REVIEW

Complementary and alternative medicine for Alzheimer's disease: an overview of systematic reviews

  1. Paul Posadzki BSc, MSc, PhD Honorary Researcher, Complementary Medicine1,*,
  2. Edzard Ernst MD, PhD, FMedSci, FSB, FRCP, FRCPEd Editor-in-chief of FACT, Emeritus Professor1,
  3. Myeong Soo Lee PhD Honorary University Fellow, Complementary Medicine1,2

Article first published online: 8 NOV 2012

DOI: 10.1111/fct.12001

Issue

Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Volume 17, Issue 4, pages 186–191, December 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Posadzki, P., Ernst, E. and Lee, M. S. (2012), Complementary and alternative medicine for Alzheimer's disease: an overview of systematic reviews. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 17: 186–191. doi: 10.1111/fct.12001

Author Information

  1. 1

    Peninsula Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

  2. 2

    Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of South Korea

*E-mail: paul.posadzki@pcmd.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 NOV 2012
  2. Article first published online: 8 NOV 2012

Funded by

  • Pilkington Family Trust, UK
  • Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, South Korea. Grant Number: K11111

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Keywords:

  • Alzheimer's disease;
  • complementary and alternative medicine;
  • effectiveness;
  • systematic reviews

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this overview was to critically evaluate the literature on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for Alzheimer's disease.

Method

Four electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant systematic reviews of effectiveness of CAM for Alzheimer's disease. Reviews were defined as systematic if they included explicit and repeatable criteria for the selection of primary studies. The methodological quality of reviews was assessed using the Oxman criteria for systematic reviews.

Results

Six systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. Most reviews were of high quality. Three reviews arrived at ambiguous conclusions, two arrived at positive conclusions and one reached a negative conclusion.

Conclusions

Evidence supporting the effectiveness of CAM for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease is ambiguous. Since some herbal medicines show promise in the management of Alzheimer's disease, future research seems justified.

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