Senile dementia is often referred to as Alzheimer's disease -- but Alzheimer's is only one form of dementia. Vascular problems such as stroke also cause mental deterioration. Alzheimer's strikes two out of every 10 adults over the age of 80. But research indicates that regular exercise can improve impairment in patients whose dementia stems from other causes, according to PubMed.
Dong-Eui University Study
Researchers at Dong-Eui University in Busan reported in the "International Journal of Sports Medicine" in 2008 that an exercise program improved cognitive skills by 20 percent in dementia patients after six months. After a year, improvement rose to 30 percent. The research subjects were all approximately 80 years old, female and diagnosed with dementia. The exercise program involved 30 to 60 minutes a day, two to three days per week. There were no changes reported in a control group of women who did not exercise.
Effects on the Brain
Amyloid plaques, or fragments of protein, cause Alzheimer's when they accumulate among brain cells. As the disease progresses, they become larger and tangle together. Stroke and vascular difficulties reduce blood flow to the brain, killing brain cells. Exercise appears to help in both cases. The Mayo Clinic reports that early research indicates that regular exercise may produce an enzyme in the brain that prevents plaque buildup. Aerobic-type exercise also prompts increased blood flow to the brain. Exercise also reduces the impact of stress hormones on the brain.
Exceptions
Exercise can help prevent Alzheimer's disease, but it cannot reverse or cure Alzheimer's once the disease has begun to progress. It can, however, reduce stress and improve quality of living for stricken patients. It can also contribute to a routine that many Alzheimer's patients find comforting. Improvement seems most notable after more than six months of exercise and those suffering from generalized mental decline. Women seem to benefit from aerobic exercise more than men.
Recommendations
Patients with advanced dementia might do better with repetitive exercises that involve the same motions performed over and over. This eliminates any need for planning or decision-making. If you or a loved one are thinking about starting an exercise program, be sure to warm up and cool down gradually from each session. Start out with short sessions and gradually increase them as your level of fitness allows. Make sure someone is with you at all times to prevent falling or other injury, especially if balance is an issue for you.
References
- PubMed: International Journal of Sports Medicine; "Effect of Regular Exercise on Senile Dementia Patients"; YS Kwak, et al.; June 2008
- Reuters; Regular Exercise Good for Dementia Patients: Study; Joene Henry; Jul. 8, 2008
- Health-cares.net: What's the Exercise Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease?
- MayoClinic.com: Preventing Alzheimer's: Exercise Still Best Bet
- OregonLive.com; "Alzheimer's Research: Aerobic Exercise Can Protect Brain, Improve Mental Agility"; Joe Rojas-Burke; Jan. 11, 2010
- Health-cares.net: What is Senile Dementia?
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