Exercise May Boost Cognitive Function in People with Dementia

Exercise may improve cognitive functioning in older individuals with dementia, a new study suggests.

Published in the The Cochrane Library, the study also provides evidence that physical activity increased participants' ability to carry out everyday activities.

Because people are living longer, rates of dementia are expected to rise in coming years, the researchers note. Exercise has been proposed as a way to treat the condition or slow its progression due to an improved ability to carry out daily tasks as well as sharpen mental processes, such as memory and attention.

The new study represents an update on a review carried out in 2008 when only four trials on the effects of exercise on older people with dementia were available. The latest analysis utilizes data from twice as many studies that, altogether, included more than 300 people.

"In our previous review, we were unable to draw any conclusions about the effectiveness of exercise in older people with dementia, due to a shortage of appropriate trials," said researcher, Dorothy Forbes, an associate professor of nursing who works at the University of Alberta in Canada. "Following this new review, we are now able to conclude that there is promising evidence for exercise programs improving cognition and the ability to carry out daily activities."

Still, Forbes raises a voice of caution when it comes to interpreting the findings due to significant differences in the outcomes of individual trials. Furthermore, there was no evidence that exercise eased depression in study participants.

Ultimately, the researchers were unable to draw any conclusions on whether exercise increased the overall quality of life for participants.

"Clearly, further research is needed to be able to develop best practice guidelines to enable healthcare providers to advise people with dementia living at home or in institutions," Forbes said. "We also need to understand what level and intensity of exercise is beneficial for someone with dementia."