Spirituality, religious practice may slow progression of AD

From the American Academy of Neurology: Spirituality and the practice of religion may help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, according to research that was presented at the American Academy of Neurology 57th Annual Meeting in Miami Beach, Florida April 9th through 16th.

The study assessed 68 people aged 49 through 94 who met criteria for probable Alzheimer's diseaes. Religion and spirituality were measured with the validated Duke University Religioun Index and the Overall Self-Ranking subscale from the Fetzer Brief Multidimensional Measure of Relighiousness and Spirituality. These methods collected information on the patients' practices such as attendance at religious services and events and private religious activities.

"We learned that the patients with higher levels of spirituality or greater involvement in formalized religion have a significantly slower progression of cognitive decline," says study author Yakir Kaufman, MD, who conducted the research as a fellow at the Baycrest Center for Geriatric Care in Toronto, Ontario and is now the director of neurology services at the Sarah Herzog Memorial Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel.

"Spirituality and religion have been linked to better overall health outcomes," says Kaufman. "Our research addressed the question whether this link is also relevant in Alzheimer's diseae."

"The study findings may warrant an interventional study looking at the possible effect of enhancement of spiritual well-being as a means of slowing cognitive decline, " says Kaufman.

Other studies have linked a positive outlook on life, hopeful attitudes and feelings of being supported and cared for as a method to decrease the risk of memory impairing illness such as Alzheiemr's disease. Spirituality and religion generally foster these positive feelings and offer tools for positive coping skills.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com

For more information about Elderwood Senior Cares' programs and services, please contact us at (716)633-3900.