Music-Based Sling Exercise for Cognition and Function of Older Adults with Dementia

Abstract

Aim

This study investigated the effect of a rhythmic sling mobility exercise program on cognitive and functional ability in community-dwelling older adults with dementia.

Methods

Forty patients with dementia were allocated into either the experimental group (n₁ = 21) that performed the rhythmic sling mobility exercise program while listening to their favorite popular music, or the control group (n₂ = 19) that performed daily routine activities. The intervention was performed for an average of 1 hour 5 times a week for 4 months.

Results

There were changes between the pretest and post-test values of cognition and functional ability between the two groups that indicate significant improvement, with medium to large effects size (d) (MMSE: −0.548; GS: −0.842; BBS: −1.700; 10MWT: −0.656; and MBI: −1.303).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the rhythmic sling mobility exercise program may be used to improve cognitive and functional recovery in community-dwelling older adults with dementia.

Keywords:

• Cognition
• dementia
• function
• music
• sling exercise

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.