Physical and Cognitive Stimulation in Alzheimer Disease. The GAIA Project

Abstract

Several data suggest that physical activity and cognitive stimulation have a positive effect on the quality of life (QoL) of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD), slowing the decline due to the disease. A pilot project was undertaken to assess the effect of cognitive stimulation, physical activity, and socialization on patients with AD and their informal caregiver's QoL and mood. Fourteen patients with AD were randomly divided into active treatment group and control group. At the end of treatment, a significant improvement in apathy, anxiety, depression, and QoL in the active treatment group was found. Considering caregivers, those of the active treatment group exhibited a significant improvement in their mood and in their perception of patients' QoL. This study provides evidence that a combined approach based on cognitive stimulation, physical activity, and socialization is a feasible tool to improve mood and QoL in patients with AD and their caregivers.

A mixed methods systematic review of multimodal non-pharmacological interventions to improve cognition for people with dementia

“…Stability of scores or an attenuation of decline was reported in six group studies (Arkin, 2007;Graessel et al, 2011;Ibarria et al, 2016;La Rue et al, 2015;Maci et al, 2012;Viola et al, 2011). Two group studies, Serda`i Ferrer and del Table 6.…”

“…Onor et al (2007) reported that socialization itself can lead to improvements, and 'programs that take a more holistic approach to the individual are more effective than those focusing on cognitive rehabilitation alone' (p. 270). Maci et al (2012) echoed this with their integrated approach of CS, physical activity and socialisation to slow down affective decline and reduce carer burden.…”

Self-Perceived Quality of Life Among Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: Two Longitudinal Models of Analysis

“…A program of therapeutic education for patients and caregivers improve the quality of life [65]. Finally, multicomponent programs have been shown to improve apathy, anxiety, depression, and quality of life [66].…”

Activité aérobie et environnement enrichi : perspectives pour le patient Alzheimer

“…Toutefois, ces interventions rapportent des effets positifs (Tableau 1) sur les symptômes dépressifs, l'humeur [40], le niveau global de cognition, les activités de vie quotidienne [40,41] et les performances physiques [40][41][42][43]. Seulement deux études chez les patients Alzheimer ont contrôlé spécifiquement l'intensité d'exercice pour stimuler de manière intense la fonction cardiorespiratoire [44,45] (c.-à-d., 70 % de la FC maximale et 70 % de la FC de réserve). Ces études rapportent des améliorations significatives sur les différentes fonctions cognitives [46,47] et sur l'efficacité de la marche [47].…”

“…entraînement en groupe). Ces études rapportent, chez des patients Alzheimer, des effets positifs sur l'humeur [44], l'anxiété, l'apathie, la qualité de vie [45], la dépression et les aptitudes physiques [44,49]. De plus, ces interventions mixtes freineraient le déclin cognitif [49].…”