Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2000;4(2):109-13.

Feasibility [corrected] of regular physical exercise for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer disease

Y Rolland  1 , L Rival, F Pillard, C Lafont, D Rivére, J Albaréde, B Vellas
Affiliations
  • PMID: 10842423

Feasibility [corrected] of regular physical exercise for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer disease

Y Rolland et al. J Nutr Health Aging. 2000.

Abstract

Background: Physical activity delays loss of autonomy in the elderly. In patients with Alzheimer disease (AD), physical activity could be a useful strategy in therapeutic management by delaying loss of functional independence and the usual complications of the disease.

Objective: To determine, using standardized tools, the effects on autonomy (ADL, IADL), cognitive function (MMS), nutritional status (MNA), behavioral problems (NPI) and risk of falls (Tinetti test) of a physical exercise program in patients with AD.

Design: Twenty-three subjects (13 men and 10 women, aged 71-92 years, mean 78 years) with AD (mean MMS 16, range 1-23) carried out for a mean of 7 weeks (5-12 weeks) a program of endurance exercise (walking, exercise bicycle) adapted to their individual capacities. Standardized gerontological evaluation was performed before and after the study.

Results: No significant change in autonomy (ADL, IADL) was observed. There was an improvement in the MNA (p<0.001) and the MMS (p<0.001). Risk of falls (p<0.01) and behavioral problems (p<0.05) decreased. These results were obtained without increasing family workload.

Conclusion: We suggest that physical activity is a therapeutic option which can reduce nutritional and behavioral complications and risk of falls in subjects with AD.

PubMed Disclaimer

Publication types