ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding the benefits of physical activity on the mental processing information of patients with Alzheimer's disease assessed objectively is scarce and can be observed through event-related potentials, such as the P300. The aim of the study was to identify the effects of physical exercises on mental processing information in the elderly with Alzheimer's disease through neurophysiological measures (P300 amplitude and latency) and reaction time. METHODS: A total of 31 patients with Alzheimer's disease participated in this study: 14 in functional exercise (FE) group and 17 in social gathering (SG) group who carried out three 1-hour sessions per week of FE and SG activities, respectively, for a 12-week period. All groups performed an auditory oddball task. A healthy elderly control group also participated. RESULTS: Significant (P < .05) improvements were observed as a reduction of reaction time after intervention in the FE group (pre = 421.5 ms and post = 360.9 ms). Also, an increase of P300 amplitude at central midline (pre = 5.9 µV and post = 6.9 µV) and parietal midline (pre = 4.7 µV and post = 5.7 µV) was observed in the FE. Finally, a decrease in the P300 latency at frontal midline (pre = 377 ms and post = 367 ms) was observed in the SG after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Physical exercise decreases reaction time and suggests a recovery in cortical activity, whereas SG activities could probably facilitate information processing.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology , Cognition/physiology , Event-Related Potentials, P300/physiology , Exercise/physiology , Reaction Time/physiology , Aged , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Neuropsychiatric symptoms are frequent in Alzheimer's disease and negatively affect patient quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of cognitive stimulation on neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: The included articles were reviewed between December 2015 and June 2016, and the inclusion criteria were: (1) studies involving older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease; (2) studies published in English, Spanish or Portuguese; (3) studies that determined the effect of cognitive stimulation on neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease; (4) controlled trials. RESULTS: Out of the total 722, 9 articles matched the inclusion criteria. Depression, apathy and anxiety were the most frequent symptoms. CONCLUSION: Studies reported significant results post-treatment, suggesting cognitive stimulation can be effective for these neuropsychiatric symptoms, thus improving the quality of life of Alzheimer's disease patients and their caregivers.
INTRODUÇÃO: Sintomas neuropsiquiátricos são frequentes na doença de Alzheimer e afetam negativamente a qualidade de vida destes pacientes. OBJETIVO: Avaliação da eficácia da estimulação cognitiva sobre os sintomas neuropsiquiátricos em idosos com doença de Alzheimer. MÉTODOS: Os artigos incluídos foram revisados no período de Dezembro (2015) à Junho (2016) e os critérios de inclusão foram: (1) estudos com idosos com diagnóstico de doença de Alzheimer; (2) estudos publicados em Inglês, Espanhol e Português; (3) estudos que verificaram o efeito da estimulação cognitiva nos sintomas neuropsiquiátricos em idosos com doença de Alzheimer; (4) ensaios controlados. RESULTADOS: Do total de 722, 9 artigos corresponderam aos critérios de inclusão. Depressão, apatia e ansiedade foram os distúrbios mais frequentes. CONCLUSÃO: Após tratamento, estudos relataram resultados significativos, o que sugere que a estimulação cognitiva pode ser eficaz nestes sintomas neuropsiquiátricos, melhorando assim, a qualidade de vida de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer, bem como, de seus cuidadores.
