. However, more often Dementia is progressive and there isn’t a ‘cure’. Medication is mostly prescribed to modify risk factors, prevent symptoms getting worse or for coexisting conditions, such as Depression. Psychological treatments, such as Cognitive Stimulation, Reality Orientation Therapy, Validation Therapy and Behavioral therapy can provide support in dealing with the symptoms of Dementia.
Neurofeedback and Dementia
Neurofeedback isn’t a ‘cure’ either and it cannot reverse structural damage or deterioration in the brain, such as that occurring with Alzheimer’s disease, where brain cells are lost. However, with Neurofeedback training the function of the healthy parts of the brain can be maximized, physiological self-regulation can be maintained and the onset of some symptoms can be delayed. It should be noted though, that with Dementia, Neurofeedback has to be applied frequently and maybe even indefinitely to sustain improvement and prevent relapse. It is very likely that Neurofeedback will become a regular part of elderly care in the future, to fight against the decline of mental faculties and prolong healthy brains in humans.
