Review: The Application of Sensory Stimulation in The Intervention of Alzheimer’s Disease
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1)School of Teacher Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China;2)Neurorehabilitation Department, Ningbo Rehabilitation Hospital, Ningbo 315040, China;3)Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China;4)Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

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This work was supported by grants from The National Natural Science Foundation of China (32171035), Science Foundation of Ningbo Rehabilitation Hospital (2022KY02), Agricultural and Social Development Science and Technology Project of Yinzhou District (2022AS025), Major Special Project of “Science and Technology Innovation 2025” in Ningbo City (2019B10034), Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology Techniques in Zhejiang Province (202202), and the K. C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University.

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    Abstract:

    Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease, and drug therapy is currently the main strategy for AD treatment, but it only has a delaying or alleviating effect. This article aims to review the effects of various sensory stimulation and multisensory stimulation on AD, and explain possible mechanisms to provide new ideas for further research. The results show that light stimulation therapy mainly improves the sleep-wake cycle of AD patients, thereby improving their agitation and restlessness. However, some studies have shown only statistical improvement without significant clinical implications. This may be due to different stages of AD in the subjects studied. Light therapy has a more significant effect on early-stage AD patients, so light therapy can be used to improve their sleep and mood. However, light therapy may also exacerbate circadian rhythm disturbances in AD patients, and its effectiveness is influenced by seasonality, with daytime light intensity affecting its efficacy. Olfactory stimulation therapy is a safe and effective treatment for AD, mainly used to improve memory in AD patients. This is mainly because olfactory stimulation can stimulate neurons between the olfactory bulb and the limbic system, and activate the amygdala-hippocampus complex, olfactory cortex, and temporal lobe, which are physiologically related to memory, thereby improving memory in AD patients. Olfactory stimulation therapy is particularly suitable for severe AD patients, and each AD patient may have a different response to olfactory stimulation, so personalized treatment based on patient preferences and tolerability is needed. Sound stimulation therapy mainly involves music stimulation, which has positive effects on AD patients. It may improve music memory, promote brain plasticity, and improve patients’ mood and cognitive function by regulating the release of chemicals. Music stimulation therapy can improve cognition and mood in patients with AD, and different types of music can have different effects on AD treatment. Therefore, targeted treatment using different music can be adopted in music therapy for AD, and it can be observed that the longer the duration of music therapy, the longer the duration of its effects. Therefore, music therapy can be integrated into the daily lives of AD patients to achieve long-lasting effects. Rhythm stimulation can improve anxiety levels and enhance cognitive abilities in mild to moderate AD patients. Multisensory stimulation mainly includes the design of multisensory activity rooms such as Snoezelen and therapeutic gardens, as well as dynamic and interactive virtual environments created by virtual reality (VR) technology, which integrate the therapeutic effects of single sensory stimulation. However, when using multisensory stimulation, factors such as practical application scenarios and duration need to be carefully considered.

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GUO Rong-Xia, TANG Min, WANG Zheng-Chun, WANG He, LI Wan-Yi, Li Juan, WANG Qin-Wen.Review: The Application of Sensory Stimulation in The Intervention of Alzheimer’s Disease[J]. Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics,2023,50(10):2325-2335

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History
  • Received:July 10,2023
  • Revised:September 27,2023
  • Accepted:September 22,2023
  • Online: October 20,2023
  • Published: October 20,2023