High-intensity exercise programs in people with dementia — a systematic review and meta-analysis

AbstractDementia is a syndrome characterized by a progressive deterioration of cognitive and physical functions. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of high-intensity exercise training (HIT) programs on cognitive and mental health, physical performance, activities of daily living (ADLs) and quality of life (QoL) in people with dementia. A systematic literature search for randomized controlled trials was performed until July 2019. We calculated mean difference (MD) or standardized MD (SMD) and the 95% confidence interval (CI), and assessed heterogeneity using I2 statistic. Nine studies from three large-scale research projects which were based on the high-intensity functional exercise (HIFE) program incorporating strength, balance and mobility exercises of the lower limbs, including 456 participants (85.5 ± 7.0 years), were considered. There was an overall good study quality (mean PEDro score = 7.6 ± 0.7). Compared to seated control activities, strength and balance HIT resulted in statistically significant but small positive effects on balance performance (MD = 2.31, 95% CI = 0.44–4.17, p = 0.02; I2 = 73%) and on the abilities to independently perform ADLs (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.12–0.44, p = 0.0006; I2 = 0%). No differences were found in cognitive function, depressive symptoms and QoL. The qualitative analyses yielded sporadic beneficial results (mobility, psychological well-being and apathetic behaviour) in favour of HIT. There is only limited evidence for an intensity-related dose–response relationship. Further well-designed studies are needed to identify the best exercise type for different types and stages of dementia.

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The effects of evening high-intensity exercise on sleep in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Sleep Medicine Reviews ◽

10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101535 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 101535

Author(s):

Emmanuel Frimpong ◽

Melodee Mograss ◽

Tehila Zvionow ◽

Thien Than Dang-Vu

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

High Intensity ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Healthy Adults ◽

High Intensity Exercise

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Living well with dementia: a systematic review and correlational meta-analysis of factors associated with quality of life, well-being and life satisfaction in people with dementia

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291718000405 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (13) ◽

pp. 2130-2139 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

Anthony Martyr ◽

Sharon M. Nelis ◽

Catherine Quinn ◽

Yu-Tzu Wu ◽

Ruth A. Lamont ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Living Well ◽

People With Dementia

AbstractCurrent policy emphasises the importance of ‘living well’ with dementia, but there has been no comprehensive synthesis of the factors related to quality of life (QoL), subjective well-being or life satisfaction in people with dementia. We examined the available evidence in a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched electronic databases until 7 January 2016 for observational studies investigating factors associated with QoL, well-being and life satisfaction in people with dementia. Articles had to provide quantitative data and include ⩾75% people with dementia of any type or severity. We included 198 QoL studies taken from 272 articles in the meta-analysis. The analysis focused on 43 factors with sufficient data, relating to 37639 people with dementia. Generally, these factors were significantly associated with QoL, but effect sizes were often small (0.1–0.29) or negligible (<0.09). Factors reflecting relationships, social engagement and functional ability were associated with better QoL. Factors indicative of poorer physical and mental health (including depression and other neuropsychiatric symptoms) and poorer carer well-being were associated with poorer QoL. Longitudinal evidence about predictors of QoL was limited. There was a considerable between-study heterogeneity. The pattern of numerous predominantly small associations with QoL suggests a need to reconsider approaches to understanding and assessing living well with dementia.

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A Systematic Review of the Contribution of Dance Movement Psychotherapy Towards the Well-Being of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.719673 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Supritha Aithal ◽

Zoe Moula ◽

Vicky Karkou ◽

Themis Karaminis ◽

Joanne Powell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Large Scale ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Dance Movement ◽

Protocol Registration

Background: The present review provides an original examination of published literature on the use of Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) as an intervention for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).Method: The review was systematically conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A protocol consisting of four phases: identification; screening and selection; data extraction and synthesis; quality assurance was developed and registered with the PROSPERO. A search strategy was developed using population and intervention as the key concepts and ten databases were searched between 6.1.2018 to 4.4.2018 and 10.07.2021 to 20.07.2021. The intervention characteristics were extracted based on the TIDieR template for intervention description and replication checklist. Quality assessment and level of evidence of all the included studies were evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) for treatment criteria.Results: Nine research studies with a total of 133 participants were identified through a systematic search process. There was only one mixed-methods study with the component of randomisation found during the literature search. Collected information was synthesised in relation to (a) ways in which dance movement psychotherapists work with children; (b) data collection methods and findings. Results from the reviewed literature suggest that DMP can potentially promote various aspects of well-being in children with ASD. Eight out of nine studies mentioned the effects of DMP on improving different social and communication skills. However, results from quality assessments and synthesised outcomes indicate that research in DMP is still in its infancy.Conclusions: We conclude that further large-scale, high-quality studies are required to generate further evidence that explains the processes involved in DMP, the effectiveness of DMP, the relationship between therapeutic factors of DMP, and research findings for children on the autism spectrum.Systematic Review Protocol Registration: PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42018087912.

