Evidence summary
Mixed results on exercise’s effect on neuropsychiatric symptoms
A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 RCTs investigated the effect of home-based physical activity on several markers of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). These symptoms were measured using the caregiver-completed neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI), which includes agitation. There was substantial heterogeneity between trials; however, 4 RCTs (472 patients) were included in a meta-analysis of the NPI. These RCTs were nonblinded, given the nature of the intervention.1
Interventions to enhance physical activity ranged from 12 weeks to 2 years in duration, with 2 to 8 contacts from the study team per week. The type of physical activity varied and included cardiorespiratory endurance, balance training, resistance training, and activities of daily living training.1
Exercise was associated with significantly fewer symptoms on the NPI, although the effect size was small (standard mean difference [SMD] = –0.37; 95% CI, –0.57 to –0.17). Heterogeneity in the interventions and assessments were limitations to this meta-analysis.1
A 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 RCTs compared the effect of exercise interventions against a control group for the treatment of BPSD, utilizing 10 behavioral and 2 neurovegetative components of the NPI (each scored from 0 to 5) in patients with dementia. Studies were included if they used ≥ 1 exercise intervention compared to a control or usual care group without additional exercise recommendations. Thirteen studies had a multicomponent training intervention (≥ 2 exercise types grouped together in the same training session), 2 used tai chi, 4 used walking, and 1 used dance and movement therapy. These RCTs were conducted in a variety of settings, including community-dwelling and long-term care facilities (n = 6427 patients).2
Exercise did not reduce global BPSD (N = 4441 patients), with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of −3.9 (95% CI, −9.0 to 1.2; P = .13). Exploratory analysis did not show improvement in aberrant motor behavior with exercise (WMD = –0.55; 95% CI, –1.10 to 0.001; P = .05). Limitations of this review included the small number of studies, heterogeneity of the population, and limitations in data accessibility.2
A 2017 hospital-based RCT evaluated the effects of a short-term exercise program on neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms in patients with dementia in 3 specialized dementia care wards (N = 85). Patients had a diagnosis of dementia, minimum length of stay of 1 week, no delirium, and the ability to perform the Timed Up and Go Test. The intervention group included a 2-week exercise program of four 20-minute exercise sessions per day on 3 days per week, involving strengthening or endurance exercises, in addition to treatment as usual. The control group included a 2-week period of social-stimulation programs consisting of table games for 120 minutes per week, in addition to treatment as usual.3
Of 85 patients randomized, 15 (18%) were lost to follow-up (14 of whom were discharged early from the hospital). Among the 70 patients included in the final analysis, the mean age was 80 years; 47% were female and 53% male; and the mean Mini-Mental Status Examination score was 18.3 (≤ 23 indicates dementia). In both groups, most patients had moderate dementia, moderate neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms, and a low level of psychotic symptoms. Patients in the intervention group had a higher adherence rate compared with those in the control group.3
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