Combined therapies in family practice and hospitals. A controlled clinical study of a population of 162 patients with criteria of age-related memory disorders
Israel L, Myslinski M, Dubos G, Melac M.
Institut de Psychologie,
Universite Lumiere Lyon II, Bron. Presse Med 1997 Sep 6;26(25):1186-91
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess the combination of drug and cognitive therapy on age-associated memory impairment (AAMI).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A double-blind randomized trial was performed involving 162 patients with age-associated memory impairment selected and followed by their general practitioners. Two intervention methods-a drug and a cognitive therapy-were assessed in combination. Three randomized parallel groups of 54 patients each, aged 55 years and over, were followed and treated for 3 months. After a placebo washout period of 10 days, one group received 2.4 g of
piracetam, another group, 4.8 g and the third, a placebo.
RESULTS: A total of 135 patients, 45 in each group, completed the study. Combined therapy was most effective in patients whose baseline performance on memory tests was lowest. The best results were observed with
piracetam combined with memory training. This result confirmed by the global impression of the principal investigator was in agreement with
findings of previous double-blind placebo-controlled trials assessing the combined effect of drug treatment and memory training.
CONCLUSION: This result confirmed by the global impression of the principal investigator was in agreement with findings of previous double-blind placebo-controlled trials assessing the combined effect of drug treatment and memory training.
