Introduction This thesis aims to describe the role of physical activity in supporting people with Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, it presents the results of a quantitative and qualitative survey on the motor and cognitive abilities and level of enjoyment of activities performed by people with Alzheimer's disease belonging to the "ASD Over Limits" and the Italian Alzheimer's Disease Association (AIMA). Materials and Methods The study involved 7 subjects of both sexes (79.6±6.6 years; BMI 27.1±4.6; schooling in years 7.29±3.9) with Alzheimer's disease. It was conducted in 5 meetings of about 1 hour, each one week apart. In the first meeting, subjects' weight and height were measured and the Five Times Sit To Stand Test (5TST) was administered. In the second meeting, Timed Up and Go Test "Single Task" (TUG-ST) was conducted. In the third meeting, subjects were asked to perform Timed Up and Go "Dual Task" (TUG-DT). While, in the fourth meeting, specially designed qualitative questionnaires were administered to record participants' enjoyment of the activities and opinions. Finally, in the fifth and final meeting, subjects took the 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT). Results Participants, as a result of activities at the association, were on average active (1306±936 met-min/week). However, they had limited physical abilities, probably as a consequence of advanced age and disease: 15.5±2.7 sec (5TST), 12.4±4.8 sec TUG-ST, 16.8±6.3 sec TUG-DT, 133±39.9 m 2MWT. Significant correlations were found between years of schooling and the results of TUG-ST (-0.79, p = 0.03) and TUG-DT (-0.79, p =0.03) and between BMI and Delta between the two TUG tests (0.89, p = 0.01). Finally, the qualitative questionnaires emphasized a high degree of satisfaction in the activities performed and full awareness of the benefits of exercise at the physical, cognitive and social levels. Conclusion Despite the small sample size, it is possible to state that physical activity performed by participants with AD is beneficial by limiting motor decline and perceived positively at the subjective level. The latter being a key element in quality of life in people with this disease. Finally, correlations highlight a possible relationship between degree of schooling, body mass and motor-cognitive abilities, highlighting the need to consider these elements in preventive strategies.
Introduzione Questo elaborato ha come obiettivo descrivere il ruolo dell’attività fisica nel supporto delle persone affette da malattia di Alzheimer. Nello specifico, presenta i risultati di un’indagine quantitativa e qualitativa sulle capacità motorie, cognitive e sul livello di gradimento delle attività svolte da persone affette da malattia di Alzheimer appartenenti all’“ASD Over Limits” e all’Associazione Italiana Malattia di Alzheimer (AIMA). Materiali e metodi Lo studio ha coinvolto 7 soggetti di entrambi i sessi (79.6±6.6 anni; BMI 27.1±4.6; scolarità in anni 7.29±3.9) affetti da malattia di Alzheimer. Si è svolto in 5 incontri da circa 1 ora, ognuno a distanza di una settimana. Nel primo incontro, sono stati misurati peso e altezza dei soggetti ed è stato somministrato il Five Times Sit To Stand Test (5TST). Nel secondo incontro, è stato svolto Timed Up and Go Test “Single Task” (TUG-ST). Nel terzo incontro, ai soggetti è stato chiesto di svolgere il Timed Up and Go “Dual Task” (TUG-DT). Mentre, nel quarto incontro, sono stati somministrati dei questionari qualitativi appositamente ideati per registrare il gradimento alle attività e le opinioni dei partecipanti. Infine, nel quinto e ultimo incontro i soggetti hanno svolto il 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT). Ogni test fisico è stato svolto prima dell’inizio delle attività motorie previste. I risultati sono stati riportati sottoforma di media ± deviazione standard o mediana ed è stata eseguita un’analisi di correlazione con coefficiente R di Spearman tra le variabili quantitative in studio, mentre le risposte al questionario qualitativo sono state riportate integralmente. Risultati