McCartney, Aileen, Crosswell, J, Rafnsson, Snorri ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7985-912X and Hoe, Juanita ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4647-8950 (2024) The effectiveness of structured physical activity on agitation in people with dementia: a rapid review. Aging & Mental Health, 28 (8).

PDF McCartney et al., 2024_Aging & Mental Health_accepted manuscript.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 29 April 2025. Download (472kB)

Abstract

Objectives Managing agitation and other behaviours that challenge is a significant dementia care challenge. The priority is to find effective non-pharmacological interventions as drug treatments can have significant side effects. This review evaluates the effectiveness of structured physical activity on agitation in dementia.

Methods Our rapid review searched four electronic databases, Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Embase, for interventional studies using a structured physical activity programme in people with dementia and studied the effect of this activity on behaviours that challenge. Study quality was assessed using CASP criteria and data was narratively synthesised.

Results We included 13 studies in this review (four rated as high quality), involving a total of 1546 participants. Results were analysed according to exercise type, frequency and intensity of the intervention. Exercise is effective in reducing agitation and studies with higher adherence to exercise demonstrated more positive effects on agitation and behaviours that challenge.

Conclusions Physical activity can be effective in reducing agitation in older adults with dementia. Further research is needed to clarify the type of intervention that is most beneficial. Strategies to make physical activity more acceptable and available to people with dementia need to be established.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1080/13607863.2024.2345129
Subjects:	Medicine and health > Clinical medicine > Dementia
Depositing User:	Juanita Hoe
Date Deposited:	06 Aug 2024 13:00
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2024 11:00
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/12246

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