Active lifestyle for older adults with dementia: Wheelchair biking versus other recreational therapy interventions

Authors

  • Linda Buettner, PhD, LRT, CTRS†
  • Suzanne Fitzsimmons, MSN, GNP, ARNP
  • Jeffrey D. Labban, MS, PhD
  • Beth E. Barba, PhD, RN, FAGHE, FAAN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2013.0038

Keywords:

recreation therapy intervention, older adults with dementia, long-term care, engagement, wheelchair biking

Abstract

This article provides a secondary analysis of data collected from a recreation therapy intervention trial for older adults with dementia and neuropsychiatric symptoms. In a subsample of 54 individuals who received wheelchair (WC) biking on some days and other recreation therapy interventions on other days, a comparison of engagement levels, time engaged, and encouragement needed was completed. The analysis showed that WC biking provided significantly more time on task and significantly higher levels of engagement, and less encouragement was needed. Collecting recreation therapy session engagement data was found to be a simple and useful method of comparing effectiveness of recreation therapy interventions.

Author Biographies

Linda Buettner, PhD, LRT, CTRS†

Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina

Suzanne Fitzsimmons, MSN, GNP, ARNP

School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina; Research Associate, Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Project.

Jeffrey D. Labban, MS, PhD

Office of Research, School of Health and Human Science, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Beth E. Barba, PhD, RN, FAGHE, FAAN

Professor and Director of the PhD Program Project Director, Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Project, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina.

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Published

01/01/2013

How to Cite

Buettner, PhD, LRT, CTRS†, L., Fitzsimmons, MSN, GNP, ARNP, S., Labban, MS, PhD, J. D., & Barba, PhD, RN, FAGHE, FAAN, B. E. (2013). Active lifestyle for older adults with dementia: Wheelchair biking versus other recreational therapy interventions. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 12(1), 31–40. https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2013.0038

Issue

Section

Articles