Effectiveness Comparison of Drug and Non-Drug Therapy for Agitation in Alzheimer's Disease

Agitation is a common issue, affecting up to 90% of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients. It includes symptoms like verbal and physical aggression, irritability, wandering, and restlessness, making home care challenging. Two commonly prescribed drugs for agitation in AD are Trazodone and Haldol. There's also a non-drug approach called behavior management, which has shown effectiveness in reducing agitation. However, it's still unknown which method, drug or non-drug, is most effective for treating agitation in AD patients. The Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, is conducting a treatment program across 21 sites in 16 states to find the best treatment for agitation in AD patients.