Research suggests dementia treatment has no benefit

Researchers in Wales have published findings suggesting that a method used in the treatment of Alzheimer's and dementia is ineffective and may even cause excess stress and anxiety in patients and their carers.

Reminiscence therapy is widely used in the UK and is accepted by the American Psychological Association as a treatment for dementia patients but research published in the December 2012 edition of the Health Technology Assessment journal found no evidence to suggest the therapy had any beneficial impact on a person diagnosed with dementia.

Professor Robert Woods, who led the study at Bangor University, believes research should be conducted into methods to address the problems faced by carers who are dealing with dementia patients.

He said: "The results of the current trial suggest that other approaches to enhancing relationships between people with dementia and their carers need to be explored."

Prof Woods also said that the "stresses and anxieties" experienced by carers should be investigated.