Premium
The effects on cognitive functions of a movement‐based intervention in patients with Alzheimer's type dementia: a pilot study
Author(s) -
Yágüez Lidia,
Shaw Kendra N.,
Morris Robin,
Matthews David
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.2510
Subject(s) - dementia , cognition , cognitive training , aerobic exercise , psychology , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , psychiatry , disease
Objective To explore the effect of a non‐aerobic movement based activity on cognition in people with Alzheimer's type dementia (AD). Methods The sample consisted of 27 patients fulfilling the AD ICD‐10 diagnostic criteria. The patient sample was randomly divided into two groups: The Exercise Group received 6 weeks movement training and comprised 15 participants with a mean age of 70.5 years (SD: 8). Control Group participated in a standard care group, which served as a control intervention, and consisted of 12 patients with an average age of 75.7 years (SD: 6.90). Cognitive functions were assessed using six computerised tests from the CANTAB, pre and post training. Data were analysed using t ‐tests. The false discovery rate (FDR) for multiple comparisons as well as Cohen's d effect size was used to assess the significant effects. Results Significant improvements in sustained attention, visual memory and a trend in working memory were found in the Exercise Group compared to Control Group after the 6 weeks training. In addition, after 6 weeks the Control Group deteriorated significantly in attention, while the AD patients who undertook the physical exercise showed a discrete improvement. Conclusions The present study shows that a short course of non‐aerobic movement based exercise is already effective at least in some aspects of cognitive functioning in patients with AD. Although the present study is a pilot study with small samples, nevertheless, the results are promising for the further investigation and development of non‐aerobic movement programmes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.