The 6th Congress of Exercise and Sport Sciences

Barriers and Facilitators to Adherence to Walking Group Exercise in Older People Living With Dementia in the Community

Klara Dadova 1 Jitka Vseteckova 2 Manik Deepak Gopinath 2 Rosaria Gracia 3 Gemma Ryan 4 Erica Borgstrom 2 Jane Abington 5 Yannis Pappas 6
1Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
2School of Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
3Faculty of Social Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
4School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
5The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
6Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK

Background: Evidence suggests that targeted exercise is important for people living with dementia, especially those living in residential care. The aim of this presentation is to show evidence on the known barriers to and facilitators of adherence to walking group exercise of older people living with dementia in the community.

Methods: We have searched appropriate electronic databases between January 1990 until September 2019, in any language. Additionally, we will search trial registries (clinicaltrial.gov, and WHO ICTRP) for ongoing studies. We included all study designs. Studies were excluded when participants were either healthy older people or people suffering from dementia but living in an institution.

Results: Ten papers met the inclusion criteria. The narrative analysis focused on barriers, facilitators, and adherence. All studies reported on barriers and facilitators. Barriers included: bio-medical reasons (including mental well-being and physical ability); relationship dynamics; and socio-economic reasons and environmental issues. Facilitators included: bio-medical benefits and benefits related to physical ability; staff and group relationship dynamics and social aspects of the walking group; environmental issues and individual tailoring; and participants` perceptions about the walks and the programme. Most studies did not provide data about adherence or attendance; where reported, adherence ranged from 47-89%.

Conclusions: Walking in groups can have positive benefits for those with dementia and their carers. Carers’ willingness to engage, their circumstances, perspectives and previous experiences of exercise seem to play a key role in facilitating adherence, but there is little research that explores these factors. Also, the design, location and organisation of walking groups facilitate adherence. This reflects the need for such activities to be part of a wider ‘programme of care’, tailored to the needs of the individual, flexible and convenient. Knowledgeable and well-trained instructors or healthcare professionals are recommended as group exercise leaders.

Klara Dadova
Klara Dadova
Charles University - Faculty of Physical Education and Sport
Klara is HoD of Adapted Physical Education and Sports Medicine at Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague. Klara is interested in physiotherapy and sports therapy for people with special needs including older people. She has participated on research projects aimed at exercise therapy for cardiac patients, benefits of exercise for elderly, exercise adherence and exercise-related metabolic changes. Klara also leads courses for caregivers which are aimed at home exercise for older people.








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