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FreeYourMindUK Asked November 2020

Any experiences with hypnotherapy or Havening for dementia and Alzheimer's?

Hi, a client recently asked me if hypnotherapy or Havening (two techniques I use to help clients with anger, anxiety, etc) help with dementia or Alzheimers.
I've hunted around for research and found very little (Dr Nightingale/Dr Duff in 2007 has some great results).
My Googling also found an AgingCare forum from 2016, which is now closed. Comments also suggested there's just not much information out there.
I was wondering if anyone has found some useful information since?
My gut feeling would be that calming anyone's subconscious mind is likely to help them think and feel better, but I'd love to see research or your experiences...

FreeYourMindUK Nov 2020
Just wondering if anyone in the forum knows of any research or anecdotal views on the use of hypnosis / Havening / meditation / mindfulness for Alzheimers or Dementia?
I certainly wasn't suggesting dementia is not neurodegenerative, so I'm a little confused by the comments made.
The Duff/Nightingale research, which was measuring "Quality of Life" is summarised here: https://www.ecmmagonline.co.uk/contents/item/152231-hypnotherapy-in-dementia-care

Geaton777 Nov 2020
Ditto to both comments below. What do you consider "great results"? Scientifically it has to be a carefully constructed, well-run clinical study over time involving more than a few people. And the results have to be replicatable by another, independent study or else it implies the first study results were not accurate.

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sjplegacy Nov 2020
What would be the goal of your techniques? I completely agree with Shane. AD is a disease that kills off brain neurons and clogs up the synapses to prevent neuron commuunication. The pathways are destroyed. Anger, anxiety, depression, etc., are emotional issues that may be treated with hypnotherapy or CBT. AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease where recovery of those pathways is impossible. The same pretty much applies to the other dementia related diseases.

Shane1124 Nov 2020
There is probably no research because it wouldn’t be possible. You’d have to set up and monitor a control group, follow them and get consistent feedback from them to monitor for effectiveness. I’m not sure those patients could follow direction enough or remember events in the past to give any feedback that is scientifically valid. The pathways in the brain are damaged. You are assuming the brain synapses are functioning normally which they are not. Establishing a baseline would be difficult.

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