A systematic review - physical activity in dementia

The influence of the nursing home environment

Journal article (2014)

Authors

H. Anderiesen Applied Ergonomics and Design - IDE
Erik J.A. Scherder Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
R.H.M. Goossens Industrial Design, Erasmus MC
M.H. Sonneveld Design Aesthetics - IDE
Research Group
Applied Ergonomics and Design (IDE) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

2014

Language

English

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Faculty

Industrial Design Engineering

Department

Human-Centered Design

Research Group

Applied Ergonomics and Design

Abstract

Most older persons with dementia living in nursing homes spend their days without engaging in much physical activity. This study therefore looked at the influence that the environment has on their level of physical activity, by reviewing empirical studies that measured the effects of environmental stimuli on the physical activity of nursing home residents suffering from dementia. The electronic databases PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library were used for the search. The search covered studies published between January 1993 and December 2012, and revealed 3187 abstracts. 326 studies were selected as potentially relevant; of these, 24 met all the inclusion criteria. Positive results on the residents' levels of physical activity were found for music, a homelike environment and functional modifications. Predominantly positive results were also found for the small-scale group living concepts. Mixed results were found for bright or timed light, the multisensory environment and differences in the building footprint.