Is the Effect of a High-Intensity Functional Exercise Program on Functional Balance Influenced by Applicability and Motivation among Older People with Dementia in Nursing Homes?

Background and Objectives Exercise can be an important way of maintaining balance function in people with dementia, but further investigation is needed to determine the optimal way of exercising. The objective was to evaluate whether exercise applicability (i.e., attendance, exercise intensity, and adverse events) and motivation were associated with the effect on functional balance of a high-intensity functional exercise program for older people with dementia in nursing homes. Design, Setting and Participants Exercise intervention participants (n = 81; 60 women, 21 men) from a randomized controlled trial (UMDEX) were included. Their mean age was 84 and mean Mini-Mental State Examination score was 15. Intervention Groups of 3–8 participants participated in the High-Intensity Functional Exercise (HIFE) Program, with 5 sessions per 2-week period, for 4 months (total, 40 sessions). Measurements Outcome was the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), assessed at baseline and follow up, and the score difference, dichotomized to classify participants into two groups: responders (≥5-point increase) and non-responders (<5-point increase). Target variables were measures of applicability and motivation. Associations between each target variable and the outcome were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Baseline characteristics and new medical conditions developing during the intervention period were compared between responders and non-responders and included in the analyses when p < 0.10. Results The BBS score was 28.6 ± 14.3 at baseline and 31.2 ± 15.3 at follow up, with the difference between follow-up and baseline scores ranging from −35 to 24. Twenty-nine (35.8%) participants were responders. The multivariable models showed no significant association between responders vs. non-responders and any target variable. Conclusion Participation in a 4-month high-intensity functional exercise program can improve balance in many individuals with dementia in nursing homes, despite the progressiveness of dementia disorders and several co-existing medical conditions. Predicting balance exercise response based on applicability and motivation seem not to be possible, which lends no support for excluding this group from functional exercise, even when exercise intensity or motivation is not high.