Affiliations: [a] CNS, Campus Neurológico, Torres Vedras, Portugal
| [b] Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Lisbon, Portugal
| [c]
Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| [d]
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Correspondence:
[*]
Correspondence to: Joaquim J Ferreira, MD, PhD, Laboratório de Farmacologia Clínica e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal. Tel.: +351 21 7802120; E-mail: joaquimjferreira@gmail.com.
Abstract: Background:Physiotherapy has become increasingly relevant as a new therapeutic intervention for dementia. However, it is unclear which interventions are the most suitable. Objective:This study sought to summarize and critically appraise the evidence on physiotherapy interventions in dementia. Methods:A systematic review conducted using CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and PEDro databases, from their inception to July 2022, identified all experimental studies of dementia that included physiotherapy interventions. Results:Of 194 articles included, the most frequently used interventions were aerobic training (n = 82, 42%), strength training (n = 79, 41%), balance training (n = 48, 25%), and stretching (n = 22, 11%). These were associated with a positive effect on several motor and cognitive outcomes. A total number of 1,119 adverse events were reported. Conclusion:Physiotherapy has several motor and cognitive benefits in dementia. Future research should focus on establishing a physiotherapy prescription protocol for people with mild cognitive impairment and for each stage of dementia.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, clinical exercise, dementia, motor function, physiotherapy
