Effects of an Exercise Program for Nursing Home Patients With Dementia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of an exercise program on nursing home patients with dementia.

Detailed Description
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The intervention group will be exercising one hour twice a week for 12 weeks. The participants will be doing intensive strength exercises and challenging balance exercises in groups of 4-6. Two physical therapists will be leading the intervention group. The control group will be meeting at the same frequency. Groups of 4-6 will be lead by an occupational therapist. The participants will be doing relaxation exercises, listen to music and social activities such as board games or indoor bowling. The investigators will carry out three test periods: Baseline testing before intervention start Post test after 12 weeks of intervention Follow-up 12 weeks after post test. The testing will comprise: Physical tests carried out by physiotherapists Questionnaires concerning mental health and ADL (activities of daily living) Cognition tests Cortisol in saliva

Official Title
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Effects of an Exercise Program for Nursing Home Patients With Dementia - a Six Months Assessor Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Dementia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Intensive exercise
* Behavioral: Control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: >55 years old Living in nursing home Able to stand with help from max 1 Able to walk 6 meters with or without walking aid Exclusion Criteria: Medically unstable Longterm psychotic Severe communication problems

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intensive exercise<br>Intensive strengthening and balance exercises 1 hour twice a week 12 weeks. Lead by physiotherapists. | Behavioral: Intensive exercise<br>* Arm 1: Intervention group. Intensive strength exercise (12RM) for lower limb and balance exercises twice a week for 1 hour. Groups of max 3 participants lead by physiotherapist<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Control<br>Control group activities: Social activities one hour twice a week. Light physical activities, reading, conversation, games. Lead by occupational therapist or nursing staff | Behavioral: Control<br>* Arm 2: control. Social activity group with light exercise, reading, and games. Lead by occupational therapist or nursing staff<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Berg Balance Scale |  | 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Exercise, dementia, nursing home