Ask Dr. Nick
On today’s episode, Dr. Nick talks about how combined physical and cognitive training can improve symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is increasing in prevalence, and there is no medical cure.
There are many non-pharmacological approaches to treating Alzheimer’s that show promise including nutrition and treating infections or environmental toxins. The article in the video is a randomized controlled trial that combines physical rehabilitation and training with cognitive activities to improve subjective and objective measures in Alzheimer’s patients.
The physical training consisted of strength training, resistance exercises, and balance exercises (with eyes open and closed). The cognitive training was completing math equations, remembering words and objects in short-term memory, and completing tasks in a specific order.
By utilizing bottom-up training from muscles and joints with top-down cognitive training, the researchers were able to improve memory, execution, and attention scores along with decreasing depression. Check out the video for more in depth information on physical rehabilitation for Alzheimer’s disease!
Parvin E, Mohammadian F, Amani-Shalamzari S, Bayati M, Tazesh B. Dual-Task Training Affect Cognitive and Physical Performances and Brain Oscillation Ratio of Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Aging Neurosci. 2020 Dec 22;12:605317.
