title: Physical and cognitive stimulation in Alzheimer Disease. the GAIA Project: a pilot study.
abstract: Several data suggest that physical activity and cognitive stimulation have a positive effect on the quality of life (QoL) of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD), slowing the decline due to the disease. A pilot project was undertaken to assess the effect of cognitive stimulation, physical activity, and socialization on patients with AD and their informal caregiver's QoL and mood. Fourteen patients with AD were randomly divided into active treatment group and control group. At the end of treatment, a significant improvement in apathy, anxiety, depression, and QoL in the active treatment group was found. Considering caregivers, those of the active treatment group exhibited a significant improvement in their mood and in their perception of patients' QoL. This study provides evidence that a combined approach based on cognitive stimulation, physical activity, and socialization is a feasible tool to improve mood and QoL in patients with AD and their caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento "G.F. Ingrassia" area Neuroscienze, Università di Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maci
authors.forename: Francesco Le
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Pira
authors.forename: Graziella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Quattrocchi
authors.forename: Santo Di
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Nuovo
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Perciavalle
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zappia
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017028:Caregivers; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life