A Multidomain Intervention Program for Older People With Dementia

"Progressive resistance training (PRT) for the physical intervention will be provided at the nursing home for 45 minutes twice a week. The sessions will be organized in groups (6-10 patients/ group) and supervised by 2 physiotherapists. Within each small group (maximum 10), participants will follow the program tailored to their individual functioning level, with constant oversight by trainers.~People with dementia and care staff will be instructed to follow the prescribed PRT exercises for the rest of the week. Subjects will be encouraged to exercise daily."

"The study subjects will receive cognitive intervention based on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy with rehabilitation experts. The intervention involves 14 sessions of themed activities, which typically run twice weekly. The sessions will be organized in groups (6-10 patients/ group).~People with dementia and their care staff will be instructed on how to practice the various activities at their nursing home for the rest of the week."

Social intervention will be combined with physical and cognitive interventions through doing these in a group, playing games during exercises (dancing, throwing ball to each other) or doing cognitive stimulation therapy in a group.

"Study physicians will assess the risk of developing new chronic diseases, change in blood pressure, weight and BMI, and hip and waist circumference, blood test (glucose, lipid parameters, fasting glucose, and HbA1C if the person with dementia has diabetes) at 3 and 6 months.~Participants in the intervention group will be provided with information on the importance of reducing risk factors, guidance on lifestyle changes and prescribing treatment if necessary by cardiologists and endocrinologists. The target for blood pressure is less than 120/90 mmHg and the target for HbA1c is less than 8 %."