Physical Fitness and Cognitive Function in Persons with Dementia and their Caregiver

Abstract

A cross-sectional design investigated the physical attributes of 15 dyads of people with dementia and their caregivers. Physical and cognitive markers determined deviations from clinical thresholds for loss of functional independence, where 100% of participants performed below criterion-referenced threshold values for aerobic endurance. Walking distance for people with dementia was associated with bath/shower activity (p = .007), transfers (p < .001), and mobility (p = .013). Less distance walked was associated with more assistance with self-care tasks. Physical deficits associated with low aerobic endurance and lower body strength compromised independence, placing dyads at risk for falls and mobility-related health issues.

Keywords:

• Cognition
• caregiver
• fitness
• dementia
• Senior Fitness Test

Acknowledgments

We extend our appreciation to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter for their assistance with participant recruitment and to the student assistants who contributed to data collection.

Declaration of interest

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and publication of this article.

Additional information

Funding

No financial support was provided to conduct this study.

Notes on contributors

Fredrick D. Pociask

Fredrick D. Pociask is an Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at Wayne State University. His research focuses on the reduction of cognitive load in the design of complex instruction; the design of web-based blended learning in healthcare sciences curriculum and the study of balance, postural control, ADL function, physical fitness and measures of cognitive function for both caregivers of people with dementia and healthy individuals.

Diane E. Adamo

Diane E. Adamo is Chair of the Department of Health Sciences at Wayne State University. Her research focuses on the relationship between physical and cognitive markers in healthy and frail populations including people with dementia and stroke. Her interest in studying the progressive nature of AD as a function of changes in physical function extends from the individual who has cognitive loss to the people who care for them.

Rosanne DiZazzo-Miller

Rosanne DiZazzo-Miller is an Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy Program at Wayne State University. Her research focuses on (1) training and quality of life for caregivers of people with dementia, 2) needs assessment and analysis for community-dwelling individuals living with chronic conditions, and (3) the scholarship of teaching and learning, interprofessional teaching and learning, and instructional design, delivery, and technology.