Aerobic exercise improves quality of life, psychological well-being and systemic inflammation in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease.

Shehab M. Abd El-Kader, Osama H. Al-Jiffri
1. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia.
2. Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz
University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s disease has a destructive drawbacks on the patient and his/her entire family as this disease badly affects the behavior, cognition and abilities to do activities of daily living (ADL). The physical and mental benefits of exercise are  widely known but seldom available to persons suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure quality of life, systemic inflammation and psychological well-being response  to aerobic exercises in Alzheimer’s.

Methods:Forty Alzheimer elderly subjects were enrolled in two groups; the first group received treadmill aerobic exercise, while  the second group was considered as a control group and received no training intervention for two months. Assessment of tumor  necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES),Beck Depression Inventory (BDI),  Profile of Mood States(POMS) and SF-36 health quality of life (SF-36 HRQL) were taken before and at the end of the study.

Results: There was a 25.2%, 19.4%, 23.5%, 21.3%, 17.7% , 11.7%, 12.5% and 10.1 % reduction in mean values of TNF-α,  IL-6, BDI, POMS, health transition SF-36 subscale, bodily pain SF-36 subscale, role functioning: emotional SF-36 subscale and  mental health SF-36 subscale respectively in addition to 15.7%, 13.1%, 12.6%, 11.1%, 13.2% and 11.2 % increase in mean values  of RSES, physical functioning SF-36 subscale, role functioning:physical SF-36 subscale, general health SF-36 subscale, Vitality  SF-36 subscale and Social functioning SF-36 subscale respectively in group (A) received aerobic exercise training, so that there  was a significant reduction in the mean values of TNF-α, IL-6, BDI & POMS and increase in the mean values of SF-36 HRQL  subscale scores, RSES in group (A) as a result of aerobic exercise training, while the results of group (B) who received no training intervention were not significant. Also, there were significant differences between mean levels of the investigated parameters  in group (A) and group (B) at the end of the study (P<0.05).

Conclusion:Treadmill walking exercise training is an effective treatment policy to improve quality of life, systemic inflammation
and psychological wellbeing in Alzheimer’s.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise, quality of life, psychological well-being, systemic inflammation, Alzheimer’s.