A study to investigate the efficacy of low power laser (LPL) therapy for senile dementia ( SD ) patients

Abstract

We irradiated LPL 3-4 times a week at acupuncture points (4 points at the head) of 32 SD patients. (20 cerebrovascular disease type, 12 Alzheimer type)
A group; 4 months irradiation, B group; 2 months irradiation 1 month rest and 1 month irradiation, C group; 2 months irradiation and 2 mopnths rest.
SD levels of all patients were evaluated using 4 kinds of scales such as Hasegawa, ADL, standing balance and walking speed at the start of test and at the end of each month 5 times in total.
We found statistically significant difference between the SD level of A and C group in the combined score of 4 scales, ADL and speed being suggested the efficacy of LPL therapy for SD patients. There were no statiscally significant difference between cerebrovascular disease type and Alzheimer type groups and slight class and middle class SD groups.