Effects of telehealth on functional capacity, mental health and quality of life among older people with dementia: LAPESI telehealth protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background Telehealth can be an alternative action at a distance that can help as a form of motor intervention, alleviating the deleterious effects arising from social distancing on functional capacity, mental health and quality of life among older people with dementia during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Purpose We aim to analyze the effects of a telehealth program on functional capacity, mental health and quality of life among older people with dementia and their caregivers. Methods seventy‐eight individuals with mild and moderate dementia and their caregivers will answer an anamnesis and be evaluated through Clinical Dementia Assessment Score. They will also be evaluated by blinded examiners in terms of functional capacity (Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0), mental health (Mini‐Mental State Examination, Clock Drawing Test, Verbal Fluency test and the Neuropsychiatric Inventor) and quality of life (Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease scale). Afterward, the volunteers will be randomized into the telehealth training group and the control group. The TR will perform systematic physical and cognitive exercises in 50‐min sessions three times a week with professional monitoring, while the CG will receive non‐systematized guidance, both for 12 weeks. Participants will be evaluated at baseline, immediately after the three‐month interventions and with a 12‐week follow‐ up. Discussion Technological approaches such as telehealth can be a viable alternative in home care service during times of pandemic. We expect that older people with dementia and their caregivers have high adherence to the telehealth program and improve their functional capacity, mental health and quality of life of older people with dementia. Telehealth is an alternative that can contribute to public policies and the development of effective intervention strategies that neutralize adverse outcomes. It can also be presented as an alternative to home care services, which could reduce demands for health resources.

Adaptation and reliability of tests of functional mobility and muscle strength using telehealth for older people with dementia

“…This is a cross-sectional study undertaken as a secondary analysis from a randomized clinical trial 18 previously carried out by our laboratory. Seven hundred and forty-two volunteers were recruted through advertisements placed in newspapers, online magazines, and social media, as well as telephone contact via the database of the UFSCar Research and Health of Older People Laboratory; however, only 43 met the inclusion criteria.…”

Association of Quality of Life and Anxiety Indicators with the Physical Capacity of Elderly: A Crossover Study

“…Strategies based on the practice of physical exercises are effective in improving functional ability, mental health, and quality of life. For example, Tsen et al (2023) showed that telehealth (i.e., instructions at a distance to practice exercise) improved physical capacity, mental health and quality of life of elderly with dementia, reducing the deleterious effects arising from social distancing on during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Tsen et al, 2023).…”

“…For example, Tsen et al (2023) showed that telehealth (i.e., instructions at a distance to practice exercise) improved physical capacity, mental health and quality of life of elderly with dementia, reducing the deleterious effects arising from social distancing on during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Tsen et al, 2023). Regular physical activity is known to have a protective effect, not only preserving but often enhancing physical functionality and strength in elderly (Cress et al, 1999).…”

Barriers and facilitators of telehealth for caregivers and older adults with dementia

“…This research is part of a randomized clinical trial in collaboration between researchers from Brazil and Australia, named: "Telerehabilitation as an alternative to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the functional capacity, mental health, and quality of life of older individuals with dementia: a randomized controlled clinical trial" (Registration: RBR-825p57 vwv). Further information can be obtained in the study protocol 15 .…”

“…Recruitment was conducted through digital media and distribution of pamphlets in physical locations, resulting in a total of 41 caregivers and 41 older individuals with dementia. The exclusion and inclusion criteria are described in the study protocol 15 .…”