Physical activity and behaviour in dementia

Abstract

Physical activity can have a positive impact on cognition and well-being in older people. This article reviews and evaluates the effects of planned physical activity programmes on mood, sleep and functional ability in people with dementia. A total of 27 studies between 1974 and 2005 were found. Of these, four included participants living at home, two involved participants who were living either at home or in care homes and 21 included participants living solely in care homes. Since psychosocial intervention can reduce family caregiver burden, the break down of home-care and associated rates of institutionalization, the indirect effects of these physical activity programmes on the family caregiver are also explored. The scope for developing physical activity programmes for people with dementia in primary care using families and volunteers is discussed.

Participation in physical and social activities among home-dwelling persons with dementia – experiences of next of kin

“…Corresponding findings are also present in other studies9,10 among people with dementia. In the study by Cedervall and Åberg,15 one next of kin found physical activity to be very positive because the activity provided benefits such as peace and quiet, and pleasure for the person with dementia.…”

“…The fact that next of kin as caregivers have a need for information and support about dementia disease is supported in studies 4–6,8. Likewise, there is support for the positive impact of physical9 and social activities10 for the perception of wellbeing in home-dwelling people with dementia. There has been a great focus on dementia sufferers in Norway, and more research that can facilitate the provision of an active and social life is requested 7.…”

A Controlled Naturalistic Study on a Weekly Music Therapy and Activity Program on Disruptive and Depressive Behaviors in Dementia

“…Music therapy has been found to facilitate active participation even very late in dementia [16,30]. A possible hypothesis is that the amygdala, one of the last parts of the brain to be affected by dementia, still receives, reacts to and expresses mood and emotion in PWD.…”

The effect of regular walks on various health aspects in older people with dementia: protocol of a randomized-controlled trial

“…rest-activity rhythm [30]. In older persons with or without dementia, a physical activity intervention seems to be effective [24,31-34], especially in people with poor sleep at baseline [33]. These studies, however, are scarce since the majority of physical activity intervention studies are multi-dimensional, i.e.…”

“…These studies, however, are scarce since the majority of physical activity intervention studies are multi-dimensional, i.e. physical activity is combined with bright light or a decrease in noise at night [24,30,31,33]. Such a combination hampers the understanding of which intervention is (most) effective [35].…”