Effectiveness of home‐based telerehabilitation in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: A randomised controlled study

Abstract Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has made it necessity that rehabilitation services are provided remotely to patients. These process required a transformation in healthcare. The aim of this study was investigate the effectiveness of the home‐based online supervised exercise program in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the results of real‐time supervised physical exercise telerehabilitation program in AD. Method Eighteen subjects with early‐middle stage of AD were randomised into 2 group as telerehabilitation group (TG; mean age: 77.7 ± 5.29 years; 7 Female, 3 Male) and control group (CG; mean age: 78.5 ± 7.07 years; 5 Female, 3 Male). Our primary outcome was Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), seconder outcomes were Timed Up&Go (TUG), One‐leg Balance Test (OLBT), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Geriatric Depression Scale‐Short Form (GDS). The 6‐week motor‐cognitive dual‐task exercise training was performed online and under the supervision of physiotherapist through videoconference. No physical or cognitive intervention was applied to the control group for 6 weeks. Subjects were assessed before and after the treatment. In statistical analysis, the change in the outcome scores was calculated (∆ = last measurement‐first measurement), the difference between the groups was performed with the Mann Whitney‐U Test in SPSS 22.0. Trial’s protocol is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov under number NCT04606251. Result There was a significant difference between TG and CG in favor of TG in MMSE, TUG, FIM and GDS (p<0,05); There was no significant difference between groups in OLBT (p>0,05). Statistical results have been showed in Table 1. No safety problem was observed during the treatment. All subjects were completed the study, there was a high adherence to treatment. Conclusion Physical exercise treatment with telerehabilitation was feasible, safe and well‐accepted by people with early‐middle stage of AD. Online‐supervised exercise program can improve cognitive function, functional mobility, independence and reduce depressive symptoms.