Leg-cuff pressure device improved memory in 84% of early Alzheimer's patients
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A heart treatment from the 1970s that squeezes the legs with inflatable cuffs has been tested in a 190-person trial of people with early Alzheimer's disease. It improved memory and thinking in 84% of participants, and most patients actually got better than their starting point rather than merely declining more slowly. The gains showed persistence: 75% of patients still had improvements six months after treatment ended. The coverage so far is an early community discussion of the trial, so key questions remain open, including the trial's design details, peer-reviewed publication status, and how the effect compares with approved Alzheimer's therapies.
Written by a model from the reports · updated 2 hours ago
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- reddit.comPickA 1970s heart treatment that squeezes your legs with inflatable cuffs improved memory and thinking in 84% of people with early Alzheimer’s in a 190-person trial. Most patients actually got better than where they started, not just slower decline, and 75% still had gains 6 months after treatment ended
A 190-person randomized sham-controlled trial found that external counterpulsation (ECP) improved cognition and daily function in patients with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease. The device uses inflatable cuffs on the calves, thighs and buttocks to improve venous return. ADCS-ADL results were +2.57 vs -0.49 (p=0.036) and VADAS-cog +9.95 vs +5.22 (p=0.005), with no serious device-related adverse events.
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