Abstract
One of the most common causes of needing care in old age is dementia. In order to enjoy a pleasant retirement for people with dementia, it is essential for them to maintain their independence. Studies have shown that a combination of physical activity and music has positive effects on dementia patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of implementing a multidimensional music-based exercise program for dementia patients and the effects on an intervention group (IG) compared to a control group (CG, usual care). The study design was based on a 12-week intervention with two (IG/CG) by two (pretest/posttest) parallel groups and block randomization with unequal group sizes. Participants had to be able to move independently or with a walker and not have severe cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrhythmias. Fifty-three blinded dementia patients (age: 83.63 ± 6.03 years) from inpatient facilities participated in the study and were assigned from the exercise instructors to IG ( n = 34) and CG ( n = 19). The primary outcomes were feasibility (Observation sheet), modified Chair Rising test, Timed Up and Go test, hand dynamometer test, FICSIT‑4 (Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques), and drop bar test. Secondary endpoints included: verbal fluency (“animals”), the Mini-Mental State Examination, memory, Trail Making Test A, and Qualidem. Forty-nine subjects were analyzed (IG = 32; CG = 17). There were significant differences between the groups in the modified Chair Rising test ( p = 0.033), FICSIT‑4 ( p = 0.035), and Timed Up and Go test ( p = 0.005) at posttest, which showed improved performance of the IG compared to the CG. The IG additionally showed improvements in the modified Chair Rising test ( p = 0.000), drop bar test ( p = 0.033), hand dynamometer test ( p = 0.001), Timed Up and Go test ( p = 0.000), verbal fluency ( p = 0.002) and Trail Making Test A ( p = 0.04) after 12 weeks. There were no adverse events or side effects. The multidimensional music-based exercise program could be performed by the dementia patients and was well received. The improved functional mobility could contribute to a lower risk of falls and thus maintain independence. For the follow-up study, the number of subjects, randomization, and parameters should be considered.