Psychosocial factors associated with physical activity in people with dementia: A pilot cross-sectional study

To understand how psychosocial factors associated with physical activity differ based on disease severity in people with dementia, and how these factors are associated with physical activity participation.

Eighty-seven people with dementia, alongside their family carer were asked to complete a series of questions related to physical activity participation, including barriers, motivators, and facilitators. Regression models were developed to understand how psychosocial factors were associated with physical activity participation in the cohort.

In the final models, only the absence of intrapersonal barriers was associated with overall physical activity and regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Feelings of relatedness were associated with regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity only.

Reducing intrapersonal barriers would appear to be a potentially useful strategy to promote physical activity in people with dementia. However, a tailored approach is needed depending on the desired physical activity outcome.