My Dementia And Exercise

[Quasimodem]

If I wanted to prove (to myself or anyone else) that exercising on a regular basis helps retain/improve cognitive functions, how would I do that more or less scientifically? "Less", right?:)

I just started a walk/run program on out local rec dept track to help with weight control and malaise and to challenge myself to be more proactive than I have been of late.

So what do I do: take some kind of written test now, and then take the same one again after I'm well involved in my exercise program and then take it again at some point after THAT to see how much I've improved?;)

I'm winking at you because I can imagine those of you who do this kinda thing for a living are probably shaking your heads right about now.

But just for shits and giggles, what would be the best way to prove something like that?

Thanks

Quasi

[Corcaigh]

So what do I do: take some kind of written test now, and then take the same one again after I'm well involved in my exercise program and then take it again at some point after THAT to see how much I've improved?;)


I'm going to say yes to that idea, there is (well at least here in Ireland) a test given to the elderly to determine what level their cognitive functions are at, mostly it's an oral - "what day is it?" and the like.

My mother was given one when she started going to Daycare once a week and passed with flying colours, a few months later she went full-on Dementia (she has NPH) literally overnight and was given the test again and scored very very low. Her condition hasn't improved, but it hasn't worsened in the last 12 months.

Best of luck to you Quasimodem! ((hugs))

[Quasimodem]

Thanks and best wishes to you and your mother. Glad you're here, Corcaigh!:)

Quasi

[Corcaigh]

Thanks :D

My mother is happy as larry chatting away to her hallucinations. It only becomes a problem when she wants to make them all a cup of tea and give them a slice of cake!

I'm only a PM away if you want to chat

[Ace309]

Sure, Quas! That would be a way to test the effect. It implicitly assumes that you aren't changing anything else that might be responsible for some difference in the scores, but you can control for that by just taking not of any difference in conditions that you think might have an effect.

Very similar tests are used every day. Good luck!

[WhyNot]

You've got it perfectly. Your results won't "prove" anything in a rigorous scientific sense, of course. But if I were your nurse, I'd be doing such testing periodically, to see if we were meeting our nursing goals for you.

The Folstein Mini Mental Status (http://www.bsiworks.com/folstein.htm) is a very common one, and it could be adapted to your use. You'll need someone to help you score it, of course, since you won't know if your answers are correct.