Study Suggests Home-Based Exercise Beneficial For Patients With Alzheimer Disease

Date: Apr-17-2013A randomized controlled trial by Kaisu H. Pitkala, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Helsinki, Finland, and colleagues suggests an intensive and long-term exercise program has beneficial effects on the physical functioning of patients with Alzheimer Disease without increasing costs of health and social services or causing any significant adverse effects. (Online First)

A total of 210 home-dwelling patients with Alzheimer Disease (AD) living with their spouse caregiver participated in the trial. The 3 trial groups included group-based exercise (GE; 4-hour sessions with approximately 1-hour training), tailored home-based exercise (HE; 1-hour training), both twice a week for one year, and a control group (CG) receiving the usual community care.

All groups deteriorated in functioning during the year after randomization, but deterioration was significantly faster in the CG than in the HE or GE group at 6 and 12 months. The total costs of health and social services for the HE patient-caregiver dyads were $25,112, $22,066 in the GE group, and $34,121 in the CG, the study finds.

"In conclusion, this study demonstrates that exercise administrated at the patient's home may attenuate the deleterious effects of AD on physical functioning," the study concludes.
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