Do Dementia Patients Benefit From Physical Activity?

The development of a Core Outcome Set is needed in regard to evaluating outcomes associated with physical activity among individuals with dementia, according to a recent systematic review.

Physical activity is recommended for individuals with dementia. However, evidence for the benefits of physical activity is limited due to the use of heterogeneous outcomes and measurement tools.
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In April 2015, the researchers identified 130 studies via Delphis and Medline published from 2005 onwards that had reported on any type of physical activity, in any setting, across types of dementia and stages of disease progression.

The frequency of reported outcomes and measurement tools was examined using a content analysis approach.

Overall, the studies included in the review had reported on 133 different outcome domains and 267 different measurement tools. Results of the review revealed that the most frequently reported outcome domains included “Functional abilities and independence’ (n = 69), ‘Global cognitive function’ (n = 65), ‘Balance’ (n = 43), ‘Global behavioral symptoms of dementia’ (n = 42) and ‘Health-related quality of life’ (n = 40), while “Enjoyment” was the most frequently sought outcome by patients and caregivers.

“The need for the development and implementation of a Core Outcome Set has been reinforced,” the researchers concluded. “Ahead of the completion of the Core Outcome Set, researchers and clinicians are advised to measure the impact of physical activity interventions on these frequently reported outcome domains.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Gonçalves AC, Cruz J, Marques A, Demain S, Samuel D. Evaluating physical activity in dementia: a systematic review of outcomes to inform the development of a core outcome set. Age Ageing. 2018;47(1):34-41. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afx135.