Scholars@Duke publication: Exercise and behavioural management training improves physical health and reduces depression in people with Alzheimer's disease

Exercise and behavioural management training improves physical health and reduces depression in people with Alzheimer's disease

Publication , Journal Article

Mahendra, N

Published in: Evidence-Based Healthcare

January 1, 2004

Question. Does an exercise programme for people with Alzheimer's disease, plus behavioural management for their caregivers reduce functional dependence compared to routine care? Study design. Randomised controlled trial. Main results. At 3 months follow-up, percentage of participants exercising & ge; 60 min per week increased in the exercise group compared with routine care (82% vs. 62%, p =0.01). Exercise improved levels of physical functioning (SF-36 score, p <0.001) and depression (CSDD, p =0.02) compared with people in routine care (whose levels worsened). At 24 months, longitudinal analyses of all follow-up data revealed improvements in exercise group physical functioning (SF-36, p <0.01) and mobility (SIP, p = 0.02) but not depression (CSDD, p =0.10), compared with routine care. Authors' conclusions. Provision of an integrated programme of exercise and behavioural management training in the home improved the physical health of people with Alzheimer's disease, and reduced depression in the shorter term. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.