Evidence supporting exercise interventions for persons in early-stage Alzheimer’s disease

Authors

  • Linda Buettner, PhD, CTRS, LRT
  • Nancy E. Richeson, PhD, CTRS
  • Fang Yu, PhD
  • Sandy C. Burgener, APRN-BC, FAAN, PhD
  • Kathleen Coen Buckwalter, PhD, RN, FAAN
  • Elizabeth Beattie, PhD
  • Ann L. Bossen, MSN, RN
  • Donna M. Fick, PhD, APRN-BC
  • Suzanne Fitzsimmons, MS, APRN-BC
  • Ann Kolanowski, PhD, FAAN
  • Karen Rose, PhD, RN
  • Janet K. Pringle Specht, PhD, RN, FAAN
  • Ingelin Testad, PhD, RN
  • Sharon McKenzie, PhD, CTRS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2008.0004

Keywords:

Alzheimer's, early stage, exercise

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to grade research evidence supporting exercise-based interventions for persons with early-stage dementias and to report the recommendations of a consensus panel. The search produced 11 databased articles testing the effects of exercise interventions on a variety of outcomes. The body of evidence to support exercise interventions in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is growing and has potential as a treatment modality following translational studies in recreation therapy and other fields.

Author Biographies

Linda Buettner, PhD, CTRS, LRT

University North Carolina at Greensboro, Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Nancy E. Richeson, PhD, CTRS

Associate Professor, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, College of Nursing and Health Professions, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine.

Fang Yu, PhD

Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sandy C. Burgener, APRN-BC, FAAN, PhD

Associate Professor University of Illinois College of Nursing Urbana, Illinois.

Kathleen Coen Buckwalter, PhD, RN, FAAN

Sally Mathis Hartwig Professor, Gerontological Nursing; Director, The John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Elizabeth Beattie, PhD

School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Ann L. Bossen, MSN, RN

Adjunct Faculty, College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Donna M. Fick, PhD, APRN-BC

Associate Professor of Nursing, College of Health and Human Development; Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, School of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.

Suzanne Fitzsimmons, MS, APRN-BC

Consultant,. Greensboro, North Carolina.

Ann Kolanowski, PhD, FAAN

Professor, School of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.

Karen Rose, PhD, RN

Assistant Professor of Nursing, Acute and Specialty Care, School of Nursing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Janet K. Pringle Specht, PhD, RN, FAAN

Associate Professor, John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Ingelin Testad, PhD, RN

Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.

Sharon McKenzie, PhD, CTRS

William and Sylvia Silberstein Aging and Dementia Research Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.

References

Hebert LE, Scherr PA, Bienjas JL, et al.: Alzheimer disease in the US population: Prevalence estimates using the 2000 census. Arch Neurol. 2003; 60(8): 1119-1122.

Heyn P, Abreu BC, Ottenbacher KJ. The effects of exercise training on elderly persons with cognitive impairment and dementia: A meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004; 85(10): 1694-1704.

Larson EB, Wang L, Bowen JD, et al.: Exercise is associated with reduced risk for incident dementia among persons 65 years of age and older. Ann Intern Med. 2006; 144(1): 73-81.

Reisberg B, Franssen EH, Souren LE, et al.: Progression of Alzheimer’s disease: Variability and consistency: Ontogenic models, their applicability and relevance. J Neural Transm Suppl. 1998; 54, 9-20.

Adlard AP, Perreau VM, Pop V, et al.: Voluntary exercise decreases amyloid load in a transgenic model of Alzheimer’s disease. JNeurosci. 2004; 25(17): 4217-4221.

Kramer AK, Bherer L, Colcombe SJ, et al.: Environmental influences on cognitive and brain plasticity during aging. J Gerontol. 2004; 59(9): M940-M947.

Fillit HM, Butler RN, O’Connell AW, et al.: Achieving and maintaining cognitive vitality with aging. Mayo Clinic Proc. 2002; 77(7): 681-696.

Ball LJ, Birge SJ: Prevention of brain aging and dementia. Clin Geriatric Med. 2002; 18(3): 485-503.

American College of Sports Medicine: Guidelines for Graded Exercise Testing and Exercise Prescription. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger, 1986.

Thomas VS, Hageman PA. Can neuromuscular strength and function in people with dementia be rehabilitated using resistance-exercise training? Results from a preliminary intervention study. J Gerontol A. 2003; 58(8): 746-751.

Huang CA: Tai Ji: Essential Tai Ji. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts of Ten Speed Press, 2001.

Teri L, Gibbons LE, McCurry SM, et al.: Exercise plus behavioral management in patients with Alzheimer disease. J Am Med Assoc. 2003; 290(15): 2015-2022.

Burgener SC, Gilbert R, Mathy R, J Alzheimer’s Dis Relat Disord, under review.

Sanglier I, Sarazin M, Zinetti, J: Tai Chi, body and cognitive rehabilitation of Alzheimer’s and related diseases. Soins. 2004; 685: 42-43.

Rosendahl E, Lindelof N, Littbrand H, et al.: High-intensity functional exercise proram and protein-enriched energy supplement for older persons dependent in activities of daily living: A randomized controlled trial. Aust JPhysiother. 2006: 52; 105-113.

Arkin SM: Student-led exercise sessions yield significant fitness gains for Alzheimer’s patients. Am J Alzheimer’s Dis Other Dement. 2003; 18(3): 159-170.

Teri L, McCurry SM, Buchner D, et al.: Exercise and activity level in Alzheimer’s disease: A potential treatment focus. J Rehabil Res and Dev. 1998; 35: 411-419.

Palleschi F, Vetta E, De Gennaro G, et al.: Effect of aerobic training on the cognitive performance of elderly patients with senile dementia of alzheimer type. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 1996; 22: 47-50.

Rolland Y, Rival L, Pillard F, et al.: Feasibility of regular physical exercise for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer disease. JNutr Health Aging. 2000; 4: 109-113.

Regan C, Katona C, Walker Z, et al.: Relationship of exercise and other risk factors to depression of Alzheimer disease: The LASER-AD study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2005; 20: 261-269.

Klein PJ, Adams WD: Comprehensive therapeutic benefits of Taiji: A critical review. Amer J Phys Med Rehab. 2004; 83(9): 735-745.

Khalsa DS: Integrated medicine and the prevention and reversal ofmemory loss. Altern Ther Health Med. 1998; 4(6): 38-43.

Yu F, Kolanowski A, Strumpf NE, et al.: Promoting cognition and function through exercise intervention in Alzheimer’s disease. JNurs Scholarsh. 2006; 38(4): 358-365.

Colcombe SJ, Kramer AF: Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults: A meta-analytic study. Psychol Sci. 2003; 14: 125-130.

Downloads

Published

01/01/2008

How to Cite

Buettner, PhD, CTRS, LRT, L., Richeson, PhD, CTRS, N. E., Yu, PhD, F., Burgener, APRN-BC, FAAN, PhD, S. C., Buckwalter, PhD, RN, FAAN, K. C., Beattie, PhD, E., Bossen, MSN, RN, A. L., Fick, PhD, APRN-BC, D. M., Fitzsimmons, MS, APRN-BC, S., Kolanowski, PhD, FAAN, A., Rose, PhD, RN, K., Pringle Specht, PhD, RN, FAAN, J. K., Testad, PhD, RN, I., & McKenzie, PhD, CTRS, S. (2008). Evidence supporting exercise interventions for persons in early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 7(1), 17–24. https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2008.0004

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2008): Winter

Section

Articles

License

Copyright 2000-2023, Weston Medical Publishing, LLC 
All Rights Reserved

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>