Life-space mobility in older adults with Alzheimer's-type dementia.

BACKGROUND: Mobility is an important component of functioning. Motor and cognitive impairment in older people with Alzheimer's disease can exert a negative impact on life-space mobility. OBJECTIVE: To compare life-space mobility in older adults with mild and moderate Alzheimer-type dementia and those without dementia and determine associations with health factors. METHODS: Life-space mobility was assessed using the Life Space Assessment (LSA) in 33 older adults with Alzheimer-type dementia (AD group) and 24 older adults without dementia (WD group). The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE-R), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Modified Baecke Questionnaire for Older Adults (MBQOA), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were completed. Statistical analysis was performed with unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney tests for comparisons between groups and Spearman's correlation test. RESULTS: The AD group had a lower total LSA score compared to the WD group (44 vs 65, mean difference = -20.7 [95% CI: -28.6, -12.9]), 21% of the AD group were restricted to their homes when no assistance was available. In both groups, moderate correlations were found between LSA and both functioning and physical activity level. Symptoms of depression presented moderate correlation only in the WD group. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with AD have lower life-space mobility and require assistance to achieve higher levels of mobility. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: LSA can help assess life-space mobility. Encouraging and enabling assistance is fundamental to a greater life-space for older adults with dementia.

Feasibility of improving strength and functioning and decreasing the risk of falls in older adults with Alzheimer's dementia: a randomized controlled home-based exercise trial.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of a Home-based multimodal exercise program for older people with Alzheimer's disease (AD-HOMEX) on muscle strength, mobility, the risk of falls and functioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A trial with a blinded assessor was conducted involving 40 older people with mild to moderate AD randomized to an intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). The IG participated in a 16-week protocol with three 60-minute sessions per week. The sessions were performed at the participant's home by a physiotherapist and involved progressive individualized physical exercises. Muscle strength (5X Sit-to-Stand Test [5XSTS], 30-Second Chair Stand test, isokinetic and hand-grip dynamometer), functioning (DAFS-R and ADL-Q), mobility and the risk of falls (TUG) were assessed at baseline and after training. Intention-to-treat analysis was adopted. RESULTS: There was a significant group-evaluation time interaction for the 5XSTS (p = 0.011). The IG demonstrated an improved performance on the 5XSTS (p = 0.020) and a reduced risk of falls (p = 0.000), whereas the CG exhibited a worse functional limitation (p = 0.008) after 16 weeks. The CG had an increased risk of falls (p = 0.006) and worse performance on the ADL-Q (p = 0.047) at the follow-up evaluation. An improvement in the IG and worsening in the CG were found regarding transition patterns between severity levels of functional limitation based on the ADL-Q. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based physical exercise for older people with mild to moderate AD is an effective strategy that decreases the risk of falls and improves strength and functioning.

Feasibility of reducing frailty components in older adults with Alzheimer's dementia: a randomized controlled home-based exercise trial (AD-HOMEX).

OBJECTIVES: There is a need for interventions to reduce frailty in older people with Alzheimer's dementia (AD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a home-based multimodal exercise program for older adults with AD (AD-HOMEX) on frailty. DESIGN: A parallel single-blind randomized controlled trial comparing a home-based exercise program and usual care. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A home-based program in Brazil. Forty individuals aged 65years or older with mild to moderate AD. METHODS: The intervention group (IG) participated in a 16-week protocol involving three 60-minute sessions per week of progressive individualized physical exercises supervised by a physical therapist. The participants in the control group (CG) maintained their usual care. Frailty was assessed using the FRAIL questionnaire, the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) and a subjective assessment by the evaluator (SAE) at baseline and follow-up. Per-protocol analysis was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-five participants completed the program (IG = 16; CG = 19). Frailty improved in the IG based on the EFS (P = .004) and FRAIL (P ≤ .001). An interaction between group and time (P = .008) and a significant difference between times (P = .047) were found for the SAE responsiveness domain. An improvement in the classification of frailty (EFS and FRAIL) was found between times in the IG (P = .003) and between groups at follow-up (P = .027). A significant difference in the SAE classification was found between groups at follow-up (P = .034), with a worsening between times in the CG (P = .032). Interestingly, a more favorable frailty transition pattern was found in the IG based on both the EFS and FRAIL. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: AD-HOMEX seems to reduce frailty and improve frailty transition patterns. Our findings provide a further theoretical basis for designing home-based physical interventions as routine practice for older frail adults with AD.

Effects of application of texture insoles on the balance of subjects with Multiple Sclerosis / Efeitos da aplicação de palmilhas com textura no equilíbrio de sujeitos com Esclerose Múltipla

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on static and dynamic balance after the use of textured insoles. Method: Fifteen subjects with multiple sclerosis were evaluated before using the insoles, after using them for 1 month, and after 2 months without using, them using the following measuring instruments: the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, and 10-meter Walk Test, a means of functional gait assessment. Results: Improvement was observed in the Berg Balance Scale and Dynamic Gait Index scores, walking time, number of steps and step length after using the insoles for 1 month. The improvement in Berg Balance Scale score remained after two months without the insoles and there were no changes in gait speed. Conclusion: The use of textured insoles was effective as an intervention to improve static and dynamic balance in patients with multiple sclerosis.(AU)

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos sobre o equilíbrio estático e dinâmico após o uso de palmilhas texturizadas. Método: Quinze indivíduos com esclerose múltipla foram avaliados antes de usar as palmilhas, após usá-las por 1 mês e depois de 2 meses sem usá-las, utilizando os seguintes instrumentos de medição: a Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg, Dynamic Gait Index e teste de caminhada de 10 metros, meios de avaliação funcional da marcha. Resultados: Houve melhora na pontuação Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg e Dynamic Gait Index, tempo de caminhada, o número de passos e comprimento do passo depois de usar as palmilhas. A melhora permaneceu após dois meses sem as palmilhas e não houve mudanças na velocidade da marcha. Conclusão: O uso de palmilhas texturizadas foi eficaz como uma intervenção para melhorar o equilíbrio estático e dinâmico em pacientes com esclerose múltipla.(AU)