I partecipanti, grazie alle attività svolte presso l’associazione, sono risultati mediamente attivi (1306±936 met-min/week). Tuttavia, presentavano limitate capacità fisiche, probabilmente a conseguenza dell’età avanzata e della malattia: 15.5±2.7 sec. (5TST), 12.4±4.8 sec. TUG-ST, 16.8±6.3 sec. TUG-DT, 133±39.9 m 2MWT. Delle correlazioni significative sono state rilevate tra gli anni di scolarità e i risultati di TUG-ST (-0.79, p = 0.03) e TUG-DT (-0.79, p =0.03) e tra il BMI e il Delta tra i due test TUG (0.89, p = 0.01). I questionari qualitativi, infine, hanno sottolineato un elevato grado di soddisfazione nelle attività svolte e la piena consapevolezza dei benefici dell’esercizio a livello fisico, cognitivo e sociale. Conclusione Nonostante la ridotta dimensione campionaria, è possibile affermare che l’attività fisica svolta dai partecipanti con AD risulta benefica limitando il decadimento motorio e percepita positivamente a livello soggettivo. Quest’ultimo elemento fondamentale per la qualità di vita nelle persone affette da questa malattia. Infine, le correlazioni sottolineano una possibile relazione tra grado di scolarità, massa corporea e le capacità motorio-cognitive, evidenziando la necessità di considerare questi elementi nelle strategie preventive.
ATTIVITÀ FISICA E MALATTIA DI ALZHEIMER: INDAGINE QUANTITATIVA E QUALITATIVA SU CAPACITÀ MOTORIE E COGNITIVE IN SOGGETTI PRATICANTI
PAPPALARDO, MATTEO
2022/2023
Abstract
Introduction This thesis aims to describe the role of physical activity in supporting people with Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, it presents the results of a quantitative and qualitative survey on the motor and cognitive abilities and level of enjoyment of activities performed by people with Alzheimer's disease belonging to the "ASD Over Limits" and the Italian Alzheimer's Disease Association (AIMA). Materials and Methods The study involved 7 subjects of both sexes (79.6±6.6 years; BMI 27.1±4.6; schooling in years 7.29±3.9) with Alzheimer's disease. It was conducted in 5 meetings of about 1 hour, each one week apart. In the first meeting, subjects' weight and height were measured and the Five Times Sit To Stand Test (5TST) was administered. In the second meeting, Timed Up and Go Test "Single Task" (TUG-ST) was conducted. In the third meeting, subjects were asked to perform Timed Up and Go "Dual Task" (TUG-DT). While, in the fourth meeting, specially designed qualitative questionnaires were administered to record participants' enjoyment of the activities and opinions. Finally, in the fifth and final meeting, subjects took the 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT). Results Participants, as a result of activities at the association, were on average active (1306±936 met-min/week). However, they had limited physical abilities, probably as a consequence of advanced age and disease: 15.5±2.7 sec (5TST), 12.4±4.8 sec TUG-ST, 16.8±6.3 sec TUG-DT, 133±39.9 m 2MWT. Significant correlations were found between years of schooling and the results of TUG-ST (-0.79, p = 0.03) and TUG-DT (-0.79, p =0.03) and between BMI and Delta between the two TUG tests (0.89, p = 0.01). Finally, the qualitative questionnaires emphasized a high degree of satisfaction in the activities performed and full awareness of the benefits of exercise at the physical, cognitive and social levels. Conclusion Despite the small sample size, it is possible to state that physical activity performed by participants with AD is beneficial by limiting motor decline and perceived positively at the subjective level. The latter being a key element in quality of life in people with this disease. Finally, correlations highlight a possible relationship between degree of schooling, body mass and motor-cognitive abilities, highlighting the need to consider these elements in preventive strategies.È consentito all'utente scaricare e condividere i documenti disponibili a testo pieno in UNITESI UNIPV nel rispetto della licenza Creative Commons del tipo CC BY NC ND.
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14239/16581