Comparison of Strengthening and Balance Exercises in Early-Stage Dementia

Summary

The aim of this study was to examine and compare the effects of balance exercises versus strengthening exercises on gait and cognitive parameters in older adults with early-stage dementia.

A total of 35 older adults with early-stage dementia were included in the study, and it was completed with 32 participants. The participants were divided into two groups and followed for 8 weeks. Group I received strengthening exercises, while Group II received balance exercises. After recording the demographic and clinical characteristics of all participants, gait was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), spatiotemporal gait parameters, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test; cognitive parameters were assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Dynamic Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment - Geriatric Version (DLOTCA-G); muscle strength was measured using Activforce-2; and quality of life was evaluated using the WHOQOL-OLD (World Health Organization Quality of Life - Older Adults Module).

Conditions

• Physical Therapy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Strengthening Exercises

In the strengthening exercises, the amount of weight was determined based on 40 to 60 percent of the one-repetition maximum. Each exercise was performed in two sets of six to eight repetitions. The exercise sessions lasted approximately 40 minutes and included a 10-minute warm-up, 20 minutes of strengthening exercises, and a 10-minute cool-down period. To perform the strengthening exercises, resistance bands (Theraband), dumbbells, weighted balls, sandbags, and a resistance bicycle were used. The exercises were performed for both the upper and lower extremities. For the upper extremities, shoulder abduction, elbow extension, and shoulder extension exercises were performed using a theraband; elbow flexion, shoulder flexion, and elbow extension exercises were performed using dumbbells; and shoulder abduction exercises were performed using a weighted ball. For the lower extremities, knee extension, hip extension, and hip abduction exercises were performed using a resistance bicycle.

BEHAVIORAL

Balance Exercises

Each session was carried out over approximately 40 minutes, consisting of a 10-minute warm-up, 20 minutes of balance exercises, and a 10-minute cool-down period. The exercises were individually planned based on the participant's performance. To perform the balance exercises, supportive equipment such as balance discs and Pilates balls, as well as environments such as soft surfaces and stairs, were used. The balance exercises applied during the intervention included standing on a balance disc with weight shifting, walking on a soft surface, tandem walking, walking while stepping over obstacles, and cross-step walking. Additionally, seated balance activities, standing trunk rotations using a Pilates ball, sit-to-stand exercises from a chair, and stair climbing exercises were also performed as part of the program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Zeynep Beyza Kuşva

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Zeynep B Kuşva · Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

• Ela TARAKCI, Prof. · Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Max Age

95 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-12-30

Primary Completion

2025-03-28

Completion

2025-04-18

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations