Evaluating the Impact of Physical Exercise on Agitation and Physical Performance for Individuals Living with a Dementia in Nursing Homes

Physical exercise is a physical activity that is planned, structured and repetitive and has the aim of improving physical fitness. Unlike ‘healthy’ individuals and individuals living with some chronic conditions, the evidence for physical exercise and individuals living with dementia is much more limited, in particular for those living in nursing homes. A recent systematic review showed that there is evidence that physical exercise for individuals living with dementia in nursing homes can positively affect cognition, mood, depression, agitation, unmet needs, mobility, balance and functional ability. However, evidence is limited in this field and further research is required to fully understand the effectiveness and optimum parameters of physical exercise for individuals living with dementia in nursing homes. To this end, the aims of this study were to: determine the effect of physical exercise on agitation for individuals living with dementia in nursing homes determine the effect of physical exercise on physical performance for individuals living with dementia in nursing homes consider the effects of altering the frequency and duration of a physical exercise intervention consider the feasibility of conducting a physical exercise intervention on a sustained basis in nursing homes