This study uses a laser acupuncture pen to stimulate specific acupoints, aiming to evaluate its effectiveness in improving behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
Participants will be dementia patients residing in institutions who present with BPSD symptoms. A laser acupuncture pen with a wavelength of 808 nm will be used to irradiate the following acupoints three times per week: GV20, ST36, and PC6, with each acupoint irradiated for 10 seconds per session. The severity of BPSD, activities of daily living, and cognitive function will be assessed using the NPI, MMSE, and ADL scales, respectively, while recording the dosage of oral Psychotropic medicationsmedications. A total of six assessments, including the baseline, will be conducted to evaluate the immediate, short-term, and long-term effects of laser acupuncture.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
60
Participants receive laser acupuncture using an 808 nm, 100 mW semiconductor laser pen applied at acupoints GV20, bilateral ST36, and bilateral PC6. Each acupoint is irradiated for 10 seconds, three times per week, for 12 weeks.
Participants receive the same procedure as the laser acupuncture group, using an 808 nm semiconductor laser pen applied at acupoints GV20, bilateral ST36, and bilateral PC6. The device is identical in appearance and produces lights and beeping sounds; however, it delivers no energy output. Each acupoint is contacted for 10 seconds, three times per week, for 12 weeks.
Taoyuan Veteran's Home
Taoyuan, Bade District, Taiwan
China Medical University Hospital
Taichung, Taichung City, Taiwan
Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) total score
The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) assesses behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. The NPI total score ranges from 0 to 144, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms (worse outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention), 1 week after first intervention, 1 month after first intervention, 2 months after first intervention, 3 months after first intervention, and 4 months after first intervention (also 1 month after the end of intervention)
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) total score
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) assesses global cognitive function. The MMSE total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance (better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention), 1 week after first intervention, 1 month after first intervention, 2 months after first intervention, 3 months after first intervention, and 4 months after first intervention ( also 1 month after the end of intervention).
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) total score
The Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale evaluates functional independence in daily activities such as feeding, bathing, dressing, mobility, and continence. Scoring is based on the Barthel Index method, with a total score ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate greater independence in daily activities (better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention), 1 week after first intervention, 1 month after first intervention, 2 months after first intervention, 3 months after first intervention, and 4 months after first intervention ( also 1 month after the end of intervention).
Change in psychotropic medication use
Tracks changes in the dosage and number of prescribed psychotropic medications, including antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics.
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention), 1 week after first intervention, 1 month after first intervention, 2 months after first intervention, 3 months after first intervention, and 4 months after first intervention (also 1 month after the end of intervention).
Professor of Acupuncture, China Medical University, MD, PhD
CONTACT
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