Title
The effects of observation of walking in a living room environment, on physical, cognitive, and quality of life related outcomes in older adults with dementia: A study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Author
Douma, Johanna G. (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Volkers, Karin M. (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Vuijk, Jelle Pieter (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Sonneveld, M.H. (TU Delft Design Aesthetics)
Goossens, R.H.M. (TU Delft Industrial Design; Erasmus MC)
Scherder, Erik J.A. (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)
Department
Industrial Design
Date
2015
Abstract
Background: The number of older adults with dementia is expected to increase. Dementia is not only characterized by a decline in cognition, also other functions, for example, physical functioning change. A possible means to decrease the decline in these functions, or even improve them, could be increasing the amount of physical activity. A feasible way hereto may be activation of the mirror neuron system through action observation. This method has already been shown beneficial for the performance of actions in, for example, stroke patients. The primary aim of this study is to examine the effect of observing videos of walking people on physical activity and physical performance, in older adults with dementia. Secondary, effects on cognition and quality of life related factors will be examined. Methods/Design: A cluster randomized controlled trial is being performed, in which videos are shown to older adults with dementia (also additional eligibility criteria apply) in shared living rooms of residential care facilities. Due to the study design, living rooms instead of individual participants are randomly assigned to the experimental (videos of walking people) or control (videos of nature) condition, by means of drawing pieces of paper. The intervention has a duration of three months, and takes place on weekdays, during the day. There are four measurement occasions, in which physical activity, physical functioning, activities of daily living, cognition, the rest-activity rhythm, quality of life, and depression are assessed. Tests for participants are administered by a test administrator who is blind to the group the participant is in. Discussion: This study examines the effect of the observation of walking people on multiple daily life functions and quality of life related factors in older adults with dementia. A strength of this study is that the intervention does not require much time and attention from caregivers or researchers. A challenge of the study is therefore to get to know for how long residents watch the videos. However, the design implies a high feasibility of the study, as well as a high applicability of the intervention into daily care. Trial registration: NTR4708. Date of registration: 31 July 2014.
Subject
Action observation
Cognition
Dementia
Intervention
Mirror neuron system
Older adults
Physical activity
Quality of life
Randomized controlled trial
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:3c20da35-220e-4a83-8afb-b6f99341f711
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-015-0024-1
ISSN
1471-2318
Source
BMC Geriatrics, 15 (1), 1-12
Part of collection
Institutional Repository
Document type
journal article
Rights
© 2015 Johanna G. Douma, Karin M. Volkers, Jelle Pieter Vuijk, M.H. Sonneveld, R.H.M. Goossens, Erik J.A. Scherder