EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE-STIMULATION ON MEMORY AND AFFECTIVE BEHAVIOR IN PATIENTS WITH PROBABLE ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

The present study investigated whether a 30-minute-a-day transcutaneou s electrical nerve stimulation (short-term TENS) might improve disturb ances in memory and affective behaviour in patients with probable Alzh eimer's disease. The hypothesis was derived from former studies in whi ch beneficial effects on memory and affective behaviour of Alzheimer p atients were found after a daily application of 6-h TENS and a 30-min tactile stimulation. The present data reveal that short-term TENS impr oved some aspects of verbal and visual short-term and long-term memory . Moreover, patients who had undergone this treatment felt, e.g., less dejected, less gloomy, less irritable, more cheerful, more active, an d more alert. They were also more interested in social contacts and pa rticipated more in daily activities. After a period of 6 weeks followi ng treatment, the effects on memory as well as the improvements in aff ective behaviour partially remained.