Commit to being fit for research
NARI and FABS II researchers are calling for people with Alzheimer’s and their carers to volunteer for their study
By Lillian Radulova
An Australian study which aims to tackle the challenge of improving the wellbeing of people living with Alzheimer’s disease using exercise is in need of volunteers.
National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) researchers from the Fitness for the Ageing Brain Study (FABS II) are calling for more participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s to put their hand up, get involved and help the team to examine whether or not they can significantly improve memory function and general well being through physical activity.
Chair of Old Age Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne and the study’s lead, Professor Nicola Lautenschlager, said her team’s research is vital given the current lack of evidence surrounding non-pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
“Participants support research and give something back to the community, they play a role in finding better treatment which is especially important because the drug development research looking for safer medication for Alzheimer’s is a bit stuck,” Prof Lautenschlager said.
“We have some medicines available, but not for stopping the symptoms [of Alzheimer’s disease] and it’s realistic to expect that we won’t have much better drugs in market for the next 10 years, so it’s important to look at other approaches [to] improve quality of life in other ways that are not based on medications.”
Participation in the study will require a six-month commitment and involves the adult with Alzheimer’s performing light physical activities such as walking or swimming.
“The program prescribes home-based physical activity, such as walking, which is gradually increased to 150 minutes per week. But this can be mixed up with other activities that the participant prefers…”
Prof Nicola Lautenschlager also called for carers, aged care staff, family members or a partner of someone living with Alzheimer’s to participate in the study by encouraging involvement and thereafter, providing reminders and motivation.
The study will take volunteers from both older and younger age groups, from 80 years old right down to people in their 50s as, Prof Lautenschlager said, there are numerous benefits associated with investigating a large sample group of people of various ages.
Deliberately designed to make participation as least burdensome as possible, the study caters for an individuals’ specific needs.
A physical activity expert will look at participants’ medical history and other information before designing a program with both the applicant and carer while the research team stay in contact with participants over the six-month period.
“Having contact with a research team is another form of social contact.
“Some people find it interesting to learn how the research is done and it gives them an opportunity to share the experience with their illness, or if have questions. It’s a good way of spending time with someone who is interested in what they’re experiencing.”
Prof Lautenschlager commented that the evidence of regular exercise improving brain function, even in older age, is growing.
But more research is required to increase the quality of results.
“Physical activity is good for your overall health and preventing things like stroke and cancer, and only very recently has there been indication that it can specifically help the brain in delaying or preventing memory loss.
“…Or even reducing or slowing down the progression of the illness and improve a persons’ quality of life.”
Other benefits include the personal benefits of enjoying physical activity and improving individual confidence and fitness.
For more information about the study or to get involved contact NARI on (03) 8387 2305
