Aromatherapy and bright light could help relieve the agitation and sleep disturbances experienced by dementia sufferers. While drugs seem to be the obvious choice for relieving symptoms of dementia, they are not always the best form of treatment as they themselves cause side effects, and lower the patients’ quality of life. Some research has even suggested that long-term use of such drugs may actually speed mental decline. In steps aromatherapy. Three studies published in 2002 found aromatherapy to be more effective at combating agitation than a placebo. What’s more, inhaling the soothing scents of lemon balm and lavender oil (the most commonly used oils) was evidently well tolerated and side-effect free as all of the patients involved in the studies completed their course of treatment. Another alternative therapy found to benefit dementia sufferers is bright light treatment, which involves sitting in front of a light box that emits up to 10,000 lux – standard office light emits just 300 lux. Study results show that the therapy helps sufferers to sleep more soundly and for longer.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: British Medical Journal 2002; 325:1312-1313
