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MeSH TERMS
* activities of daily living
* Alzheimer disease
* exercise therapy
* occupational therapy
* treatment outcome
OBJECTIVE. Alzheimer's disease (AD) results in a loss of independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), which in turn affects the quality of life of affected people and places a burden on caretakers. Limited research has examined the influence of physical training (aerobic, balance, and strength training) on ADL performance of people with AD.
METHOD. Six randomized controlled trials (total of 446 participants) fit the inclusion criteria. For each study, we calculated effect sizes for primary and secondary outcomes.
RESULTS. Average effect size (95% confidence interval) for exercise on the primary outcome (ADL performance) was 0.80 (p < .001). Exercise had a moderate impact on the secondary outcome of physical function (effect size 5 0.53, p 5 .004).
CONCLUSION. Occupational therapy intervention that includes aerobic and strengthening exercises may help improve independence in ADLs and improve physical performance in people with AD. Additional research is needed to identify specific components of intervention and optimal dosage to develop clinical guidelines.
Rao, A. K., Chou, A., Bursley, B., Smulofsky, J., & Jezequel, J. (2014). Systematic review of the effects of exercise on activities of daily living in people with Alzheimer's disease. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68, 50-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.009035
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by loss in cognitive function, abnormal behavior, and decreased ability to perform basic activities of daily living (ADLs; Mayeux, 2010). Ultimately, these symptoms affect quality of life of both people with AD and their caregivers. AD is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of all cases (Jellinger & Attems, 2007; Schneider, Arvanitakis, Bang, & Bennett, 2007). An estimated 5.4 million Americans, nearly two-thirds of whom are women, have been diagnosed with AD (Hebert, Scherr, Bienias, Bennett, & Evans, 2003; Plassman et al., 2007; Seshadri et al., 1997). It is predicted that by 2030, the number of Americans age 65 yr and older with AD will increase to 7.7 million (Hebert et al., 2003).
AD results in tremendous societal and economic strain. Caring for people with AD often leads to depression, emotional anxiety, and a host of other negative consequences for caregivers (Monin & Schulz,...