How does physical activity benefit people living with dementia? A systematic review to identify the potential mechanisms of action

How does physical activity benefit people living with dementia? A systematic review to identify the potential mechanisms of action Jan Pringle, Ruth Jepson, Alison Dawson, Louise McCabe, Alison Bowes Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.- One limitation of research that assesses the effectiveness of physical activity interventions for people with dementia is that most do not describe the intervention in sufficient detail to ascertain a theoretical basis or mechanism of action that determines the effective components. This paper aims to identify studies which evaluate the mechanisms of action of physical activity interventions for people with dementia, to further inform effective intervention development. Papers were screened for evidence of evaluation of specific forms of physical activity, using pre-defined inclusion criteria. Analysis was conducted to ascertain if mechanisms of action were corroborated by data within and between studies. The authors identified 26 studies with a measured mechanism of action; these related to the effects of physical activity on either neurological structure or endocrinal markers, including hormones. Physical activity had potential to reduce hippocampal atrophy, increase neural recruitment, activate the noradrenergic system and improve anti-inflammatory responses. While individual studies were hampered by small sample sizes, the body of evidence indicated that phy...
Source: Quality in Ageing and Older Adults - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: research