scholarly journals Exercise programmes for older people with dementia may have an effect on cognitive function and activities of daily living, but studies give inconsistent results

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric D Vidoni ◽  
Jeffrey M Burns
2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 512-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Piovezan ◽  
Hélio Amante Miot ◽  
Miriane Garuzi ◽  
Alessandro Ferrari Jacinto

ABSTRACT The Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool Version Two (DKAT2) was developed to measure caregivers’ knowledge about the trajectory of dementia and assess changes in the knowledge before and after educational programs. The DKAT2 is a 21-item tool with questions about several aspects of dementia. The possible answers for each question are “yes”, “no” or “don't know”. The maximum score is 21. Objective: The aim of the study was to cross-culturally adapt the DKAT2 to Brazilian Portuguese. Methods: The essential steps to cross-culturally adapt were conducted and the final version administered to 30 caregivers of older people with dementia, sampled by convenience. Results: In the sample assessed, the mean age was 55.7 (± 12.5) years, 93.3% were female, 56.7% were sons/daughters and 23.3% were spouses of the older adults with dementia. The mean time caring for the elder was 4.7 (± 3.3) years and 70% of the caregivers had some level of burden. The mean age of the older people was 82.4 (± 6.7) years, 19 (63.3%) had a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, 100% were dependent for instrumental activities of daily living and 70% had some degree of dependence for basic activities of daily living. The mean score for the caregivers’ knowledge level was 15.0 (± 2.5) correct answers. Conclusions: The Brazilian Portuguese version was developed and the final version is suitable for use in Brazil.


2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Håkan Littbrand ◽  
Erik Rosendahl ◽  
Nina Lindelöf ◽  
Lillemor Lundin-Olsson ◽  
Yngve Gustafson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Purpose. Knowledge concerning the applicability and the effect of high-intensity exercise programs is very limited for older people with severe cognitive and physical impairments. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of a high-intensity functional weight-bearing exercise program among older people who are dependent in activities of daily living and living in residential care facilities. A second aim was to analyze whether cognitive function was associated with the applicability of the program. Subjects. The subjects were 91 older people (mean age=85.3 years, SD=6.1, range=68–100) who were dependent in personal activities of daily living and randomly assigned to participate in an exercise intervention. Their mean score for the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was 17.5 (SD=5.0, range=10–29). Methods. A high-intensity functional weight-bearing exercise program was performed in groups of 3 to 7 participants who were supervised by physical therapists. There were 29 exercise sessions over 13 weeks. Attendance, intensity of lower-limb strength and balance exercises, and occurrence and seriousness of adverse events were the outcome variables in evaluating the applicability of the program. Results. The median attendance rate was 76%. Lower-limb strength exercises with high intensity were performed in a median of 53% of the attended exercise sessions, and balance exercises with high intensity were performed in a median of 73% of the attended exercise sessions. The median rate of sessions with adverse events was 5%. All except 2 adverse events were assessed as minor and temporary, and none led to manifest injury or disease. No significant differences were observed in applicability when comparing participants with dementia and participants without dementia. In addition, there was no significant correlation between applicability and the MMSE score. Discussion and Conclusion. The results suggest that a high-intensity functional weight-bearing exercise program is applicable for use, regardless of cognitive function, among older people who are dependent in activities of daily living, living in residential care facilities, and have an MMSE score of 10 or higher. [Littbrand H, Rosendahl E, Lindelöf N, et al. A high-intensity functional weight-bearing exercise program for older people dependent in activities of daily living and living in residential care facilities: evaluation of the applicability with focus on cognitive function. Phys Ther. 2006;86:489–498.]


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215145932092957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nam Gi Lee ◽  
Tae Woo Kang ◽  
Hyun Ju Park

Introduction: Gait characteristics are closely associated with executive functions including basic and high-level cognitive processes such as attention, working memory, decision-making, and problem-solving. Impaired cognitive function resulting from dementia is associated with loss of balance and poor activities of daily living (ADLs). If associations between gait parameters, balance, and ADLs are observed, then quantitative gait analysis may be optimal for reinforcing balance and ADL assessments in people with dementia. This study aimed to determine the association between balance, gait, and ADLs in older adults with dementia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 46 older adults who have been diagnosed with dementia. Measurements including the Mini-Mental Statement Examination-Korean version (MMSE-K), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), 10-meter walk test (10MWT), Modified Barthel index (MBI), and GAITRite were used to assess cognitive function, balance, walking speed, ADLs, and gait parameters, respectively. The Pearson product correlation coefficient ( r) was used for correlation analysis. Results and Discussion: Among the gait parameters, velocity was positively associated with the BBS, 10MWT, and MBI ( r = 0.341-0.516, P > .05). Step length ( r = 0.301-0.586, P > .05), stride length ( r = 0.329-0.580, P > .05), and walk ratio ( r = 0.324-0.556, P > .05) were positively associated with the MMSE-K, BBS, 10MWT, and MBI. A moderate positive association between single support time and MBI was observed ( r = 0.308, P = .039). Additionally, a moderate negative association between double support time and the MBI was observed ( r = −0.349, P = .019). This study presents the first empirical evidence on the association between balance, gait, and ADLs in older adults with dementia. Conclusions: This study identified important associations between balance, gait, and ADL assessments in people with dementia. Further studies involving targeted interventions addressing gait parameters and improving balance and functional performance in people with dementia are required in the future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 641-641
Author(s):  
Andrew Kingston ◽  
Holly Bennett ◽  
Louise Robinson ◽  
Lynne Corner ◽  
Carol Brayne ◽  
...  

Abstract The combined contribution of multi-morbidity and socio-economic position (SEP) to trends in disability free life expectancy (DFLE) is unknown. We use longitudinal data from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS I: 1991; CFAS II: 2011), with two year follow up. Disability was defined as difficulty in activities of daily living, and SEP as area-level deprivation. Multi-morbidity was constructed from nine self-reported health conditions and categorised as 0-1, 2-3, 4+ diseases. In 1991 and 2011, shorter total and disability-free years were associated with greater multi-morbidity. Between 1991 and 2011, gains in life expectancy and DFLE were observed at all levels of multi-morbidity, the greatest gain in DFLE being 4 years for men with 0-1 diseases. As multi-morbidity is more prevalent in more disadvantaged groups, further analyses will investigate whether SEP differences remain at all levels of multi-morbidity.


Author(s):  
Julieta Camino ◽  
Naoko Kishita ◽  
Allan Bregola ◽  
Judy Rubinsztein ◽  
Mizanur Khondoker ◽  
...  

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