Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Limited research exists on lifestyle interventions for people with dementia, with prior reviews focusing mainly on exercise and cognition.
• Functional abilities and quality of life (QoL) are key priorities for individuals with dementia, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
• This systematic review focuses on the impact of physical activity interventions on functional abilities and QoL in community-dwelling individuals with dementia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the impact of physical activity interventions on functional abilities and QoL in people with dementia.
• To synthesize findings from existing intervention studies to inform future research and policy.
• To identify knowledge gaps in the area of physical activity for dementia management.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature searches were conducted across four major databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL).
• Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessments using Covidence.
• A narrative synthesis approach was employed, with a meta-analysis currently underway.

Main Results:

• Fifty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, revealing diverse intervention designs and outcome measures.
• Nine studies using the Quality of Life Alzheimer's Disease (QoLAD) tool reported significant QoL improvements in four instances.
• Twenty-five studies using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) showed mobility improvements in fifteen, with nine significant findings; six studies using the 6-minute walk test showed significant functional capacity improvements in two.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity interventions demonstrate a positive impact on the QoL and mobility of individuals with dementia.
• An ongoing meta-analysis will provide quantitative data on the effects of physical activity on functional abilities and QoL.
• Further analyses will inform guidelines for physical activity interventions, programs, and policy, while identifying crucial areas for future research.