Alzheimer’s patients have problems with memory, but still feel emotions, according to the results of a new scientific study published in the medical journal Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology. This is why it is essential that caregivers and relatives be sensitive to the emotional life of patients and convey positive emotions.
Researchers at the University of Iowa performed an extremely simple experiment. They showed 20 minutes of funny or sad video to 17 patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
They observed the behavior and reactions of the participants during the viewing. Depending on the scenes, the patients all expressed their sadness or joy. Five minutes after the session, the researchers passed a memory test to the patients. And, if none of them were able to remember the film, they did remember the emotions they felt.
The researchers also found that unfortunately, the most lasting emotions are associated with sadness rather than joy.
The entourage of patients must create a positive environment
“The results of this study reveal that emotion persists well beyond the memory of patients with Alzheimer’s disease explains Edmarie Guzmán-Vélez, doctor in clinical psychology at the University of Iowa and co-author of the study. “The emotional life of patients must be taken into account by relatives, doctors and caregivers. They must promote positive emotional experiences and avoid provoking or generating distressing or negative situations”.
In France, according to the latest figures from the National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm), 860,000 people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and the number of patients is expected to reach two million in 2020. Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases are the leading cause of age-related loss of intellectual functions.
