Non-pharmacological therapeutic strategy options for patients with dementia based on cognitive function-A Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Ageing Res Rev. 2019 Dec:56:100965. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2019.100965. Epub 2019 Oct 31.

Abstract

Dementia represents one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in older adults. However, it is still unclear whether non-pharmacological therapies (NPTs) are effective or not and which treatment should be preferred. We applied a series of search strategies to identify eligible randomized controlled trials on 1st October, 2018, investigating the effects of NPTs of dementia in the older persons. Pairwise and network meta-analyses were sequentially performed. A total of 31 trials were included, which enrolled 1895 participants and 7 NPTs. Compared with control group, all the NPTs included were statistically beneficial to cognitive function, and our study indicated Comprehensive Therapy(CT) [the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA = 92.42%)] might be the best choice for dementia patients. Our study suggests CT might be the optimal NPT for improving the cognitive function of dementia patients. However, the above conclusions need to be further analyzed.

Keywords: Alzheimers disease; Bayesian network meta-analysis; Dementia; Non-pharmacological therapies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology
  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Cognition*
  • Dementia / psychology
  • Dementia / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome