Investigation of the effect of 12-week several physical activity efforts on the physical and cognitive development of dementia patients

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of 12-week regular movement training on some physical and cognitive developmental level of dementia patients.A total 23 volunteer patients have been used in the research, as 17 females and 6 males, whose mean age 72 ± 9.2 (years) who came to the Neurology Clinic of Antalya Education and Research Hospital and were diagnosed with Dementia, with the ability to understand and without any obstruction to do exercise.Subjects used in this research have been described a 12-week exercise program to be done on a regular basis and given a movement training. The exercise programs applied to the patients have been followed up weekly and the exercise program has been updated by taking into consideration state of the patients in each of the four week.In order to determine the levels of development of patients, some physical (weight, height, waist and hip) and physiological tests (blood pressure, resting heart rate), functional tests (sit-to-access chair, sit down, stand, back scratching, stand on one leg for 10 seconds), walking and balance tests, cognitive tests (Stroop test and the standardized mini-mental test) have been applied before and after the 12-week movement training. To determine the difference between the first and last measurements in these tests, t-test paired at ? = 0.05 significance level has been applied.No significant difference has been found between pre and post-tests of physical and physiological, functional suitability, Smmdt and Stroop applied to the patients (P> 0.05). However, a significant difference has been found in the total of the gait and balance test, and left single-leg balance measurements (p <0.05).As a result, while 12-week movement training applied to dementia patients has resulted to the observation positive improvement, although in small amounts, in some physical, physiological, functional and cognitive levels of patients, it has been revealed that there is no statistical difference. However, a positive improvement of the gait and balance of the patients has been observed.For this reason, it can be said that the regular exercise for the patients with dementia has significant contribution to reduce the negative effects of the illness, and especially for the improvement of gait and balance.