Dementia
Dementia is a condition categorized within neurological health. Research related to it includes memory, behavioral performance, biochemical markers, and possible links between thiamine depletion and brain iron overload.
See how Dementia is categorized within neurological health and begin with a focused overview of the condition.
This list shows research findings, not treatments. Nothing here replaces medical care. If you have this condition, talk to a doctor.
What may help
What studies found for each option, best evidence first.
14 options:5 some evidence8 not enough evidence1 not tested in people
AcupuncturepracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 3 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
Pooled data from 13 randomized trials in patients with PSVD showed improved cognitive scores on MMSE and MoCA, though the authors noted limited certainty. A separate analysis found cognitive improvement when acupuncture was combined with conventional treatment compared with standard care.
Open the Acupuncture pageDancepracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Large
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
5 of 6 studies found a benefit; 1 found none.
Pooled findings reported improvements in cognition and depression across people with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, but most studies in one analysis enrolled people with mild cognitive impairment, limiting generalizability to dementia. Another review found no difference in its primary neuropsychiatric symptom outcome versus waiting list or exercise, although a secondary depression subscale improved; certainty was low due to indirectness and imprecision.
Open the Dance pageGardening TherapypracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Medium
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 11 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A 2017 meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies reported positive affect outcomes in two studies involving people with dementia. A 2022 meta-analysis of randomized trials did not support the authors’ recommendation for this approach in older adults with dementia.
Open the Gardening Therapy pageSocial DancingpracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 6 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A review focused on older people with dementia living in care homes, and a randomized trial enrolled 60 older adults with dementia. The reported findings identify who was studied but do not describe an outcome or an effect of dance.
Open the Social Dancing pageTai ChipracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Small
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 2 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
Open the Tai Chi pageCardiopracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
1 of 2 studies found a benefit; 1 found none.
A pooled analysis whose designs were not recorded found improved cognitive function, but not physical performance. Findings disagree across outcomes: a separate review found no significant improvement in MMSE scores and identified resistance training and Tai Chi, rather than aerobic exercise specifically, as the effective modalities.
Open the Cardio pageQigongpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
Pooled randomized trials reported cognitive improvement with Tai Chi or Qigong in people with dementia.
Open the Qigong pageStrength TrainingpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
1 of 3 studies found a benefit; 2 found none.
A review found resistance training improved MMSE, MoCA, and CAMCOG scores in people with Dementia. Findings conflict with another review: Fit4Alz found no significant cognitive benefit, DAPA reported slightly greater cognitive decline in the exercise group, and that review concluded exercise should not be recommended specifically to improve cognition in dementia.
Open the Strength Training page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What may help
Interventions recorded as helping with this condition14 listedMost likely to help, from the evidence we have
- →PracticesAcupunctureCertaintyMediumSourceRCT
Pooled data from 13 randomized trials in patients with PSVD showed improved cognitive scores on MMSE and MoCA, though the authors noted limited certainty. A separate analysis found cognitive improvement when acupuncture was combined with conventional treatment compared with standard care.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Dementia
Open AcupunctureStudy result
Pooled data from 13 RCTs in patients with PSVD showed cognitive score improvements (MMSE, MoCA) with acupuncture, with the authors noting limited certainty.
- →PracticesDanceCertaintyMediumSourceRCTLarge effect
Pooled findings reported improvements in cognition and depression across people with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, but most studies in one analysis enrolled people with mild cognitive impairment, limiting generalizability to dementia. Another review found no difference in its primary neuropsychiatric symptom outcome versus waiting list or exercise, although a secondary depression subscale improved; certainty was low due to indirectness and imprecision.
How big is the effect
Large effectA big difference on average. Check how strong the evidence is.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Alzheimers Disease
- Dementia
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
Open DanceStudy result
Included studies merged MCI and dementia; most studies enrolled MCI, limiting generalizability to dementia. Dance showed significant pairwise benefits in the combined population.
- →PracticesGardening TherapyCertaintyMediumSourceRCTModerate effect
A 2017 meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized human studies reported positive affect outcomes in two studies involving people with dementia. A 2022 meta-analysis of randomized trials did not support the authors’ recommendation for this approach in older adults with dementia.
How big is the effect
Moderate effectA clear difference on average.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Alzheimers Disease
- Cancer
- Dementia
- Depression
- Elderly
- Frailty
- +4 more
Open Gardening TherapyStudy result
Two studies included people with dementia and reported positive affect outcomes.
- →PracticesTai ChiCertaintyMediumSourceClinicalSmall effect
A subgroup analysis found a small effect in participants with dementia (SMD=0.31 (95% CI 0.27-0.35), p<0.001), although only 3 of 19 included studies focused on older adults with dementia. A review of research in people with mild dementia reported reduced arthritis pain and slower dementia progression, but neurocognitive effects remained inconclusive.
How big is the effect
Small effectA small but noticeable difference on average.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Dementia
Open Tai ChiStudy result
Subgroup analysis: dementia SMD=0.31 (95% CI 0.27-0.35), p<0.001; 3 of 19 included studies focused on elderly with dementia.
Low probability(9)
- →PracticesCardioCertaintyLowSourceRCTLarge effect
A pooled analysis whose designs were not recorded found improved cognitive function (SMD=0.80, 95% CI 0.23-1.37, p=0.006), but not physical performance. Findings disagree across outcomes: a separate review found no significant improvement in MMSE scores (SMD 0.44, 95% CI −0.21 to 1.09) and identified resistance training and Tai Chi, rather than aerobic exercise specifically, as the effective modalities.
