Six-month observational follow-up on activities of daily living in people with dementia living in nursing homes after a 6-month group based on either exercise or social activities

Background Studies have demonstrated changes in activities of daily living after an exercise intervention in people with dementia (PWD) living in nursing homes (NH). However, some discrepancies are shown during follow-up. Aims Our objective was to measure activities of daily living (ADL) performance during a 6-month observational follow-up after a 6-month exercise or social activity intervention in PWD living in NH. Methods After cluster randomisation, 91 PWD living in NH performed a 6-month structured exercise intervention ( n = 44) or a social activity intervention ( n = 47). After the intervention, 85 PWD were assessed for post-intervention follow-up. Instrumental and basic activities of daily living (IADL, ADL) were measured at 6-month observational follow-up after the intervention using the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Inventory for Severe Alzheimer’s Disease (ADCS-ADL-sev) scale (scores ranging from 0 to 51, higher is better). Results Compared to participants in the social activity, those who participated to the exercise intervention had a significant decrease of their ADCS-ADL-sev score (between-group adjusted mean difference: 4.6 points, p = 0.001) with IADL having the most decrease (2.8 points, p = 0.004). Discussion Unexpectedly, exercisers declined sharply in the performance of ADLs and IADLs, whereas participants in the social intervention group maintained their levels. The potential mechanisms to explain these findings remain still to be elucidated.