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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2008 Apr-May;23(2):132–142. doi: 10.1177/1533317507312556

A Lifestyle Physical Activity Intervention for Caregivers of Persons With Alzheimer's Disease

Carol J Farran 1, Beth A Staffileno 2, David W Gilley 3, Judith J McCann 4, Yan Li 5, Cynthia M Castro 6, Abby C King 7
PMCID: PMC2758783  NIHMSID: NIHMS91251  PMID: 18174315

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of lifestyle physical activity in caregivers (CGs) of persons with Alzheimer's disease. Methods: Fifteen CGs engaged in lifestyle physical activity during a 6-month, home-based health promotion program. Mean changes in self-reported physical activity were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: Fifty percent of CGs increased total self-reported minutes and 42% increased total moderate minutes of physical activity from preintervention to postintervention; however, no CG engaged in vigorous physical activity and there were no significant improvements in self-reported physical activity for the total group. Hot summer weather, heavy noncaregiving responsibilities, heavy caregiving responsibilities, and feelings of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and fatigue were the most frequently identified physical activity barriers. Conclusion: Incorporating an individualized, home-based program of lifestyle physical activity appears feasible; however, attention needs to be given in the future to physical activity barriers identified by this select group of CGs.

Keywords: caregiver, physical activity, tailored intervention

Full Text

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Contributor Information

Carol J. Farran, College of Nursing, Rush University Medical Center, Carol_J_Farran@rush.edu .

Beth A. Staffileno, College of Nursing, Rush University Medical Center.

David W. Gilley, Rush Institute for Healthy Aging Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.

Judith J. McCann, College of Nursing, Rush University Medical Center, Rush Institute for Healthy Aging Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.

Yan Li, University of California, San Diego, California.

Cynthia M. Castro, Stanford University, Stanford, California.

Abby C. King, Stanford University, Stanford, California.

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