Influence of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on memory in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type.
This study examined the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on memory in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type. It was hypothesized that, in the early stage of the illness, electrical stimulation could activate the affected cortical regions by stimulating the neurotransmitter systems projecting to these areas. The results reveal that electrical stimulation improves the verbal long-term memory in these patients. Moreover, verbal fluency improves more in patients who received electrical stimulation than in patients who received control treatment. However, electrical stimulation does not influence the visual long-term memory of the patients, nor does it affect their verbal and nonverbal short-term memory. Underlying theoretical mechanisms are discussed.
Institute of Physiotherapy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
E J
EJ
Scherder
A
A
Bouma
L
L
Steen
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents