Therapeutic capacity of physical exercise on the quality of life of elderly individuals with dementia: a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51723/hrj.v6i32.1162Keywords:
Dementia, Alzheimer Disease, Elderly, Exercise, Quality of LifeAbstract
Objective: to evaluate the therapeutic capacity of physical exercises on the quality of life of elderly individuals with dementia, understanding possible benefits at the motor, cognitive, and sensory levels. Method: a systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA protocol, using databases such as PubMed, SciELO, BVS/LILACS, and Cochrane Library. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published between January 2013 and July 2023 that investigated the efficacy of physical exercise in elderly people with dementia were included. The inclusion criteria considered publications in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. The selection and assessment of methodological quality followed the PEDro scale and were performed by two independent reviewers. Data were qualitatively analyzed to compare divergences among studies. Results: out of 3,461 articles initially selected, 51 remained after screening titles and abstracts, and 12 after full-text reading. Seven RCTs demonstrated clinically and statistically significant benefits, 2 articles reported minimal benefits, and 3 studies found no significant effects. It was observed that aerobic and resistance exercises of moderate intensity increase BDNF and IGF-1 levels in the hippocampus and reduce inflammatory cytokines, potentially improving cognitive domains, quality of life, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden. Conclusion: it is concluded that physical exercise practice may provide benefits for elderly individuals with dementia. However, additional RCTs are necessary to explore other exercise modalities, intervention times, and intensities.
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