Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Global dementia prevalence is rising, with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) facing a projected 250% increase by 2050.
• Physical activity interventions are increasingly recognized for their potential to improve health outcomes in individuals with dementia.
• Current research in SSA explores physical activity for dementia care, necessitating a review of existing evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of physical activity-based interventions for dementia care in sub-Saharan Africa.
• To map the existing literature and identify key characteristics of these interventions.
• To pinpoint factors associated with the utilization of physical activity in dementia care within SSA.

Main Methods:

• The review follows the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews, adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• A comprehensive literature search was performed across multiple databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, Embase, African Journals Online) and grey literature sources.
• Inclusion criteria focused on studies from SSA countries utilizing physical activity interventions for dementia or cognitive impairment, with no language or date restrictions.

Main Results:

• A total of 2852 articles were initially retrieved, with 2515 remaining after duplicate removal.
• Ongoing title, abstract, and full-text screening will be conducted.
• Data will be charted and summarized descriptively, presented in narrative and visual formats.

Conclusions:

• The review will elucidate the current landscape of physical activity interventions for dementia management in SSA.
• Findings will identify research priority areas for future studies in the region.
• This synthesis aims to inform evidence-based practices and policy development for dementia care in SSA.