Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Physical activity offers promise for prevention of cognitive decline and reduction of symptoms in older adults with and without Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Neuropsychiatric symptoms are an understudied barrier to engagement in physical activity among older adults. We studied older adults with a range of dementia severity to evaluate the relationship between neuropsychiatric symptoms and participation in physical activity. N=437 older adults were clinically assessed as part of the KU- Alzheimer’s Disease Center Registry (n=260 normal; n=99 MCI; n=78 AD). We report findings from two cross-sectional waves of assessment, one year apart. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were used to evaluate which neuropsychiatric symptoms were associated with lower rates of physical activity as measured by the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity. We used multiple regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, education, BMI, Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score, and use of antidepressant and antianxiety medications. Interactions of neuropsychiatric symptoms by CDR rating were tested to evaluate differences by dementia severity. At wave 1, agitation (β=-.225, p = .026) and depression (β=-.199, p = .044) on the NPI were associated with lower rates of physical activity. A higher total score on the GDS was associated with lower rates of physical activity (β=-.222, p = .009). At wave 2, apathy predicted lower rates of physical activity (β=-.403, p = .043) cross-sectionally. GDS total score did not predict physical activity, but individual items did (satisfaction with life, feel wonderful, energy). No significant interactions were found for CDR by neuropsychiatric symptoms. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were associated with reduced participation in physical activity across a range of cognitive function from normal to moderately impaired. Agitation, depression, and apathy were symptoms associated with reduced activity. These results suggest that identifying and treating neuropsychiatric symptoms may serve as a way to reduce barriers to physical activity which has been shown to have numerous benefits in older adults with and without cognitive impairment.
Source: Alzheimer s & Dementia
Authors: Amber Watts, Moyra E. Mortby, Jeffrey M. Burns
Institutions: University of Kansas, Australian National University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2533358549