Clinical outcomes associated with Korean medicine home-visit care for patients with cognitive impairment: a multi-center retrospective observational study

This multi-center retrospective study investigated associations between a 4-month Korean medicine (KM) home-visit program and pain, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), cognitive function, and caregiver burden in 92 patients with cognitive impairment (Global Deterioration Scale stages 2-5) assessed at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months. Complete case analysis was the primary analytical approach. Significant improvements were observed in Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia: median 4 to 2, p < 0.001) and neuropsychiatric symptom severity (Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire: 3 to 2, p = 0.006). While Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening remained stable; the Clock Drawing Test showed a non-significant trend toward improvement (p = 0.098). Caregiver burden (12-item Zarit Burden Interview [ZBI-12]) showed a non-significant trend toward reduction (p = 0.074). Subgroup analyses showed exploratory within-group signals for ZBI-12 (mild cognitive impairment group) and CDT (dementia group); between-group differences were not significant. Improvements in BPSD severity strongly correlated with reduced caregiver distress (rho = 0.721, p < 0.001). A 4-month KM home-visit program was associated with significant reductions in pain and BPSD, with stable cognitive outcomes. These hypothesis-generating findings support integrating KM services into community-based dementia care and the design of future controlled trials.