Effect of Exercise Training in Alzheimer's Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The objective of this study was to examine the effects of exercise training on physical function and biochemical markers in elderly Alzheimer's disease patients.

Detailed Description
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Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive and irreversible degeneration of nerve cells. The loss of these cells leads to the continuous decline in muscle function with alterations in biochemical and haematological parameters. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of exercise training on physical function and biochemical markers in elderly Alzheimer's disease patients.

Official Title
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Effect of Exercise Training on Biochemical and Gait/Balance Parameters in Alzheimer's Patients

Conditions
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Alzheimer Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Physical training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Subjects with official diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease; Subjects with MMSE higher than12. Exclusion Criteria: • Subjects with MMSE below 12 (indicating severe dementia and impairment).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 80 Years
Maximum Age: 90 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: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Non-pharmacological interventional study
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Active group (under physical training)<br>Subjects belonging to this arm underwent physical training for three months, twice per week (60 minutes per session). | Other: Physical training<br>* Physical training for three months, twice per week (60 minutes per session).<br>|
| No Intervention: Passive group (no physical training)<br>Subjects served as controls. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tinetti test | The 3-likert test assesses balance and gait abilities with an individual sitting in an armless chair, rising up, staying standing, turning 360° and then sitting back down. Gait is scored over 12 and balance is scored over 16, totalling 28 points. | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Berg Balance Scale | The 14-item 5-likert (from 0 to 4) scale objectively determines a patient's balance ability during a series of predetermined tasks. Scores of each item are summed up: the total score ranges from 0 to 56. The lowest the score the lowest is the level of function, the highest the score the highest is the level of function. | Approximately 20 minutes | 
| 6-minute walking test | This test is a sub-maximal exercise used to evaluate aerobic capacity and endurance. | 6 minutes | 
| Timed up and go test | The test measures abilities of a patient initially in a seated position The patient is then asked to stand up up, walk 3 meters, turn around, walk back to the chair and sit down. | Approximately 14 seconds | 
| Walking While Talking test | This test is a dual-task test, consisting in walking while reciting the alphabet or alternate letters of the alphabet. | Approximately 1 minute | 
| Red blood cell count | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| White blood cell count | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Hemoglobin | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Platelet count | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Hematocrit | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Triglycerides | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Cholesterol | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Total bilirubin | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| AST (aspartate aminotransferase) | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| ALT (alanine aminotransferase) | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Blood pressure | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Creatinine | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Urea | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Glucose | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Sodium | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Calcium | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes | 
| Potassium | Assessed with routine blood/biochemical assays | Approximately 10-15 minutes |