Table 5.
Summary of characteristics and results of eight included exercise interventions, reported in seven studies (for further detail see Additional file 2)
| Study | Design | Setting, intervention details | No. of participants | Dementia diagnosed | Dementia stage | Dementia type | Effects on nutrition and/or hydration status | Effects on intake of food, drink and/or nutrients | Quality effect (including. QoL or meaningful activity) and other outcomes | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chang 2011 [61] Taiwan | BA | Day care centre. Exercise (stretching, walking, weight bearing) with encouragement & rewards |
29 | Yes | NR | NR | NR | NR | → Feeding function ↑ Functional status |
4 months |
| Dechamps 2010 [62] Adapted Tai Chi France |
RCT (3 arms) | Nursing Homes & Long term care home. Adapted tai chi |
I = 51 C = 60 |
NR | NR | AD & others | NR | NR | ↑ Feeding independence → MMSE |
6 months |
| Dechamps 2010 [62] Cognition action France | RCT (3 arms) | Nursing Homes & Long term care home. Cognition action |
I = 49 C = 60 |
NR | NR | AD & others | NR | NR | ↑ Feeding independence → MMSE |
6 months |
| FICSIT trial (Fiatarone 1994) [63, 91–93] USA | RCT (4 arms) | Nursing home (long term rehabilitation centre). High-intensity exercise ± ONS vs placebo activities ± ONS |
Ex ± ONS 50 Control ± ONS 50 |
NR | NR | NR | → Weight → Thigh muscle area → Whole body potassium |
↑ E-intake → Physical activity ↑ Muscle strength & mobility |
→ Mortality | 10 weeks |
| FOPANU study [60, 94, 95] Sweden | RCT | Residential care facilities. High-intensity exercise program (+/- protein supplement) vs control activity (+/- protein supplement) |
I = 83 C = 94 |
NR | NR | NR | ↓ Weight ↓ ICW |
N/A | → Mortality → Balance ↑ Gait speed, self-paced → Gait speed, maximum ↑ Lower limb strength |
3 months |
| Heyn 2003 [64] USA | BA | Memory care residence. Multi-sensory exercise program (focused attention, flexibility & aerobic exercise, strength training, relaxation & breathing techniques) |
13 | Yes | Mostly severe | AD | → Weight | NR | ? Engagement ? Mood |
8 weeks |
| Moore 2010 [65] USA | RCT | Nursing home and assisted living facility. Seated chair exercise with music |
I = 43 C = 41 |
Yes | Various | Various | NR | ↑ Quantity of food and fluid intake | → Eating ability | 3 weeks |
| Rolland 2007 [66] France | RCT | Nursing home. Exercise program including aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance training, plus walking |
I = 67 C = 67 |
Yes | Mild-severe | AD | → Weight → MNA |
NR | ↑ Functional status | 12 months |
For abbreviations see below Table 2