Summary of the evidence on TCM nonpharmacological interventions for cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically synthesize the best available evidence on nonpharmacological interventions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Guided by the "6S" evidence pyramid model, a comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases from their inception to March 2025. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the literature, while four researchers extracted the evidence using a standardized form. The best available evidence was ultimately identified through group discussion. RESULTS: A total of ten articles were included, comprising two guidelines, one expert consensus statement, and seven systematic reviews. Eighteen evidence items were summarized across five areas: acupuncture, acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), five-element music therapy, Baduanjin exercise, and Tai Chi. CONCLUSION: Evidence regarding TCM nonpharmacological interventions for AD-related cognitive impairment is both scientific and comprehensive. However, further high-quality, large-scale clinical trials are still warranted.