Physical activity attenuates neuropsychiatric disturbances and caregiver burden in patients with dementia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:A significant benefit from physical activity has recently been described in some patients who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases.OBJECTIVE:To assess the effects of physical activity on neuropsychiatric disturbances in demented patients and on the mental burden of their caregivers.METHODS:Assisted by a public geriatric psychiatry clinical unit, we studied 59 patients with dementia. Patients were divided into three groups according to their diagnosis and level of physical activity. Data were assessed through a semi-structured interview. Patients were evaluated with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, the Mini-Sleep Questionnaire and the Baecke Questionnaire. The data were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and linear regression, with the level of significance set at 5%.RESULTS:Patients with Alzheimer's or vascular dementia who engaged in physical activity had fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms than those who did not. When compared to the control group, the caregivers of patients with vascular dementia who engaged in physical activity had a reduced burden.CONCLUSION:The regular practice of physical activity seems to contribute to a reduction in neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia patients and to attenuate the burden of the caregivers of those patients.

Nível de atividade física habitual e transtornos mentais comuns entre idosos residentes em áreas rurais

“…Christofoletti et al 32 realizaram estudo de revisão que indicava que intervenções não farmacológicas associadas à prática de atividades físicas são importantes instrumentos para a promoção de benefícios psicossociais, status afetivo, estresse do cuidador e saúde física.…”

Virtual Reality for Persons with Dementia: an Exergaming Experience

“…When compared to the control group, the caregivers of patients with vascular dementia who engaged in physical activity had a reduced burden 16 . In conclusion, more and more sophisticated exergames are on the rise in the marketplace as well as in academic research.…”

A controlled clinical trial on the effects of exercise on neuropsychiatric disorders and instrumental activities in women with Alzheimer's disease

“…Trudeau 42 found significant improvements in agitation and mood in patients who went for regular walks. It is important to remember that, according to Lyketsos 2 , Christofoletti et al 18 , and Stella et al 17 , even a slight reduction of a few points in the NPI may reflect a significant decrease in the rate of caregiver burden. Interventions that can attenuate the neuropsychiatric disturbances may have a positive impact on the quality of life of patients with dementia and their caregivers 2 .…”

“…Other clinical trials recently verified that the exercise had a significantly good impact on behavioral disturbances and functionality in basic daily activities with a positive reduction in caregiver burden 17,18 . To measure psychopathological symptoms, these authors applied the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, which is the same scale used in our investigation.…”

“…In a meta-analysis, Heyn, Abreu and Ottenbacher 16 demonstrated that regular exercise, mainly aerobic exercise, could reduce cognitive decline, with greater impact on the performance of activities of daily living. Stella et al 17 and Christofoletti et al 18 also found a significant improvement in neuropsychiatric disturbances in demented patients who took part in a long-term regular exercise program compared with sedentary patients.…”