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Exploring the effect of aquatic exercise on behaviour and psychological well-being in people with moderate to severe dementia: a pilot study of the Watermemories Swimming Club

Authors

Neville, C., Henwood, T., Beattie, E., Fielding, E.

Journal

Australas J Ageing, Volume: 33, No.: 2, Pages.: 124-7

Year of Publication

2014

Abstract

AIM: To explore the effects of a dementia-specific, aquatic exercise intervention on behavioural and psychological symptoms in people with dementia (BPSD). METHOD: Residents from two aged care facilities in Queensland, Australia, received a 12-week intervention consisting of aquatic exercises for strength, agility, flexibility, balance and relaxation. The Psychological Well-Being in Cognitively Impaired Persons Scale (PW-BCIP) and the Revised Memory and Behaviour Problems Checklist (RMBPC) were completed by registered nurses at baseline, week 6, week 9 and post intervention. RESULTS: Ten women and one man (median age = 88.4 years, interquartile range = 12.3) participated. Statistically significant declines in the RMBPC and PW-BCIP were observed over the study period. CONCLUSION: Preliminary evidence suggests that a dementia-specific, aquatic exercise intervention reduces BPSD and improves psychological well-being in people with moderate to severe dementia. With further testing, this innovative intervention may prove effective in addressing some of the most challenging aspects of dementia care.

Bibtex Citation

@article{Neville_2013, doi = {10.1111/ajag.12076}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12076}, year = 2013, month = {jul}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, volume = {33}, number = {2}, pages = {124--127}, author = {Christine Neville and Tim Henwood and Elizabeth Beattie and Elaine Fielding}, title = {Exploring the effect of aquatic exercise on behaviour and psychological well-being in people with moderate to severe dementia: A pilot study of the Watermemories Swimming Club}, journal = {Australasian Journal on Ageing} }

Keywords

age factors, aged, aged, 80 and over, aging, aquatic, checklist, cognition, dementia, exercise therapy, exercises, female, geriatric assessment, humans, male, memory, mental health, methods, pilot projects, psychology, queensland, severity of illness index, swimming pools, therapy, time factors, treatment outcome

Countries of Study

Australia

Types of Dementia

Dementia (general / unspecified)

Types of Study

Before and After Study

Type of Outcomes

Behaviour, Cognition

Settings

Nursing Homes

Type of Interventions

Non-pharmacological Treatment

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions

Exercise (inc. dancing)