The effectiveness of physical rehabilitation in the enhancement of proprioceptive and cognitive aspects on Alzheimer disease patients.

Abstract

Based on the Alzheimer Disease (AD) prevention and slowing down, this study has shown interest in evaluating the effects of Global Postural Re-education (GPR) on the cognitiveness of individuals with AD. OBJECTIVE: It is important to verify that by modifying and improving postural attitudes, a better concentration of cognitions in older people is achieved, increases self-awareness and proprioception. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research study is based on an experimental design where participated 135 subjects with AD. It lasted 6 months, with pre-post tests executed before and after the period of treatment. RESULTS: The therapy had a significant effect on the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Quality of life in AD (QoL-AD), Barthel Index (BI), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Tinetti Scale scores (TS) compared to the ones of group factor. In the findings of post-hoc analysis it was observed: the improvement of treatment variables, MMSE scores, GDS, QoL -AD and BI (p corrected by Bonferroni <0.005 in all cases). Nonetheless, the improvement was also observed from the first month of therapy in TS scores and NPI (p corrected by Bonferroni <0.005 in all cases). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the validity of the GPR proposal on the cognitiveness of individuals with AD.