A Combined Cognitive Stimulation and Physical Exercise Programme (MINDVital) in Early Dementia: Differential Effects on Single- and Dual-Task Gait Performance.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Gait disorders are common in early dementia, with particularly pronounced dual-task deficits, contributing to the increased fall risk and mobility decline associated with cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE:

This study examines the effects of a combined cognitive stimulation and physical exercise programme (MINDVital) on gait performance under single- and dual-task conditions in older adults with mild dementia.

METHODS:

Thirty-nine patients with early dementia participated in a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation programme comprising both physical exercise and cognitive stimulation. The programme was conducted in 8-week cycles with participants attending once weekly, and all participants completed 2 successive cycles. Cognitive, functional performance and behavioural symptoms were assessed at baseline and at the end of each 8-week cycle. Gait speed was examined under both single- (Timed Up and Go and 6-metre walk tests) and dual-task (animal category and serial counting) conditions. A random effects model was performed for the independent effect of MINDVital on the primary outcome variable of gait speed under dual-task conditions.

RESULTS:

The mean age of patients enroled in the rehabilitation programme was 79 ± 6.2 years; 25 (64.1%) had a diagnosis of Alzheimer's dementia, and 26 (66.7%) were receiving a cognitive enhancer therapy. There was a significant improvement in cognitive performance [random effects coefficient (standard error) = 0.90 (0.31), p = 0.003] and gait speed under both dual-task situations [animal category: random effects coefficient = 0.04 (0.02), p = 0.039; serial counting: random effects coefficient = 0.05 (0.02), p = 0.013], with reduced dual-task cost for gait speed [serial counting: random effects coefficient = -4.05 (2.35), p = 0.086] following successive MINDVital cycles. No significant improvement in single-task gait speed was observed. Improved cognitive performance over time was a significant determinant of changes in dual-task gait speed [random effects coefficients = 0.01 (0.005), p = 0.048, and 0.02 (0.005), p = 0.003 for category fluency and counting backwards, respectively].

CONCLUSION:

A combined physical and cognitive rehabilitation programme leads to significant improvements in dual-task walking in early dementia, which may be contributed by improvement in cognitive performance, as single-task gait performance remained stable.

• Authors: Laura Tay, Wee Shiong Lim, Mark Chan, Noorhazlina Ali, Mei Sian Chong
• Journal: Gerontology (Gerontology) Vol. 62 Issue 6 Pg. 604-610 ( 2016) ISSN: 1423-0003 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 26913768 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Alzheimer Disease (physiopathology, rehabilitation)
• Attention (physiology)
• Cognition (physiology)
• Executive Function (physiology)
• Gait (physiology)
• Humans
• Mobility Limitation
• Task Performance and Analysis
• Walking (physiology)
• Walking Speed (physiology)