Peripheral Sensory Stimulation for Long-Term Improvement in Mild Cognitive Decline: A Prospective Interventional Study

BACKGROUND: Despite recent breakthroughs in pharmacological treatment for Alzheimer's disease, high costs and the complex procedure to monitor safety have limited access for many patients. Less invasive and more accessible non-pharmacological therapies that support neuroplasticity and slow cognitive decline are needed. Processing Inner Strength Toward Actualization (PISTA) stimulation applies structured tactile input to promote cortical-subcortical activation. This study evaluated the long-term effects of PISTA on cognition and pain in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia. METHODS: This single-arm, prospective trial enrolled 100 outpatients aged 47-70 years at outset (50 women, 50 men) with no control group. Participants received clinician-supervised PISTA stimulation three times weekly for 48 months. Each 30 min session delivered rhythmic tactile input calibrated to individual sensory thresholds. Cognitive performance was assessed monthly using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Perceived pain was measured monthly with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Outcomes were analyzed using ANCOVA, adjusting for age, sex, and baseline cognitive status. RESULTS: < 0.001). Improvements in cognition and pain were moderately correlated (r = 0.38). The greatest combined benefits occurred in participants aged 55-62 years. No serious adverse events were observed during the 48-month trial. CONCLUSIONS: PISTA stimulation produced sustained improvement in cognition and reduced perceived pain, supporting its promising role as a safe, non-invasive adjunct for neurodegenerative cognitive decline. These findings suggest peripheral sensory activation as a promising driver of functional neuroplasticity and warrant verification in randomized, controlled trials.