The Feasibility of Remotely Delivered Exercise Session in Adults With Alzheimer's Disease and Their Caregivers

J Aging Phys Act. 2019 Sep 1;27(5):670–677. doi: 10.1123/japa.2018-0298.

Abstract

Adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their caregivers represent a segment of the population with low levels of moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) and limited options for increasing MPA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a group video conference approach for increasing MPA in adults with AD and their caregivers. Adults with AD and their caregivers attended 30-min group exercise sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. Exercise sessions and support sessions were delivered in their homes on a tablet computer over video conferencing software. Nine adults with AD/caregiver dyads enrolled, and seven completed the 12-week intervention. Adults with AD attended 77.3% of the group exercise sessions, and caregivers attended 79.2% of group exercise sessions. Weekly MPA increased in both adults with AD (49%) and caregivers (30%). Exercise delivered by group video conferencing is a feasible and potentially effective approach for increasing MPA in adults with AD and their caregivers.

Keywords: physical activity; remote delivery; technology.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy*
  • Caregivers*
  • Exercise / psychology
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Compliance
  • Pilot Projects
  • Quality of Life
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Telemedicine / methods*
  • Videoconferencing