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Effect of Functional Task Exercise Program on Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment at Risk of Alzheimer Disease - A Pilot Study
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Effect of Functional Task Exercise Program on Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment at Risk of Alzheimer Disease - A Pilot Study

Lawla L F Law, F Barnett, M K Yau and Marion Gray
Australian occupational therapy journal, Vol.60(Supplement 1), pp.122-123
Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference, 25th (Adelaide, Australia, 24-Jul-2013–26-Jul-2013)
2013
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12062View
Published Version

Abstract

Clinical Sciences Public Health and Health Services alzheimer disease cognitive impairment
Introduction: Studies have shown that combined cognitivemotor intervention is more promising than simply cognitive r motor training for improving cognitive functions. Objectives: The primary aim of this pilot study is to examine the feasibility of application and potential effects of a specially designed functional task-based exercise program, which was developed by the first author, for older persons with mild cognitive impairment. Method: A total of 22 participants (mean age 72.8 years) were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Functional Task Exercise group and active control group. All outcome measures were undertaken at baseline, post-intervention and post-3-month follow-up using Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (NCSE), Trail making test A and test B (TMT), Verbal Fluency test (VFT), Verbal Learning Test, Problems in Everyday Living test (PEDL), Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADLQ), Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL) and Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI). Results: All the participants in the intervention group completed the functional task exercise program. They showed significant improvement in NCSE composite score (P = 0.001), TMT A (P < 0.001), TMT B (P < 0.001), verbal fluency test (P < 0.01), delayed free recall (P < 0.01), 10-minute delayed free recall (P < 0.001), ADLQ sub-scores (P < 0.01-0.05), IADL (P = 0.001) and ZBI (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Results of this pilot study demonstrated that the functional task exercise program is beneficial and feasible for older persons with MCI. A larger randomized, controlled trial is currently underway to validate the effects of the functional task program on the physical, cognitive and functional status of older persons with MCI.

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