A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 4 studies with a total of 280 subjects. Participants were residents of a Medicare nursing facility, geriatric psychiatry facility, and nursing homes. Three of the trials administered the physical activity program three times a week for 20 to 30 minutes, one offered a one hour session, twice a week. The period of time the program was offered varied from two weeks to 12 months.
Only two studies could be included in the analyses. This analysis compared changes in function between the experimental and control groups. Single trials examined changes in behavioural disturbances and depression following the physical activity programs. Cognition was not included as a measure of outcome. In addition, no included trials examined the impact on family caregivers' health and quality of life and use of health care services. No differences between the physical activity plus usual care group and usual care group were reported.
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