Improved Functional Performance in Individuals With Dementia After a Moderate-Intensity Home-Based Exercise Program:...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Exercise Science
• Neurorehabilitation

Background:

• Individuals with dementia (IWDs) face significant cognitive and functional challenges.
• Nonpharmacological interventions are crucial for reducing disability in IWDs.
• Evidence for exercise interventions in IWDs is mixed, necessitating innovative approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel, moderate-intensity functional exercise intervention for IWDs.
• The intervention was developed using exercise science principles and a Strength-Based Approach.
• The program consisted of 24 home-based sessions.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, controlled trial with a pretest-posttest design was employed.
• The study included 23 community-dwelling IWDs (intervention n=13, comparison n=10).
• Participants had mild to moderate cognitive impairment (mean MMSE=20.8).

Main Results:

• A high attendance rate (99.0%) demonstrated excellent adherence.
• The intervention group showed significant improvements in lower extremity strength (P=.004), balance (P=.001), and gait speed (P=.02).
• These improvements were statistically significant compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

• IWDs can participate in and benefit from moderate-intensity functional exercise.
• The Strength-Based Approach facilitated adherence and participation.
• This intervention is potentially feasible for clinical practice and future research with IWDs.