title: [Concentration enhancement for retaining daily living competence in dementia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dementia is characterized by reduced memory and concentration abilities leading to a decrease in activities of daily living. Various studies have shown that various forms of physical exercise have a positive therapeutic effect at an early stage of dementia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study the effects of an exercise-based Brain-Gym concept on the concentration and routine daily competences were evaluated in dementia patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 4-month intervention period specially trained nursing staff and healthcare students put this exercise program into practice. Using an intervention and control group design, the concentration abilities of the dementia patients were tested on a monthly base. Additionally, the routine daily competence of the patients was evaluated by the nursing staff.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Even though no significant differences could be detected, the intervention group achieved higher scores in concentration abilities than the control group on all four testing dates. Furthermore, the routine daily competence was improved in the intervention group throughout the intervention period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This concept can be used for dementia patients. Due to the low requirements concerning coordination and condition Brain-Gym is suitable for the target group and can easily be implemented by caregivers; however, significant evidence of positive impacts on concentration and everyday life competence could not yet be found in this study.
authors.affiliation: Medizinpädagogik, SRH Fachhochschule Gera, Neue Straße 28-30, 07548, Gera, Deutschland. ulrike.morgenstern@srh-gesundheitshochschule.de.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Morgenstern
authors.affiliation: Medizinpädagogik, SRH Fachhochschule Gera, Neue Straße 28-30, 07548, Gera, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ketelhut
authors.affiliation: Interdisziplinäre Frühförderung & Qualitätsmanagementbeauftragte, SRH Fachhochschule Gera, Neue Straße 28-30, Gera, 07548, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rösler
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Activation; Ambulatory care; Brain-Gym concept; Central nervous system; Movement