Effectiveness of a 24-week exercise programme for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and members of support groups for individuals with memory problems: a pilot study

The ageing population is associated with a globally increased incidence of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is a progressive disorder characterised by multiple dysfunctions that lead to a loss of independence. Health-promoting lifestyle modifications, including regular physical activity, diet, vitamin D supplementation, and calcium level monitoring, play a significant role in preventing and slowing disease progression. In addition to pharmacological treatment, physical exercise and cognitive training constitute essential elements of therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a 24-week standardised exercise programme for patients with AD. Finally, the study involved 13 patients diagnosed with AD, including 10 females (77%) and 3 males (23%), aged between 71 and 86 years (mean age 78 ± 6.5). Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) before and after 24 weeks. Each patient participated in 72 exercise sessions combining aerobic activity with mental training, conducted three times per week for 45 min. After 24 weeks of exercise, a significant improvement was observed in overall cognitive function, encompassing all MMSE domains (p = 0.007). Improvements within individual domains were not statistically significant. No changes were recorded in CDT scores. The 24-week exercise programme significantly improved the overall cognitive function of patients with AD, leading to the conclusion that physical exercise combined with cognitive training can produce beneficial therapeutic effects in maintaining cognitive function.