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Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Is physical activity a potential preventive factor for vascular dementia? A systematic review
Dag Aarsland1, Farzaneh S Sardahaee, Sigmund Anderssen
1King's College London, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Guy's Campus, London, UK. daarsland@gmail.com
Aging & Mental Health
|May 11, 2010
Summary
Regular physical exercise significantly reduces the risk of developing vascular dementia (VaD). This finding supports incorporating physical activity into prevention programs for individuals at risk of cerebrovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Gerontology
Background:
- Physical exercise offers numerous health benefits, including a potential reduction in Alzheimer's disease risk.
- Existing research on physical activity and vascular dementia (VaD) risk is limited by small sample sizes and a lack of meta-analyses.
- Vascular dementia is a significant concern, and identifying preventative strategies is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis investigating the association between physical activity and the risk of developing vascular dementia (VaD).
- To synthesize findings from longitudinal studies to provide a comprehensive overview of physical activity's role in VaD prevention.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search of the MEDLINE database was performed using keywords related to physical exercise, activity, walking, dementia, and vascular dementia.
- Longitudinal studies with defined physical activity measures and risk data for VaD were selected and summarized.
- A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis, pooling data from eligible studies.
Main Results:
- The review included 24 longitudinal studies with 1378 VaD patients; however, only five studies met meta-analysis criteria.
- The meta-analysis incorporated data from 10,108 control subjects and 374 VaD patients.
- A significant association was found between physical exercise and a reduced risk of developing VaD (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42-0.92).
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests that physical activity likely prevents the development of vascular dementia (VaD).
- Physical activity should be emphasized in secondary prevention programs for individuals at risk of cerebrovascular disease.
- Promoting regular exercise may be a key strategy in mitigating VaD incidence.
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