Table 5 Summary of characteristics and results of eight included exercise interventions, reported in seven studies (for further detail see Additional file 2)
Study | Design | Setting, intervention details | No. of participants | Dementia diagnosed | Dementia stage | Dementia type | Effects on nutrition and/or hydration status | Effects on intake of food, drink and/or nutrients | Quality effect (including. QoL or meaningful activity) and other outcomes | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chang 2011 [61] Taiwan | BA | Day care centre. Exercise (stretching, walking, weight bearing) with encouragement & rewards | 29 | Yes | NR | NR | NR | NR | → Feeding function ↑ Functional status | 4 months |
Dechamps 2010 [62] Adapted Tai Chi France | RCT (3 arms) | Nursing Homes & Long term care home. Adapted tai chi | I = 51 C = 60 | NR | NR | AD & others | NR | NR | ↑ Feeding independence → MMSE | 6 months |
Dechamps 2010 [62] Cognition action France | RCT (3 arms) | Nursing Homes & Long term care home. Cognition action | I = 49 C = 60 | NR | NR | AD & others | NR | NR | ↑ Feeding independence → MMSE | 6 months |
RCT (4 arms) | Nursing home (long term rehabilitation centre). High-intensity exercise ± ONS vs placebo activities ± ONS | Ex ± ONS 50 Control ± ONS 50 | NR | NR | NR | → Weight → Thigh muscle area → Whole body potassium | ↑ E-intake → Physical activity ↑ Muscle strength & mobility | → Mortality | 10 weeks | |
RCT | Residential care facilities. High-intensity exercise program (+/- protein supplement) vs control activity (+/- protein supplement) | I = 83 C = 94 | NR | NR | NR | ↓ Weight ↓ ICW | N/A | → Mortality → Balance ↑ Gait speed, self-paced → Gait speed, maximum ↑ Lower limb strength | 3 months | |
Heyn 2003 [64] USA | BA | Memory care residence. Multi-sensory exercise program (focused attention, flexibility & aerobic exercise, strength training, relaxation & breathing techniques) | 13 | Yes | Mostly severe | AD | → Weight | NR | ? Engagement ? Mood | 8 weeks |
Moore 2010 [65] USA | RCT | Nursing home and assisted living facility. Seated chair exercise with music | I = 43 C = 41 | Yes | Various | Various | NR | ↑ Quantity of food and fluid intake | → Eating ability | 3 weeks |
Rolland 2007 [66] France | RCT | Nursing home. Exercise program including aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance training, plus walking | I = 67 C = 67 | Yes | Mild-severe | AD | → Weight → MNA | NR | ↑ Functional status | 12 months |