title: Exploring the effect of aquatic exercise on behaviour and psychological well-being in people with moderate to severe dementia: a pilot study of the Watermemories Swimming Club.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effects of a dementia-specific, aquatic exercise intervention on behavioural and psychological symptoms in people with dementia (BPSD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Residents from two aged care facilities in Queensland, Australia, received a 12-week intervention consisting of aquatic exercises for strength, agility, flexibility, balance and relaxation. The Psychological Well-Being in Cognitively Impaired Persons Scale (PW-BCIP) and the Revised Memory and Behaviour Problems Checklist (RMBPC) were completed by registered nurses at baseline, week 6, week 9 and post intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten women and one man (median age = 88.4 years, interquartile range = 12.3) participated. Statistically significant declines in the RMBPC and PW-BCIP were observed over the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary evidence suggests that a dementia-specific, aquatic exercise intervention reduces BPSD and improves psychological well-being in people with moderate to severe dementia. With further testing, this innovative intervention may prove effective in addressing some of the most challenging aspects of dementia care.
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Queensland, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Neville
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Henwood
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Beattie
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: Fielding
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D057189:Checklist; D003071:Cognition; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008603:Mental Health; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011793:Queensland; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013551:Swimming Pools; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: behavioural and psychological symptoms; dementia; long-term care; non-pharmacological intervention