Exercise programs for people with dementia

Abstract

There is promising evidence that exercise programs can have a significant impact in improving ability to perform ADLs and possibly in improving cognition in people with dementia, although some caution is advised in interpreting these findings. The programs revealed no significant effect on challenging behaviours or depression. There was little or no evidence regarding the remaining outcomes of interest.

Effects of Physical Exercise on Health and Well-Being of Individuals Living With a Dementia in Nursing Homes: A Systematic Review

“…It differed from the Cochrane review (5) completed in 2013 as this systematic review focused on studies set in nursing homes only and, unlike the Cochrane review, did not limit the type of outcomes considered and including more than simply the effects of physical exercise on cognition, ADLs, challenging behavior, depression and mortality. Due to these differences this systematic review considered three studies not included in the Cochrane systematic review.…”

“…The hand exercises group only completed hand exercises, although not common, was included as this systematic review which considered all types of physical exercise (25) . This was similar to the open inclusion criteria adopted in the Cochrane systematic review completed in 2013 (5) . Older individuals living with a dementia in nursing homes are often frail and not able to participate in physical activities such as walking or standing exercises (30) .…”

“…A Cochrane review reported that physical exercise significantly effects individuals with a dementia living in various settings but further research was needed to explain the specific effects and what type of physical exercise is most beneficial (5) .…”

A Current Understanding of Alzheimers Disease and the Prospects of Phytopharmacological Intervention as a Management Strategy

“…Some of the pressures that promote stress to people with AD includes social, psychological, physical and economics factors [5]. Exercise is also known to increase their daily activities and boost the health outcomes for better living [6]. Management of behavioral problems in dementia is managed with antipsychotics.…”

The effect of exercise intervention on cognitive performance in persons at risk of, or with, dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The 2013 updated Cochrane review by Forbes et al assessed changes in cognition, activities of daily living, behavior, depression, and mortality [26]. However, the cognition data were generated and pooled from several different tests of cognition, and a standard mean difference (% change) was used to adjust for the different scoring scales [26].…”