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Interventions for improving self-direction in people with dementia: a systematic review

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02133-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Carola M. E. Döpp ◽

Hermijntje Drenth ◽

Paul-Jeroen Verkade ◽

Anneke F. Francke ◽

Iris van der Heide

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Well Being ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Everyday Functioning ◽

Positive Effects ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Essential Components

Abstract Background Dementia is a progressive disease that affects people’s everyday functioning, including the ability to express values, needs and wishes, which can be considered key elements of self-direction. For the purpose of this review, self-direction refers to the organization and/or coordination of your own life, including professional and other care, with the objective of having what you perceive to be a good life. The aim of this systematic review was to assess and describe interventions that aim to improve self-direction of people with dementia. Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo and the Cochrane Library. Empirical studies up to April 2020 were included that used qualitative and/or quantitative methods and reported on interventions for people with dementia aimed at improving self-direction. Stepwise study selection and the assessment of methodological quality were conducted independently by two authors. Data on study and intervention characteristics, outcomes related to self-direction and well-being of people with dementia and factors influencing the feasibility were extracted systematically and described narratively. Results Ten studies were identified describing a total of nine interventions. Interventions varied in terms of goals, content, target population and duration. Overall, interventions consisted of multiple components focusing on identifying “Who am I?” (beliefs, strengths, values, goals), identifying “What is important to me?” (meaningful activities and goal setting) and/or communicating about preferences with professionals and/or caregivers. The review provides indications that people with dementia may benefit from the interventions included. Overall, positive effects were found in studies on outcomes related to self-direction and wellbeing. However, outcomes measured using quantitative methods showed inconsistent effects between the studies. Conclusions Although the methodological quality of all the studies included was ‘good’ or at least ‘fair’, the evidence base of interventions aiming to improve self-direction is still limited due to the low number of studies, the low number of participants and the frequent use of and their authors’ own non-standardized measures. Nevertheless, the review points towards positive effects on self-direction and well-being. Identifying individual beliefs, strengths, values, goals and meaningful activities can be essential components of these interventions, as well as communication about the desired care and support.

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The effectiveness of mHealth interventions on postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare ◽

10.1177/1357633x20917816 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1357633X2091781

Author(s):

Chuqing Zhou ◽

Hua Hu ◽

Chunyi Wang ◽

Ziyu Zhu ◽

Gengchen Feng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Postpartum Depression ◽

Large Scale ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Clinical Effectiveness ◽

Well Being ◽

Cochrane Library

Introduction Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common psychiatric condition during the postnatal period that negatively impacts the well-being of both the mother and her infant. This study describes a systematic review and preliminary meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of mobile health (mHealth) interventions, which is defined as the use of portable electronic devices to support public health and medical practice, in addressing depressive symptoms among postpartum women. Methods Databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, Embase and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effectiveness of mHealth interventions on PPD from database inception to December 2019. Results The initial search identified 754 studies, of which, 11 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These studies evaluated four types of distinct mHealth interventions and involved 2424 participants across six countries. Pooled results demonstrated that compared to the controls, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score decreased in the mHealth intervention group (mean difference: –1.09, 95% confidence interval: –1.39 to –0.79). Discussion Our study suggested that mHealth interventions may be a promising tool to complement routine clinical care in the prevention and treatment of PPD, but the clinical effectiveness of mHealth interventions needs to be better established. While most studies focused on telephone-based interventions, recent researches have also suggested the superiority and effectiveness of short messaging service (SMS) and smartphone applications, but the exact efficacy needs further evaluation. Therefore, more high-quality RCTs on app-based and SMS-based interventions are needed before the large-scale roll-out of these interventions in clinical practice.

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