[Evaluation of pharmacologic treatment associated with motor-activation therapy in the prevention of senile impairment]. / Valutazione di un trattamento farmacologico associato a terapia di attivazione motoria nella prevenzione del decadimento senile.

ABSTRACT

The study was designed to assess any changes in certain aspects of aging produced by combined drug (buflomedil) and motor activation therapy (MAT). The study was conducted on 3 selected groups of 10 women aged 60-74 years with initial signs of mental and physical senile impairment as revealed by appropriate psychometric and laboratories tests. The 3 groups (I control, II MAT, III buflomedil + MAT) were given a series of cognitive, behavioural, affective and cardiovascular tests before and after the 6-month study. The results showed a deterioration in the parameters considered among the control group and a significant improvement especially in cardiovascular, affective and behavioural parameters as well as certain cognitive aspects (attention, mental state) in the group treated with MAT only. The combination of MAT and buflomedil had a positive influence on all parameters considered. In particular it acted extensively on the cognitive parameters. It is therefore concluded that the combination of MAT and drug treatment is a valid system for the prevention of senile impairment since it acts on the main biological, psychological and social aspects of the elderly patient.