Acupuncture and Acupressure for Dementia Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms: A Scoping Review.
Melissa L Harris, Marita G Titler, Laura M Struble
PMID 31802723WHAT IT FOUND
Interventions including acupuncture or acupressure were linked to reported improvements in agitation, sleep, mood, or daily function in 15 dementia studies, but varied designs cannot confirm benefit.
Key findings
0115 studies of people with dementia, totaling 1154 participants, examined acupuncture or acupressure for BPSD.
02Agitation was measured in 6 studies, and all 6 reported significant improvement.
03ADL function was measured in 8 studies, and 6 reported significant improvement.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This was a scoping review, not a meta-analysis, and it included studies irrespective of quality. Some interventions combined acupuncture or acupressure with donepezil, massage, Montessori-based activities, or aromatherapy, so the effect of any single component cannot be separated. Most studies were done in China and in long-term care, so results may not apply to home care or Western health systems. Intervention details varied, including acupoints, dose, and who delivered treatment. Outcome measures were inconsistent across studies.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that acupuncture or acupressure treats dementia symptoms. The review included varied studies, some with multiple treatments, and the authors state the evidence is insufficient to determine efficacy.