This study aims to evaluate the benefits of cardiovascular training, resistance training, and a combination of the two in delaying the progression of early-onset dementia. The study will recruit 60 individuals with mild early-onset dementia from hospitals across Western Canada and assign them to groups that do cardiovascular training, resistance training, a combination, or no exercise. Participants in the exercise groups will do 2 sessions per week for 12 months while being tested at baseline and every 3 months on scales measuring dementia progression. The study hypothesizes that one or more of the exercise interventions will be effective in slowing cognitive and functional decline compared to the control group.

1. Evaluating the benefits of resistance training, cardiovascular training, and a combination
of the two in delaying the progression associated with early-onset dementia.
K. Bratic and L. Kellar
Camosun College
ABSTRACT
METHODS
PROCEDURES
DESIGN
To determine the benefits of cardiovascular training, resistance training, or both on the
effects of dementia progression in individuals with mild early-onset dementia.
REFERENCES
Early-onset dementia (EOD) is the degeneration of mental
functioning before the age of 65. It has been stated that people
who have a mild level of EOD can slow the progression of it
with exercise, but it has not been examined as to which mode
is the most beneficial for this. Patients with EOD will be
recruited from hospitals across western Canada, and the ones
that meet the eligibility criteria will be selected to a local
hospital or care centre to participate in study. Each centre will
be categorized with a training mode or serve as a control for
the 12 month program. Each centre doing exercises will do so
2 times a week, at the same time of day each time. Testing will
occur at baseline and every 3 month period after until the 12
month mark. Tests being used are CDR scale, D-QOL scale,
and the BADLS. Results will be examined using a Factorial
ANOVA test to determine significance (α=0.05).
Study Design: Quasi-Experimental with a control group.
We will have to assign certain centres with specific exercise
modes to keep consistency with the exercise instructors, and
therefore cannot have true randomization.
Statistical Analysis: At the end of the program, all results will
be analyzed with a Factorial ANOVA test (α=0.05) to see if there
is a significant relationship between slowing the progression of
dementia and the specific modes of exercise training.
Exercise Protocols: Each mode of training will do 2x/week of the activity, 80 mins of
training in each session. Each session for all modes will be structured as 15 minutes warm-
up, 50 mins core exercise, 15 mins cool-down. The combination group will have 25 mins
of their core exercise focused on resistance training and the last 25 mins on Cardio.
Resistance training exercises will be done using %RM and aerobic training will use HRR
for exercise intensity to keep consistency amongst participants (4).
Training Protocols: Establish care centres or hospitals close enough to a set number of
patients, so they can go there to be apart of a training group. Each centre will be randomly
assigned to a training category (cardio, RT, combination, or control). All protocols will be
standardized for exercise groups: each will do their program at the same time of day, each
will have the same trainers with the groups, and each group will have the same program
for all members (timing exercises for cardio or HRR, %RM for RT). Control group will
partake in a book club during the allotted time. Trainers will use brief precise cueing and
the use of cueing tools such as a mirror to create empathetic training environment (3).To
prevent cross-training, patients will be asked to do no other training on top of program.
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE
Dementia has been defined as “an umbrella term referring to a
group of diseases that are characterized by progressive,
degenerative and irreversible decline in mental
functioning” (1). Early-onset dementia is the diagnosis of
dementia before the age of 65 (2). Those who are diagnosed
with early-onset dementia have decreased cognitive
functioning as well as challenges with daily living in
comparison with peers of a similar age. This can also cause a
decreased quality of life. There are three different
classifications of dementia progression: mild, moderate and
severe. We are examining the effects of different exercise
modes on delaying the progression of cognitive/daily activity
functioning in those with early onset dementia-mild
classification. Mild dementia can be defined as moderate
memory loss, moderate problems handling issues and
moderate difficulty with relationships (2).
Study Population and Eligibility Criteria: Our study population will be those who have
early-onset dementia and classify under mild dementia by the Clinical Dementia Rating
Scale (CDR). All participants also have to have a low activity level and PAR-Q+ clearance
before entering the study. Our goal is an N of 60 with 15 participants in each group.
Exclusion Criteria: Patients with moderate to severe level dementia, has dementia onset
after 65 years, has a severe chronic illness, has severe mobility issues, and has a
neurological disease affecting motor control such as Parkinson’s disease will be excluded
from the study. Those with high activity levels will also be excluded as we don’t want
cross-training effects hindering our results.
Recruitment: We will recruit through hospitals all over western Canada to find patients
with EOD that could participate in the study, and have potential candidates complete
PARQ+, and CDR Scale testing to meet inclusion criteria.
Ethics: All successful candidates will sign informed consent.
Measurements: Testing will be done with all eligible
participants at baseline, 3 months into the protocol, 6 moths in, 9
months in, and at the end of the study at the 12 month mark. All
testing will be done at the same time on the testing day, and the
same day of the week each time for consistency. The three tests
that will be run at each of the testing sessions, in this order, are
the CDR Scale (4), D-QOL: Dementia Quality of life scale for
mild/moderate dementia (5), and Bristol’s Activity of Daily
Living Scale (BADLS)(4) to track the patient’s progression.
Examiner Criteria: Each centre will have 4 examiners and a
participant will have a different examiner that is unaware of the
hypothesis for each of the tests to prevent biased scoring. The
examiners will also not have access to any previous scores for
the participant they are testing.
1. Flynn, R., & Mulcahy, H. (2013). Early-onset dementia: the impact on family care-givers. British Journal Of Community
Nursing, 18(12), 598-606
2. Morris, J. (1993). The Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR): Current vision and scoring rules. Neurology, 43:2412-2414. Retrieved
from: http://www.neurology.org/content/43/11/2412.2.full.pdf+html?sid=97d099eb-9b84-4605-8f94-0830551dc501
3. Hauer, K., Schwenk, M., Zieschang, T., Essig, M., Becker, C., & Oster, P. (2012). Physical Training Improves Motor
Performance in People with Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society,
60(1), 8-15. Retrieved from:
https://libsecure.camosun.bc.ca:2443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=c8h&AN=104627002&site=eds-live
4. Gates, N. J., Valenzuela, M., Sachdev, P. S., Singh, N. A., Baune, B. T., Brodaty, H., & ... Fiatarone Singh, M. A. (2011). Study
of mental activity and regular training (SMART) in at risk individuals: A randomised double blind, sham controlled,
longitudinal trial. BMC Geriatrics, 11(19). Retrieved from:
https://libsecure.camosun.bc.ca:2443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=mnh&AN=21510896&site=eds-live
5. Hooghiemstra, A. M., Eggermont, L. P., Scheltens, P., van der Flier, W. M., Bakker, J., de Greef, M. G., & ... Scherder, E. A.
(2012). Study protocol: Exercise and cognition in sedentary adults with early-onset dementia (EXERCISE-ON). BMC
Neurology, 12(75). Retrieved from:
https://libsecure.camosun.bc.ca:2443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=mnh&AN=22897903&site=eds-live
MEASURES