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Physical training improves motor performance in people with dementia: a randomized controlled trial

Authors

Hauer, Klaus, Schwenk, Michael, Zieschang, Tania, Essig, Marco, Becker, Clemens, Oster, Peter

Journal

Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society, Volume: 60, No.: 1, Pages.: 8-15

Year of Publication

2012

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether a specific, standardized training regimen can improve muscle strength and physical functioning in people with dementia.; Design: Double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial with 3-month intervention and 3-month follow-up period in 2006 to 2009.; Setting: Outpatient geriatric rehabilitation.; Participants: Individuals with confirmed mild to moderate dementia, no severe somatic or psychological disease, and ability to walk 10 m. Most participants were still living independently with or without supportive care.; Intervention: Supervised, progressive resistance and functional group training for 3 months specifically developed for people with dementia (intervention, n = 62) compared with a low-intensity motor placebo activity (control, n = 60).; Measurements: Primary outcome measures were one-repetition maximum in a leg press device for maximal strength and duration of the five-chair-stand test for functional performance. Secondary outcome measures were assessed for a number of established parameters for maximal strength, physical function, and physical activity.; Results: Training significantly improved both primary outcomes (percentage change from baseline: maximal strength, intervention group (IG): +51.5 ± 41.5 kg vs control group (CG): -1.0 ± 28.9 kg, P < .001; functional performance, IG: -25.9 ± 15.1 seconds vs CG: +11.3 ± 60.4 seconds, P < .001). Secondary analysis confirmed effects for all strength and functional parameters. Training gains were partly sustained during follow-up. Low baseline performance on motor tasks but not cognitive impairment predicted positive training response. Physical activity increased significantly during the intervention (P < .001).; Conclusion: The intensive, dementia-adjusted training was feasible and substantially improved motor performance in frail, older people with dementia and may represent a model for structured rehabilitation or outpatient training.; © 2011, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2011, The American Geriatrics Society.

Bibtex Citation

@article{Hauer_2011, doi = {10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03778.x}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03778.x}, year = 2011, month = {dec}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, volume = {60}, number = {1}, pages = {8--15}, author = {Klaus Hauer and Michael Schwenk and Tania Zieschang and Marco Essig and Clemens Becker and Peter Oster}, title = {Physical Training Improves Motor Performance in People with Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial}, journal = {Journal of the American Geriatrics Society} }

Keywords

aged, 80 and over, dementia, doubleblind method, exercise therapy, feasibility studies, female, followup studies, humans, male, methods, motor activity, physical fitness, physiology, physiopathology, rehabilitation, retrospective studies, treatment outcome

Countries of Study

Germany

Types of Dementia

Dementia (general / unspecified)

Types of Study

Randomised Controlled Trial

Type of Outcomes

ADLs/IADLs

Settings

Hospital Outpatient Care

Type of Interventions

Non-pharmacological Treatment

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions

Exercise (inc. dancing)