Language-enriched exercise plus socialization slows cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.
This article reports the effects of language-enriched physical fitness interventions provided by University of Arizona undergraduate students to 24 mild- to moderate-stage Alzheimer's disease patients (AD Rehab group). Socialization experiences consisted of supervised volunteer work and cultural/recreational activities. Changes in global functioning and neuropsychological test performance were tracked and compared to those of a similar group of untreated patients from the Consortium for the Establishment of a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD). Cohorts completing 4 semesters or longer showed no significant between-year changes after their first year on the Clinical Dementia Rating, a measure of global functioning, and on 5 or 6 of the cognitive and language measures. Comparisons with the CERAD sample suggested a slower rate of decline for the AD Rehab group. The stabilization of global and cognitive performance was not apparent among participants who completed only 2 semesters. Significant physical fitness and mood outcomes were previously reported in this journal.
Arkin
Sharon
S
Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences), University of Arizona, Tucson, USA. arkinaz@earthlink.net
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003469:Culture; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007808:Language Therapy; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011998:Recreation; D012951:Socialization; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology