Physical activity engagement strategies in people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia – a focus group study

Abstract

Objective: This focus group study aimed to explore how to motivate people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia and their carers to engage in exercise and physical activity.

Methods: Four focus groups were conducted with six people with MCI or dementia, three carers and four clinicians (nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapists). A thematic analysis of the data was undertaken.

Results: Five main themes were identified: ‘memory problems’, ‘self-motivation’, ‘external motivation’, ‘design of activities’ and ‘barriers’. Participants viewed exercise positively but emphasised that it needed to fit into their daily routine. Goal-setting was seen as helpful by some participants but others saw this as a source of potential failure. Enjoyment was seen as key to engagement.

Conclusion: Exercise and physical activity interventions need an individualised approach to engage people with MCI or dementia, with a positive emphasis on enjoyment. Goal-setting should be used with caution in this group of people.

Keywords:

• Dementia
• physical activity
• exercise
• motivation
• behaviour change

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its ProgrammeGrants for Applied Research Programme (Reference Number RP-PG-0614-20007). The views expressed are those of theauthors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.