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Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Translated Title

探討於社區據點對失智老人進行運動介入其身體功能之成效：前趨研究

Abstract

The care-issue for dementia is becoming more important as the elderly dementia population rapidly increases in Taiwan. Although many studies show exercise intervention is effective in slowing the disease progression of people with dementia living in institutions, there is insufficient evidence regarding individuals with dementia living in the community. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess if a once a week group exercise session along with four home exercise sessions per week is effective in improving the balance, mobility, muscle strength and aerobic endurance in community dwelling elders with dementia. This study recruited 18 elders above 65 years of age diagnosed with dementia who lived in the community, and allocated them into two groups. The exercise group received group exercise once a week and were assigned home exercises to be done four times a week, while the comparison group received music therapy once a week. Both groups underwent intervention for 12 weeks, and were assessed as to their balance (Berg Balance Test, Functional reach test), mobility (8 ft. time up and go test), muscle strength (30 second chair sit and stand) and aerobic endurance (six minute walk test). The Wilcoxon Signed Ranked test was used to compare the difference before and after intervention within groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences between groups, with statistical significance set at α=0.05. The results show significant improvements in the balance, mobility, muscle strength and aerobic endurance in the exercise group after receiving weekly group exercise along with four home exercises sessions, while there was no significant change in the comparison group which received weekly group music therapy. In an intervention model based in the community, group exercise combined with home exercise can improve the balance, mobility, muscle strength and aerobic endurance of elders with dementia living in the community. This method not only improves the physical status of community dwelling elders with dementia, but it hopefully slows the degeneration process.

Language

Traditional Chinese

First Page

49

Last Page

57

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