Clinical Utility and Safety of an Ultrasonic Head Stimulator in Dementia With Lewy Bodies.

BACKGROUND

The potential of Ultra-Ma, an ultrasonic head stimulator, for the supplementary treatment of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) was evaluated in patients with various symptoms under poor control by drug therapy.

METHODS

Patients with DLB treated with choline esterase inhibitor or L-DOPA, either alone or in combination, and who met inclusion criteria were enrolled. Four weeks of placebo stimulation was followed by 8 weeks of active ultrasonic stimulation and a 4-week follow-up. Primary endpoints were the effects of ultrasonic head stimulation on both cognitive dysfunction and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Cognitive dysfunction was evaluated using the Japanese versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and BPSD was assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Brief Questionnaire Form. For cognitive fluctuations, the Cognitive Fluctuation Inventory served as an index. Improvements in parkinsonism, activities of daily living, and caregiver burden were examined as secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were enrolled. The primary endpoint was significantly improved during the active stimulation period, as were secondary endpoint ratings for parkinsonism and caregiver burden. No notable adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that ultrasonic head stimulation has supplementary potential when combined with drug treatment in DLB.