Suitable patients are referred to our study through the Alzheimer's Association support groups, by memory disorders clinics, participating neurologists and other physicians and clinicians. Overall it is hoped that this therapeutic intervention will contribute to increasing the quality of life for people with ADRD, and indirectly that of their caregivers, through improving mood, behavioral symptoms and sense of well-being and possibly cognitive and physical functioning as well. The acupuncture treatment will take approximately 30-45 minutes, longer for scalp acupuncture treatments. For the body and ear treatment, the patient will be seated in a portable, reclining chair or, if treated in one s residence, will lie down on a bed to encourage complete relaxation. The acupuncture needles are sterile, disposable and made of steel.
Every needle is used only once.
The patient will feel no substantial pain, but may experience a little pinch, soreness or warmth in the area. For ear acupuncture, after the needles are removed, small steel or herbal balls will be placed on the key pressure points with adhesive and remain there until the next treatment. To evaluate the efficacy of the treatments, subjects are assessed 3 times in the course of the study. Subjects are given a thorough neurological and psychological evaluation by neurologists and psychologists and a trained research interviewer. These assessments also include interviews with the caregiver to obtain their perceptions of the patient s mood and behaviors, and functioning.