How big is the effect
Large effectA big difference on average. Check how strong the evidence is.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open CardioStudy result
Aerobic exercise significantly improved cognitive function (SMD=0.80, 95% CI 0.23-1.37, p=0.006) but not physical performance; GRADE certainty low to very low.
- →PracticesQigongCertaintyLowSourceRCT
Pooled randomized trials reported cognitive improvement with Tai Chi or Qigong in people with dementia.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Dementia
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Parkinsons Disease
- Stroke
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Open QigongStudy result
Pooled RCTs reported cognitive improvement with tai chi/Qigong in dementia.
- →PracticesStrength TrainingCertaintyLowSourceRCTModerate effect
A review found resistance training improved MMSE, MoCA, and CAMCOG scores in people with Dementia (SMD 0.60, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.95). Findings conflict with another review: Fit4Alz found no significant cognitive benefit, DAPA reported slightly greater cognitive decline in the exercise group (ADAS-Cog +1.4, p=0.03), and that review concluded exercise should not be recommended specifically to improve cognition in dementia.
How big is the effect
Moderate effectA clear difference on average.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open Strength TrainingStudy result
Resistance training significantly improved MMSE, MoCA, and CAMCOG scores (SMD 0.60, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.95) in dementia patients compared to non-exercise controls (moderate-quality evidence).
- →PracticesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)CertaintyLowSourceClinical
In a trial involving 29 people with dementia, the ACT group improved in anxiety, stress, and caregiver burden compared with its own baseline, but differences from the comparison group were not significant.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Study result
Significant within-group reductions in DASS-21 anxiety (p=.008), stress (p=.012), and ZBI-12 burden (p=.011) in the ACT group; between-group differences not significant
- →PracticesBrain Games / PuzzlesCertaintyLowSourceClinical
In a quasi-experimental study, 14 people with mild to moderate dementia played cognitive games and interacted with a robot; greater movement correlated with higher observational engagement scores. A separate pilot involving 19 people living with dementia tested the intervention only in this group.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Dementia
Open Brain Games / PuzzlesStudy result
Study population was people living with dementia; the intervention was tested in this group only.
- →PracticesCyclingCertaintyLowSourceClinical
In an RCT involving 20 women with dementia, seated cycling was associated with within-group improvements in 5xSTS and lower limb strength.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Dementia
Open CyclingStudy result
Primary 5xSTS and lower limb strength improved within the seated cycling group in women with dementia, with the abstract reporting improvement in this clinical population; the trial is small and abstract p-values are not legible.
- →PracticesFinnish SaunaCertaintyLowSourceClinical
An observational cohort of 2,315 people found lower dementia hazard among those having 4-7 sauna sessions per week.
Who was studied
- Healthy people
Open Finnish SaunaStudy result
Dementia incidence was the primary outcome; lower hazard observed at 4-7 sessions per week in an observational cohort.
- →PracticesMobility TrainingCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A feasibility study in 20 people with Dementia found the DESKK mobility programme acceptable and usable in respite care, with initial positive findings especially for upper limb functionality. Results differed across measures: an RCT in 146 people found no preliminary improvement on PAM-RC and was not powered to test efficacy.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Dementia
Open Mobility TrainingStudy result
Pilot feasibility study showing the DESKK mobility programme was acceptable and usable for PwD in a respite care setting, with some positive initial summative findings, especially for upper limb functionality.
- →PracticesRed Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)CertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Photobiomodulation is described as a potential non-pharmacological approach to slowing cognitive decline in early neurodegenerative conditions.
Open Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)Study result
Photobiomodulation is used as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for slowing cognitive decline in early neurodegenerative conditions.
What to avoid
Interventions recorded as making it worseNothing in this library is currently recorded as making Dementia worse. Coverage is partial, and absence here is not evidence of safety.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Dementia is a condition categorized within neurological health. Research related to it includes memory, behavioral performance, biochemical markers, and possible links between thiamine depletion and brain iron overload. These areas represent proposed or investigated relationships, not a definition of dementia or proof that a supplement treats it. The evidence includes theoretical proposals and animal research, so findings may not apply directly to people. Consult a clinician with questions about this medical condition.
Evidence-backed options
The options associated with Dementia are supported mainly by theoretical reasoning, animal studies, or evidence that does not clearly apply to people with dementia. Choline (Bitartrate) and Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) are discussed as possible approaches based on proposed biological considerations rather than established treatment findings. Milk Thistle (Silymarin) showed potential in a scopolamine-induced dementia model in animals, so its relevance to human dementia remains uncertain.
The clinical evidence is also limited. Lavender Extract, delivered topically as high-strength, pure lavender oil, had no discernible effect on affect and behaviour. For Drink Enough Water, a review found insufficient evidence to determine whether findings from care homes applied to people with dementia, and no specific environmental or behavioral modification could be identified because of the quantity and quality of the evidence. Glutathione has an especially indirect evidence base here: there are no trials of glutathione supplementation for the treatment of HIV encephalopathy, which does not establish an effect in Dementia.
No dosing schedule, treatment duration, or time to any effect is established in these summaries. Overall, the options should be viewed as areas of limited or preliminary evidence rather than confirmed treatments, and the findings may not apply equally across different causes or stages of dementia. Consultation with a clinician is appropriate for any medical condition.