Rolland, Y., Pillard, F., Klapouszczak, A., Reynish, E., Thomas, D., Sandrine, A., Riviere, D., Vellas, B. (2007). Exercise Program for Nursing Home Residents with Alzheimer's Disease: A 1-Year Randomized, Controlled Trial. Journal of the American Geriatric Society, 55(158), 158-165.
Purpose
The purpose of this randomized control trial was to determine whether an exercise program would reduce decline in activities of daily living (ADL) in people with Alzheimer's disease living in nursing homes over a 12 month period.
Participants
One hundred thirty four ambulatory patients with mild to severe Alzheimer's disease participated in the study, coming from 5 nursing homes. Subjects were randomly assigned to either exercise program or routine care conditions.
Methods
The study was a 12-month, multi-center, randomized controlled single-blind study of experimental and control groups of ambulatory subjects with AD living in nursing homes in Toulouse, France. Subjects, rather than nursing homes, were randomized to condition in order to avoid confounding effects related to setting. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months. The exercise program consisted of one, one-hour session twice a week, and included aerobic, strength, flexibility and balance training. Walking was required for at least half of the session.
Results
At 6 months and 12 months, ADL scores declined significantly in both groups. At 12 months, mean ADL score reduction was significantly lower in exercisers than in the routine care groups. Exercise program group participants declined approximately one-third as much as the routine medical care patients. Significant improvement in walking speed was observed in the exercise group at 6 and 12 months.
Conclusions
The results of this study indicate that a moderate exercise program may significantly slow the progressive deterioration in ability to perform ADL's in people with AD living in nursing homes. ADL abilities may be a key determination of the quality of life and cost of care for those living with Alzheimer's disease.