Dementia / Alzheimer's disease

Overview
Dementia is a condition characterized by progressive loss of memory and function. Dementia can be caused by strokes (vascular dementia) and degeneration (Alzheimer's disease).

 

Treatment options
Unfortunately, there aren’t any well-established treatments to reverse the process.

Acupuncture
Multiple clinical trials were performed to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture. Some researches showed significant improvement (> 10 points) of the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score in 50% of patients.
 

Treatment objects
Dementia is a progressive disease, which is unlikely to be permanently reversed or cured. The goal is to maintain current functional status and improve cognitive function, i.e. 10 points in MMSE.
 

Treatment protocol
The initial protocol varies according to severity. Severe dementia (MMSE <12) - daily treatments may be required for 4 weeks, then reassess Moderate dementia (MMSE 13-20) - 3 times per week for 4 weeks, then reassess Mild dementia (MMSE 20-24) - twice per week for 4 weeks, then reassess
 

The frequency may decrease to weekly, fortnightly or monthly when maximal effect achieved.
 

* Patients with impaired verbal communication may not be suitable for the treatment due to inability to provide feedback during treatments
 

Safety
Acupuncture is a well-tolerated safe treatment. Patients experience pain less than intra-muscular injection and blood tests. However, patients may experience acupuncture-specific sensation, De Qi, which might feel like vague tingling and lasts seconds.
 

The risk of bleeding is low, regardless of anti-platelet or anti-coagulation therapies. Please advise us if you are taking any blood thinners.
 

Fee
1st treatment of the week - $250
Subsequent treatments of the week - $150
Weekly - Monthly maintenance treatment - $200

Medicare rebate - $107.25 per treatment
 

*Patients are encouraged to contact Medicare for Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN). 80% rebate of the out-of-pocket fee may be claimed when the threshold is reached.

http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Factsheet-EMSN1Jan2020