4 Body Sense
B O D Y T A L K
In a review article published in the
November/December 2020 issue
of Alternative Therapies in Health and
Medicine, researchers examined the
role of massage therapy in attenuating
aggression and related behavioral
disorders in patients with dementia.
The review authors state an "essential
feature of dementia is a significant
decline in a patient's cognitive ability,
and communicating among patients
through language becomes virtually
ineffective. Scientists have examined
The authors conclude: "The
employment of massage therapy—
either alone or in combination with
aromatherapy or calming music—
can significantly decrease agitation,
aggression, stress, and anxiety in
patients with dementia. Moreover,
massage therapy can also be beneficial
for nursing personnel involved in
taking care of patients with dementia.
The combination of massage with
aromatherapy seems to impart the
most significant results in patients with
dementia." Read the full study online.
Massage Helps Ease Aggression and Other Symptoms in Dementia Patients
techniques to maintain communication
with patients with dementia at a basic
level, such as through gentle touch in
the form of massage."
The review examined studies that
implemented massage therapy, either
alone or in conjunction with other
nonpharmacological interventions such
as aromatherapy or calming music,
as a treatment for dementia-related
behavioral disorders.
