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Evaluation of exercise on individuals with dementia and their carers: a randomised controlled trial

Cerga-Pashoja, Arlinda, Lowery, David, Bhattacharya, Rahul, Griffin, Mark, Iliffe, Steve, Lee, James, Leonard, Claire, Ricketts, Sue, Strother, Lyn, Waters, Fiona, and others. (2010) Evaluation of exercise on individuals with dementia and their carers: a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 11 (53). ISSN 1745-6215. (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-11-53) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:36513)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-11-53

Abstract

Background

Almost all of the 820,000 people in the UK with dementia will experience Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). However, research has traditionally focused on treating cognitive symptoms, thus neglecting core clinical symptoms that often have a more profound impact on living with dementia. Recent evidence (Kales et al, 2007; Ballard et al, 2009) indicates that the popular approach to managing BPSD - prescription of anti-psychotic medication - can increase mortality and the risk of stroke in people with dementia as well as impair quality of life and accelerate cognitive decline. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate the impact that non-pharmacological interventions have on BPSD; we believe physical exercise is a particularly promising approach.

Methods/Design

We will carry out a pragmatic, randomised, single-blind controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise (planned walking) on the behavioural and psychological symptoms of individuals with dementia. We aim to recruit 146 people with dementia and their carers to be randomized into two groups; one will be trained in a structured, tailored walking programme, while the other will continue with treatment as usual. The primary outcome (BPSD) will be assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) along with relevant secondary outcomes at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks.

Discussion

Designing this study has been challenging both ethically and methodologically. In particular to design an intervention that is simple, measurable, safe, non-invasive and enjoyable has been testing and has required a lot of thought. Throughout the design, we have attempted to balance methodological rigour with study feasibility. We will discuss the challenges that were faced and overcome in this paper.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1186/1745-6215-11-53
Additional information: Trial Registration ISRCTN01423159
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Women
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Tony Rees
Date Deposited: 15 Nov 2013 16:01 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:13 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/36513 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Lowery, David.

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