The Effect of a “Selected Exercise Training” on Reducing Symptoms of Dementia Caused by Alzheimer\'s Disease in People with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a selected exercise training on reducing symptoms of dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome. Methods: 27 men with Down syndrome were randomized to intervention (n=13) and control (n=13) groups. All persons in experimental group followed 12 weeks selected exercise training, three times a week. Prior to the start of the study, and after three-month training, each member in both groups was assessed according to the DSQIID questionnaire filled by caregivers of these peoples. Data were analysed by independent t-test. Results: The results indicated that the first questionnaire subscales that assess memory disorders and confusion in the experimental group between pre and post test showed a significant decrease (P=0.028). Also in third part of questionnaire that asked about the individual skills, social withdrawal, physical symptoms and speech abnormalities, the variable scores in post-test of experimental group were significantly lower than pre-test scores (P=0.047). Discussion: These result showed that the combination of selected exercises training could cause a significant reduction in the incidence of initial dementia symptoms and can be an important step to prevent of the dementia in these people.

Keywords

• Selected exercise training
• Dementia
• Down syndrome