ムラヤマ ノリオ    Murayama Norio
   村山 憲男
   所属
人間社会学部 心理学科
 
生活機構研究科 心理学専攻
 
生活心理研究所 所属教員
 
生活機構研究科 生活機構学専攻
   職種
准教授
言語種別 英語
発行・発表の年月 2011/03
形態種別 学術雑誌
査読 査読あり
標題 Effect of Rikkunshi-to on appetite loss found in elderly dementia patients: a preliminary study
執筆形態 共著
掲載誌名 Psychogeriatrics
掲載区分国外
巻・号・頁 11,pp.34-39
著者・共著者 Yushi UTUMI, Eizo ISEKI, Norio MURAYAMA, Motohiro NOZAWA, Ryo KUMAGAI, Yoichiro MATSUBARA, Yosuke ICHIMIYA, Heii ARAI
概要 Background: Functional gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently found in elderly dementia patients. In such a case, we attempt treatment by the administration of antidepressants or second-generation antipsychotics. However, these medications have a risk of side-effects. In the present study, we carried out oral administration of Rikkunshi-to to elderly dementia patients with appetite loss, and examined its effects on food intake.
Methods: Six elderly dementia patients were recruited from inpatients. They showed appetite loss, but no organic abnormalities of the gastrointestinal organs. These patients were given Rikkunshi-to, at 7.5 g per day, t.i.d. for 4 weeks. We examined the food intake, weight, total protein, albumin and potassium in plasma before administration and for 4 weeks after administration. In statistical analyses, the percentage of food consumed for 4 weeks was analyzed by anova. We also examined the side-effects of Rikkunshi-to.
Results: In patient 3, we stopped investigation after 3 weeks because of the development of cholecystitis. The values of 4 weeks in patient 3 were calculated as the mean values of 4 weeks in the other five patients. anova and Tukey's multiple comparison showed a marginally significant difference in weight between before Rikkunshi-to was given and 4 weeks after. In change of food intake, there were no significant differences between before Rikkunshi-to was given and 1 day after, 1 day and 2 days after, 2 days and 3 days after, 3 days and 1 week after, and 1 week and 2 weeks after; however, there were significant increases in food intake between other times. With regard to the side-effects, mild lower limb oedema appeared in the two patients.
Conclusion: In the present study, we showed the effect of Rikkunshi-to in improving appetite loss in elderly dementia patients. The present study suggests that Rikkunshi-to might be useful in improving functional appetite loss in elderly dementia patients, because there are no serious side-effects.