Motor Effects of REAC in Advanced Alzheimer's Disease: Results From a Pilot Trial

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Olazarán, Javier^{a; b; *} | González, Belén^a | López-Álvarez, Jorge^a | Castagna, Alessandro^c | Osa-Ruiz, Emma^a | Herrero-Cano, Vanesa^a | Agüera-Ortiz, Luis^{a; d} | Rinaldi, Salvatore^c | Martínez-Martín, Pablo^{a; e} | AD Research Unit Investigators¹

Affiliations: [a] Alzheimer Disease Research Unit, Alzheimer Center Reina Sofía Foundation, CIEN Foundation, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain | [b] Service of Neurology, University Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain | [c] Department of Neuro Psycho Physical Optimization and Department of Regenerative Medicine, Rinaldi Fontani Institute, Florence, Italy | [d] CIBERSAM | [e] CIBERSAM

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Javier Olazarán, Unidad de Investigación Proyecto Alzheimer, Centro Alzheimer Fundación Reina Sofía, Valderrebollo 5, 28031 Madrid, Spain. Tel.: +34 913852200; Fax: +34 913852118; E-mail: jolazaran@fundacioncien.es.

Note: [1] AD Research Unit Investigators: María Ascensión Zea, Miguel Ángel Fernández, Marina Ávila, Belén Frades, Irene Rodríguez, Almudena Pérez, Meritxell Valentí, and José Luis Dobato.

Abstract: We conducted a pilot, randomized, controlled trial to mainly investigate the feasibility, safety, and short-term motor effects of brain stimulation with radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology in patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease (AD) who also experience some gait dysfunction. Neuropostural optimization (NPO) or sham protocol was administered to 31 nursing home patients (mean [SD] age 84.7 [7.0], 77.4% female, 6.5% moderate dementia, 51.6% moderately severe dementia, and 41.9% severe dementia). Motor, cognitive, functional, and behavioral measures were conducted at baseline (T1), immediately after treatment (T2), and 1–3 weeks after treatment (T3). There was transitory dysfunction in axial movements at T2 in the experimental group with no other differences between the experimental group and the control group in the planned analyses. However, after reanalysis of data based on outcome, improvement in capacity of walking was observed at T3 in the experimental group (p < 0.05). NPO administration was comfortable and safe. These results warrant further research with NPO and other REAC protocols to improve motor deterioration in AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, brain stimulation, gait dysfunction, motor performance, neuropostural optimization, nursing homes, radio electric asymmetric conveyer

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-130077

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 297-302, 2013