Exercise Training in Alzheimers Disease.pdfVIP

Exercise Training in Alzheimers Disease Vol. 35 No. 4, October 1998 Pages 411-419 Exercise and activity level in Alzheimers disease: A potential treatment focus Linda Teri, PhD; Susan M. McCurry, PhD; David M. Buchner, MD; Rebecca G. Logsdon, PhD; Andrea Z. LaCroix, PhD; Walter A. Kukull, PhD; William E. Barlow, PhD; Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195; Northwest Center for Outcomes Research in Older Adults, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108; Department of Prevention and Community Services, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Seattle, WA 98101; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, and Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 Abstract — This article provides information on the baseline health and physical function of 30 individuals with Alzheimers disease (AD); describes a community-based program designed to increase balance, flexibility, strength, and endurance in these persons by the training of caregivers to facilitate and supervise exercise activity; and documents the adherence of these subjects and their caregivers to this intervention. Subjects were recruited from an ongoing, community-based Alzheimers Disease Patient Registry, and met NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for probable or possible AD. Caregivers were family members living with the demented individuals in the community. Physical performance was measured using walking speed, functional reach, and standing balance. Health status was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, the Sickness Impact Profile, and caregiver reports of subjects restricted activity days, bed disability days, falls, and exercise participation. Baseline data indicated that person