Article
What is the effect of a community based exercise intervention for people with dementia?
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Authors
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Jung-Cheng Yang
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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Jui-Chi Hsu
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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Yu-Lin Lai
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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Yi-Chun Chein
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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Yi-Chen Tsai
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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Lu-Yean Hung
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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Hsiao-Ting Tsai
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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Chia-Chen Chou
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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Hsiao-Yuan Lee
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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An-Chi Huang
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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Ching-Fei Lo
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
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Wun-Hung Chen
- National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
| Published: | April 16, 2019 |
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Outline
Text
Background: Exercise intervention is effective to prevent or delay disability in people with dementia [1], however the effects of a community based exercise intervention for a city in Taiwan still needs to be investigated.
Aim: To investigate the effects of community based exercise intervention on physical fitness of people with mild or moderate dementia.
Method: Adults living in the community with mild or moderate dementia (CDR≦2) were recruited and underwent two types of intervention, meeting 2 hours once a week for 12 weeks per intervention. They received high intensity exercise (playing ball, strengthening and mat exercises) for 12 weeks; then they underwent cognition training (drawing and playing cards) for another 12 weeks. All participants were evaluated with the physical fitness test, the Functional Reach Test, and the 6 minute walk test before (W0), at 12 weeks (W12) and 24 weeks (W24) of intervention. Independent t test was used to compare the differences before W0 and W12, W0 and W24.
Results/findings: 13 participants were included (age 84.3±4.22 years old). There were significant differences in all outcomes between W0 and W12 (p<0.05), except upper extremity strength. For W0 and W24, there were significant differences in the upper and lower extremity strength, lower limb flexibility, balance and endurance (p<0.05).
Discussion and conclusions: Community based exercises training has the same results as previous studies. According to our study, individuals with dementia can improve their physical fitness through 12 weeks of group exercise and can maintain an ideal fitness if they keep participating in community activities.
References
- 1.
- Lin PS. Protecting cognition by physical activity – how to prevent and delay dementia effectively by physical activity. The Journal of Long-term Care. 2017;21(3):211-23.
