The Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercises on the Cognitive and Physical Function of Persons with Mild Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

Abstract

Dementia causes deterioration in cognitive and physical functions. The scope of this study is to investigate the effect of different exercise programs on cognitive functions and functionality of persons suffering from mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by generating information on the exercise types and their parameters. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be performed involving aerobic and resistance exercise interventions, taking place both at the sample collection center and at home. Participants will be randomly divided into two different intervention groups and a control group. All groups will be assessed twice; once at baseline and once after 12 weeks. The primary outcome shall comprise the effect of exercise programs on cognitive functions using cognitive testing, such as Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination—Revisited (ACE-R), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail Making Test A-Β (TMT A-B), and Digit Span Test (DST): Digit Span Forward (DSF) and Digit Span Backward (DSB). The effect on functionality will be assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include the effect of exercise on depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15), on physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), as well as the participants’ compliance with the intervention. This study will investigate the possible effect of intervention of different exercise types and the comparison between them. Exercise forms a low-cost and reduced-risk intervention.