Changes of Cognitive Brain Functions in the Elderly by Kneipp Therapy Introduction: Pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment of brain syndrome is multifarious. Until now, plain external applications of physical stimuli, as used daily in geriatric care, were not explored regarding their influence on cognitive brain function.The aim of this randomized cross-over study was to examine the influence of dermatoreceptive stimuli on cognitive brain function of healty geriatric volunteers. Methods: 24 healthy volunteers (23 women, 1 man) were randomized into 2 groups (cross-over design). Group A (mean age ± SD: 68.8 ± 6.2 years) was treated according to the following regime: at first a 10–12 °C cold stimulus for 10 s (a so-called Kneipp face shower) and afterwards a cold wet pack of 10–12 °C at the neck for 1 min. Group B (age 69.8 ± 5.3 years) was subjected to an identical procedure but with warm thermoindifferent temperatures of 34–36 °C. After 1 week the two groups were interchanged. The parameters of interest were the critical flicker frequency (CFF) and the latencies of the event-related P300 potentials of the visually evoked potentials (VEP), which can be considered the electroencephalographic substrate of the cognitive functional ability. The CFFs and the P300 latencies and amplitudes were measured directly before and 10 min after the application of the above-mentioned stimuli. Furthermore, the CFFs were recorded a second and third time 30 and 60 min later. Results: Following application of cold-water stimuli, the CFF increased from (mean ± SE) 32.55 ± 0.44 s-1 to 33.06 ± 0.44 s-1 (p = 0.003) 10 min after the stimulus. 30 min later the CFF was still elevated at 32.95 ± 0.47 s-1 (p = 0.043). The P300 latencies decreased by 4.8% (p < 0.001) after cold-water application from 266.5 ± 5.28 to 253.7 ± 4.22 ms. After warm stimuli they increased from 258.69 ± 3.71 to 266.17 ± 5.03 ms (p = 0.01). The P300 amplitudes were elevated by 5% only with the cold stimuli (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Cold water applied locally to face and neck region is able to provoke significant improvements of cognitive abilities.

Journal Section:
Original Article · Originalarbeit
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2001 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
2001
You do not currently have access to this content.