Edwards Nancy, Gardiner Meghan, Ritchie Dan M, Baldwin Ken, Sands Laura
School of Nursing, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2008 Oct-Dec;22(4):362-8. doi: 10.1097/WAD.0b013e31818ecbbc.
Approximately 35% of individuals with dementia exhibit depression and/or anxiety symptoms, often manifested by symptoms of negative affect. Exercise has been associated with improved affect but has not been demonstrated to improve affect in residents of secured dementia units in long-term care facilities. This pilot study determined whether moderate-intensity, chair-based exercise was associated with changes in negative affect in residents in secured units. The sample included 36 patients from 2 nursing homes who participated in a 12-week, 30-minute moderate-intensity group exercise program thrice weekly. Affect, measured by the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Apparent Affect Rating Scale, was assessed at weeks 3 and 12, before and after each exercise session. Paired t tests assessed the immediate effect of exercise (before/after a session) and the long-term effect of exercise (study initiation/12 wk) on patients' affect ratings. The mean age was 85 years (SD=5.5), with 86% female, and 97% white. At week 3, anxiety was significantly lower immediately after the exercise session when adjusted for level of participation (P=0.02) compared with immediately before the exercise session, indicating immediate changes in affect. Anxiety and depression were significantly reduced at week 12, when compared with week 3, after adjusting for level of participation (P=0.01; P=0.03), indicating long-term effects of the exercise intervention. The study revealed the feasibility of conducting a moderate-intensity exercise program and the potential for exercise as a nonpharmacologic intervention for reducing symptoms of negative affect and depression in this vulnerable population.
约35%的痴呆症患者表现出抑郁和/或焦虑症状，通常表现为消极情绪症状。运动与情绪改善有关，但尚未证明对长期护理机构中安全痴呆症单元的居民情绪有改善作用。这项试点研究确定了中等强度的椅上运动是否与安全单元居民的消极情绪变化有关。样本包括来自2所养老院的36名患者，他们参加了一项为期12周、每周三次、每次30分钟的中等强度团体运动计划。通过费城老年中心明显情绪评定量表测量的情绪，在第3周和第12周、每次运动前后进行评估。配对t检验评估运动（一次运动前后）对患者情绪评分的即时影响以及运动（研究开始/12周）的长期影响。平均年龄为85岁（标准差=5.5），86%为女性，97%为白人。在第3周，与运动前相比，调整参与水平后，运动后焦虑立即显著降低（P=0.02），表明情绪有即时变化。与第3周相比，在第12周调整参与水平后，焦虑和抑郁显著降低（P=0.01；P=0.03），表明运动干预有长期效果。该研究揭示了开展中等强度运动计划的可行性，以及运动作为一种非药物干预措施减轻这一弱势群体消极情绪和抑郁症状的潜力。
