Cognitive Decline In Dementia

Dementia is a clinical term which is used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders that affects an estimated 47.5 million people worldwide and can manifest in a variety of different ways.

Symptoms of dementia typically include memory problems that can make it difficult to impossible to retain new information or recognise once familiar places, reduce concentration, ability to interpret information, and difficulty communicating.

Exercise is most well known for being beneficial both physically and mentally by improving strength and cardiovascular fitness as well as boosting self esteem and moods which is positive for general wellbeing. It was publicized that cardiovascular benefits may reduce risks of developing dementia or slow the onset of more severe dementia symptoms.

Several recent studies have reported that exercise may improve and even slow down mental decline, but there have also been studies with conflicting results. Researchers conducted this study to assess the effects of physical activity on dementia.

Close to 500 patients with the average age of 77 diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia participated in this study. ⅔ of the participants followed supervised exercise routines twice weekly for 4 months plus additional home exercises with ongoing support; the remaining third received the standard usual care.

Alzheimer’s disease assessment score were determined at onset of the trial and again at 6 months, then again at 12 months. Quality of life, number of falls, and activities of daily living were also assessed at those times.

There was short term improvements in physical fitness among participants in the exercise group, however cognitive impairment at the 12 month mark had declined a similar amount in both groups; no difference was noted in other assessed outcomes such as number of falls and quality of life.

Patients with dementia did have beneficial physical fitness, but the benefits did not translate into  slowing cognitive impairment or behaviour, according to the researchers. Limitations included the period of exercise may have been too short to produce positive benefits.