Effect of an 18-Month Walking Intervention on the Rest-Activity Rhythm of Older Adults With Mild-Moderate Dementia.

The objective of this 18-month walking intervention was to evaluate the effect on rest-activity rhythm (RAR) for older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia (65.8% female; aged M = 82.4 [SD = 6.5]). The intervention group (n = 44) was intended to walk 30 min, five times per week for 18 months. The control group (n = 35) received sedentary activities or usual care. RAR was measured at baseline to after 18 months and five times in between actigraphy outcome variables (interdaily stability, intradaily variability, relative amplitude, activity 10 most active hours, and activity 5 least active hours). Hierarchical mixed model analyses revealed no significant intervention effects (with or without baseline confounders as covariate) on RAR. However, participants in the intervention group were able to significantly increase their daily life activity (activity 10 most active hours) from the onset of the preceding measurement, b = 0.10, t(239.32) = 2.36, p = .019. More research is warranted to study the effect of regular walks on older persons with dementia whose RAR is worst at baseline.

Observing videos of mastication in dementia: Results of a clustered randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine effects of the observation of video-recorded chewing in a daily setting on mixing ability, cognition, activities of daily living, depressive symptoms and quality of life of older adults with dementia. METHODS: A clustered randomised controlled trial was carried out with residents from 14 residential care facilities. n = 56 participants' data were analysed. An experimental group watched videos of people chewing, displayed on tablet-PCs during lunch, while a control group watched videos of nature and buildings. This was scheduled to take place 5 days a week for 12 weeks. A two-colour chewing gum test was used to measure mixing ability, neuropsychological tests for cognition and questionnaires for the other outcomes. Effects were examined via hierarchical linear mixed model analyses for T1-T3 (i.e. pre-, halfway and post-intervention). When a significant interaction effect was found, T4 (follow-up) was also included. RESULTS: The experimental (n = 27) and control (n = 28) groups differed on a few variables at baseline. A significant Time*Group interaction effect was found for the Mini-Mental State Examination only (b = 1.18, t(48.35) = 2.53, p = .015), in favour of the experimental group. A significant effect was also found, albeit smaller, when T4 was included. CONCLUSION: One potential reason for the intervention effect on cognition is activation of specific brain areas. Some challenges associated with conducting this intervention in a daily setting are presented. Further research is required before a well-considered decision can be made regarding any potential implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Number: NTR5124. Date of registration: 30 March 2015, retrospectively registered (during participant inclusion).

Lower limb muscle strength (LLMS): why sedentary life should never start? A review.

Aging coincides with a decline in LLMS. Preserving LLMS may be considered a very important determinant of functional independence in the elderly. To maintain LLMS the question arises whether habitual physical activities (HPA) can prevent a decline in LLMS. This review aims to determine the relationship between HPA throughout life and LLMS above age 50. Using relevant databases and keywords, 70 studies that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed and where possible, a meta-analysis was performed. The main findings are: (1) the present level of HPA is positively related to LLMS; (2) HPA in the past has little effect on present LLMS; (3) HPA involving endurance have less influence on LLMS compared to HPA involving strength; (4) people with a stable habitually physically active life are able to delay a decline in LLMS. In conclusion, to obtain a high amount of LLMS during aging, it is important to achieve and maintain a high level of HPA with mainly muscle-strengthening activities.