Abstract
The objectives of this study were to describe the different modalities of physical activity programs designed for moderate
to severe dementia and to identify their impact on functional independence in activities of daily living (ADL). A critical
review of randomized controlled trials related to the impact of physical activity programs in moderately to severely demented
persons on ADL performance and meta-analysis of the identified studies were performed. Among the 303 identified articles,
five responded to the selection criteria. Four out of the five studies demonstrated limited methodological quality. In one
high-quality study, physical activity programs significantly delayed deterioration of ADL performance. The program components
and ADL assessment tools vary widely across studies. Although the proposed treatments have not proven their efficiency in
improving the ADL status of the patients, they were able to limit the decline in ADL functioning. Future research is warranted
in order to identify clinically relevant modalities for physical activity programs for people with moderate to severe dementia.
to severe dementia and to identify their impact on functional independence in activities of daily living (ADL). A critical
review of randomized controlled trials related to the impact of physical activity programs in moderately to severely demented
persons on ADL performance and meta-analysis of the identified studies were performed. Among the 303 identified articles,
five responded to the selection criteria. Four out of the five studies demonstrated limited methodological quality. In one
high-quality study, physical activity programs significantly delayed deterioration of ADL performance. The program components
and ADL assessment tools vary widely across studies. Although the proposed treatments have not proven their efficiency in
improving the ADL status of the patients, they were able to limit the decline in ADL functioning. Future research is warranted
in order to identify clinically relevant modalities for physical activity programs for people with moderate to severe dementia.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Academic Literature Review
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s11556-011-0092-y
- Authors
- Elisabeth Burge, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, Physical Therapy Department, rue des Caroubiers, 25, Carouge, 1227 Geneva, Switzerland
- Nicolas Kuhne, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, Service of Old Age Psychiatry, Lausanne, Switzerland
- André Berchtold, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, SSP-Institute of Social Sciences, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Christine Maupetit, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, Nursing Department, Geneva, Switzerland
- Armin von Gunten, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, Service of Old Age Psychiatry, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Journal European Review of Aging and Physical Activity
- Online ISSN 1861-6909
- Print ISSN 1813-7253