Newsletter 3rd Quarter 2016

What Others Are Saying About ARPF
Dear ARPF:

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the important work that ARPF is doing to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia related disorders. Although there are now many organizations doing research into the causes and possible cures for Alzheimer’s disease, ARPF’s focus on prevention is so important, especially to the family members of those who have suffered from the disease and fear for their own and their children’s futures. As I shared with you, several family members of mine suffered with dementia many years ago when so little was known about it.

Today, ARPF is giving hope and control to millions of people by doing the research and spreading awareness that shows us what we can do – by moving toward a healthier lifestyle, incorporating mindfulness, yoga, meditation and other diet and lifestyle changes – to stop or prevent this dreadful disease from stealing precious memories from our lives.

As I worked to lead people through the memory screenings, I was amazed at how many people were eager to get it done – some having been screened before and others for the first time. They were also eager to share their stories about family members and health history that concerns them. They were relieved to be able to confront their fears and learn from the results. I hope I was able to convey how important these screenings can be, and what can be expected from participating.

If you ever need more help with screenings, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Patricia Schuler, MA, MFT, CSP

Chandler, AZ

April 2016

Outreach Update:
2016 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference

In July 2016, Toronto was host to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®), which is “the world’s largest forum” for the dementia research community. Researchers, clinicians, care providers and students from over 70 countries gathered to network and discuss the latest dementia study results, theories and discoveries. Your ARPF was involved in several exciting ways:

• Dr. Khalsa, the ARPF President, gave a presentation at the Professional Interest Area Meeting on Behavioral Interventions, specifically: Research and Practice of Mind/Body Medicine.

• An important documentary had its North American premiere at the AAIC. Entitled, The Monster in The Mind, it was produced by Jean Carper, CNN’s original medical correspondent. ARPF was among the organizations interviewed and whose research was presented. With Ms. Carper’s professional skills and personal passion about learning all there is to know about Alzheimer’s risk factors and current treatment options, we are certain the public will be hearing more about this impressive documentary soon.

Research posters are a fundamental part of any medical conference. With live interactions happening at these sessions, beside displays showing a combination of explanations, tables, graphs, and pictures, research posters are an important way for scientists to highlight the most recent findings with their peers, educators, and students.

ARPF’s work was presented at three poster sessions during this conference:

1. A pilot research project, sponsored by ARPF at West Virginia University reported on the methodologies used and important outcomes, including: the measurable benefits of yoga meditation compared to music listening. Please see page 5 for a full description of the study and poster.
2. A pilot research study on the positive effects of yoga meditation on quality of life, cognition, and well-being carried out in Barcelona, Spain under ARPF auspices was presented in a poster session.
3. An ARPF-sponsored research study on cognitive rehabilitation, which is ongoing in some retirement communities in the greater Phoenix, AZ area, was also presented in a poster session featuring important outcomes seen when seniors are taught to practice unique brain exercises on a periodic schedule for the protection and improvement of their cognitive status.

ARPF Research Update:
Meditation vs. Music Listening for Improving Cognitive Function, Mood, Stress, Sleep and Quality of Life in Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline: Summary of Findings from a Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial
Kim E Innes, MSPH, PhD; Terry Kit Selfe, DC, PhD; Dharma S Khalsa, MD; Sahiti Kandati, BDS, MPH WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

For people who are on the lookout for warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), new research offers hope, and, even more importantly, provides yet more evidence that certain prevention tools really work. Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), the perception that one’s memory has deteriorated within the past few months or years, is a strong predictor of AD, particularly in those for whom the memory loss is a cause for concern. Moreover, older adults with SCD are also at increased risk for a host of other unwanted complications, including poor mental health, impaired sleep, and diminished quality of life, which in turn, can contribute to further deterioration in memory and other aspects of cognitive function. Unfortunately, until now, effective therapies for preventing or slowing progression of cognitive decline in populations with or at risk for AD have remained elusive, and no approved treatments exist for those with early memory loss.

Identifying low-cost therapies that can address both psychological and memory concerns early, when intervention is likely to be most effective, is of clear importance. However, although SCD may represent a critical window for intervention, trials in this population are few, and none have yet specifically assessed the effects of any mind/body therapy in adults with SCD.

However, a new study has yielded some promising results. In this 6-month trial, West Virginia University investigators assessed the potential benefits of Kirtan Kriya meditation (KK) and music listening (ML) for improving outcomes in 60 older adults with SCD and concerns regarding their memory. Participants were recruited from the community and assigned randomly to a 12-week KK or ML program. Following training in their assigned programs, participants were given a program CD and instruction brochure, and asked to practice 12 minutes a day for 12 weeks.

At the start of the program, 12 weeks after starting, and 6 months after starting, the research team measured memory and cognitive function, mood, well-being, sleep, stress, and quality of life.

Of the 60 participants, 53 (88%) completed the 6-month study. Participants completed an average of 93% of the home practice sessions in the first 12 weeks, and 71% during the 3-month, practice-optional follow-up period. Both groups showed marked and significant improvements at 12 weeks in memory and cognitive performance, as well as in sleep, well-being, and multiple domains of mood. The KK group also showed significant reductions in perceived stress and quality of life. Notably, participants assigned to KK demonstrated greater improvements in mood, well-being, stress, and quality of life than the ML group. Equally encouraging is that all improvements in memory and cognitive function, psychological status, and quality of life were maintained or further increased at 6 months.

These findings suggest that KK and ML can promote sustained improvement in memory and cognitive function, sleep, psychological status, and quality of life in adults with SCD, with the KK group showing greater improvement in mood, stress, well-being, and quality of life than the ML group. KK and ML may thus be attractive and effective tools for improving both cognitive and psychosocial outcomes in adults with preclinical memory loss. One of the best parts of this exciting news is that these tools are easy to access for adults from all walks of life seeking to take control of their health and create the best future possible for themselves and their loved ones.

Ed. Note: This is the first published paper, there will be updates published here soon.

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