ABSTRACT
Background: We present the design and implementation of a rehabilitation program (RP) adapted for people diagnosed with various phases of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The RP is a cognitive stimulation program that integrates the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine for aerobic, resistance, and balance exercises.
Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the RP on the physical and functional capacities, cognitive functions, and quality of life (QOL) of patients with AD.
Methods: We enrolled 64 participants with AD for an RP intervention lasting 12 months. The research used a quasiexperimental approach. Assessed variables included cognitive ability (Mini-Mental State Examination), fitness (Chair Stand Test), level of independence (Barthel Index), and QOL (the 12-item Short Form Health Survey). Statistical analyses used the Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and the chi-squared test. The statistical significance level was set at 5%.
Results: The results indicate the effectiveness of the RP in improving the physical fitness and the QOL of participants with mild- to moderate-phase AD.
Conclusions/Implications for Practice: The RP has a positive effect on patients with mild- to moderate-phase AD. However, we identified no effect for the RP on cognitive ability. These findings provide empirical evidence to support the use of RP as an effective complementary therapy. Improving the physical capacity and the QOL may have important long-term benefits for the older adults and their caregivers. The results of this study should be helpful to decision makers and geriatric health centers in planning and implementing RPs for elderly people with AD.