Use of alternative therapies in patients with dementia and mild cognitive impairment: a prospective, controlled study

To study the frequency and type of alternative therapies used in patients with dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

In a prospective study, 77 outpatients and 62 healthy volunteers were interviewed using a questionnaire concerning frequency, type and motivation of the use of alternative therapies.

47% of patients and 18% of control subjects used alternative therapies to treat or prevent disturbances of memory (p < 0.001). No correlation could be found between use of alternative medicine and professional education, severity of disease, religion or health insurance status (p > 0.05). The most commonly used substances were vitamins. Side effects remained unreported. 52% of patients were treated with conventional medications. Only 44% of the patients informed their physician about the use of alternative medicine.

The use of alternative therapies, particularly vitamins, and herbal preparations of unknown efficacy is common among patients with dementia and MCI. Hence, the treating physician should actively inquire about their use as some preparations have pharmacological activity or could interact with other prescribed medications.