The Effects of Exercise Programs on Gait Ability of Elderly Dementia Patients

치매노인을 위한 운동프로그램이 보행능력에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the practice exercising and cycling on the gait abilities of dementia elderly patients. Forty forty elderly patients with dementia were participants. Participants were divided into three groups as A, B, and C, Group A was a standard group which had been treated with electric treatment, hot pack, and exercise. The second group B had been treated with cycling added to the treatments of group A. Finally, treatments of group C were arranged by subtraction of exercise from those of group A. The test was a 'timed up and go test' used for measuring the rates of the gait ability through four months. The gait ability of each group was measured after each month. The results of this study are as following: 1. After first month, the averages of changes in gait ability of group C, A and B were -1.69, -1.67, and -1.13 seconds respectively. That means that dementia control was achieved significantly in group A and B (p<0.05)whereas it was not in group C. 2. The averages after two months were -4.00 seconds for group C, -2.60 seconds for group A, and -1.56 seconds for B, respectively. All groups acquired significant effects in treating dementia (p<0.05). 3. After three months, -6.38, -3.00 and -2.31 seconds were average values of group C, A and B respectively. Same as results after two months, there were significant effects in all groups (p<0.05). 4. After four months, the averages of changes in gait ability of three groups were -8.00. -3.93 and -3.00 seconds for group C, A and B respectively. In the all patients treated analysis, treatments showed significant results (p<0.05). 5. Compared with each other through four months. three groups testing the timed up and go test showed more efficient in maintaining gait ability, in order of group B. A, and C