Table 2 A summary of the studies included in the review with regard to the interventions, outcome measures, results of interventions and quality score

Christofoletti et al. 2008 [60]

N = 54 (M = 17, F = 37)

Group I: an interdisciplinary programme; physiotherapy, occupational therapy and physical education

At baseline and sixth month

After 6 months (group × time interaction)

PEDro score: 5/10^a

Age: 74.3 ± 1.4

Group II: physiotherapy; kinesiotherapeutic exercises focusing on strength, balance and cognition

Cognitive functions: MMSE, brief cognitive screening battery

Between the interdisciplinary group and control group: verbal fluency test*, clock drawing test*, BBS*

Dx; mixed dementia

S: 60 min; FR: 3 times/week; D: 6 months

Balance: Berg balance scale, timed get up and go test

Between the physiotherapy group and control group: BBS*

MMSE: mean ± SD

Group: individual exercise; by: PT

Group I: 18.7 ± 1.7

Group III: control group (no motor intervention)

Group II: 12.7 ± 2.1

Group III: 14.6 ± 1.2

Long-term psychiatric institution

Santana-Sosa et al. 2008 [61]

N = 16 (M = 6, F = 10)

Intervention: walking, gentle stretching exercises, joint mobility exercises, resistance training and coordination/balance exercises (with music)

At baseline and after 12 weeks

Compared between groups: arm curl test*, chair stand test*, Katz ADL score*, Barthel ADL scale*

PEDro score: 6/10

Age: intervention group, 76 ± 4; control group, 73 ± 4

S: 75 min; FR: 3 times/week; D: 12 weeks (36 sessions)

The senior fitness test

Timed effect (within groups): arm curl test**, chair stand test**, back scratch test**, chair sit-and-reach**, 8-ft up-and-go test*; 2-min step test*, Tinetti scale**

Dx; Alzheimer's disease

Group: 4 participants/group; by: exercise scientist

ADLs (Katz ADL score, Barthel index)

Interaction effect (group × time): arm curl test**, chair stand test**, back scratch test**, chair sit-and-reach**, 8-ft up-and-go test**, 2-min step test*, Tinetti scale**

MMSE: mean ± SD

Gait and balance abilities (Tinetti scale)

Adherence to training: 98.9%

Intervention group: 20.1 ± 2.3

Control group: 19.9 ± 1.7

A residential nursing home

Kwak et al. 2008 [62]

N = 30 (F = 30)

Intervention

At baseline (pre), sixth and 12th month

At baseline (pre), sixth and 12th month

PEDro score: 4/10^a

Age: intervention group, 79.67 ± 6.64; control group, 82.27 ± 7.09

UE exercises: shoulderwheel, Thera-Band, overhead pulley, Swiss ball, wall bar and dumb bell

MMSE

Compared between baseline and 6th month

Dx; dementia

LE exercises: restorator, parallel bar, staircase, vibrator and Swiss ball

ADL

Intervention group: ADL**, CPF**, muscle strength pre**, muscle endurance**, flexibility* and agility**

MMSE: mean ± SD

Stretching

Exercise capacity: cardiopulmonary function, muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and agility

Control group: CPF**, agility** and MMSE*

Intervention group: 14.53 ± 5.34

S: 30–40 min; FR: not clearly reported; D: 12 months

Compared between baseline and 12th month

Control group: 13.47 ± 7.04

Group: not reported; by: not reported

Intervention group: ADL**, CPF**, muscle strength**, muscle endurance**, flexibility**, balance* and agility**

Community-dwelling

Control group: CPF**, agility** and MMSE*

Burgener et al. 2008 [63]

N = 43 (M = 20, F = 23)

Multimodal intervention

Intervention group: at baseline/20 weeks/40 weeks

Compared between two groups: at 20th week

PEDro score: 6/10

Age: mean = 77.06 ± 9.16

Taiji exercise (strength and balance training)

Control group: at baseline/20 weeks

MMSE score

Dx; irreversible dementia

S: 60 min; FR: 3 times/week; D: 40 weeks

Cognitive function: MMSE

Intervention group = 25.2 (3.1); n = 24

MMSE: mean ± SD

Group: not clearly reported

Physical function: SLS, BBS, CIRS

Control group = 22.4 (7.6); n = 19

Intervention group: 24.8 ± 3.5

By: ≥3 training instructors/Taiji class

Behavioural outcomes: GDS, Rosenberg's SES

Rosenberg's SES

Control group: 22.9 ± 5.2

Cognitive behavioural therapies

Intervention group = 40.2 (5.1); n = 24

Community-dwelling

Support group

Control group = 35.5 (5.6); n = 19

Control group: delayed intervention (20th week)

Rolland et al. 2007 [57]

N = 134 (F 75.3%) (82.1% completed the study)

Intervention group

At baseline/6 months/12 months

Compared between two groups

PEDro score: 8/10^a

Age = 83 ± 7.4

Collective exercise: walking, LE strengthening and balance exercises

Physical performance: Katz index of ADLs, 6-m walking speed, get up and go test, one-leg balance test

Walking speed (sixth month**, 12th month**)

MMSE = 8.8 ± 6.6

S: 60 min; FR: twice/week; D: 12 months (88 sessions)

Behavioural disturbance/depression/nutritional status: NPI, The Montgomery–Asberg depression rating scale and mini-nutritional assessment

ADL at 12th month*

Dx; Alzheimer's disease

Group: 2–7 (mean, 5.2); by: OT

Safety, number of falls, fractures and deaths

Attendance

5 Nursing homes

Control group: routine medical care

41.8% had low adherence (<one third of the sessions)

Average 33.2 ± 25.5% of 88 sessions

Shaw et al. 2003 [58]

N = 274 (M = 20%, F = 80%)

Intervention: following multi-factorial clinical assessments

At baseline/third month/1-year follow-up

Compare between groups

PEDro score: 7/10^a

Age: mean = 84 (70–98)

Medical

Balance score

At third month: mean (interquartile ranges)

Dx; cognitive impairment (90% dementia)

Cardiovascular

Gait score

Gait score^b,*

MMSE: mean

PT: 99% of participants had balance problem

Environmental risk factors

Intervention group = 14 (13–16); n = 117

Intervention group: 14 (6–18)

S: 20–30 min; FR: twice a day; D: 3 months

Number of participants who fell at least once in the year after intervention

Control group = 15 (13–17); n = 125

Control group: 12 (6–18)

By: PT (home-based exercise)

Number of falls, time to first fall, injury rates, fall-related attendance at accident and emergency department/hospital admission, mortality

Environmental risk factors**

2 Accident/Emergency departments (60 community-living residents [21.89%]; 214 institutionalised residents [78.10%])

Intervention group = 1 (0–2); n = 124

Control group = 2 (1–3); n = 135

Pomeroy et al. 1999 [59]

N = 81 (M = 21, F = 60)

Intervention: PT treatment

At baseline/end of study admission beginning next respite admission

Compare between groups

PEDro score: 6/10^a

Age: mean = 81.9 (66–98)

S: 30 min FR: 10 sessions/2 weeks; D: 2 weeks (respite care admission)

The Southampton mobility assessment (mobility score)

At the end study admission

Dx; dementia

Group: individual exercise; by: PT

2 min walking test (distance walked)

Mobility score: mean difference*

16 Clinical centres (living at home)

Distance walked: mean difference*