Physical activity engagement strategies in people with dementia – a focus group study

Harwood, Rowan H.; van der Wardt, Veronika; Hancox, Jennie; Pollock, Kristian; Logan, Pip; Vedhara, Kavita; Harwood, Rowan

Abstract

Objective: This focus group study aimed to explore how to motivate people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia and their carers to engage in exercise and physical activity.

Methods: Four focus groups were conducted with six people with MCI or dementia, three carers and four clinicians (nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapists). A thematic analysis of the data was undertaken.

Results: Five main themes were identified: ‘memory problems’, ‘self-motivation’, ‘external motivation’, ‘design of activities’ and ‘barriers’. Participants viewed exercise positively but emphasised that it needed to fit into their daily routine. Goal-setting was seen as helpful by some participants but others saw this as a source of potential failure. Enjoyment was seen as key to engagement.

Conclusion: Exercise and physical activity interventions need an individualised approach to engage people with MCI or dementia, with a positive emphasis on enjoyment. Goal-setting should be used with caution in this group of people.

Citation

Harwood, R. H., van der Wardt, V., Hancox, J., Pollock, K., Logan, P., Vedhara, K., & Harwood, R. (2020). Physical activity engagement strategies in people with dementia – a focus group study. Aging and Mental Health, 24(8), 1326-1333. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1590308

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 23, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Apr 7, 2019
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Mar 18, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 29, 2019
• Journal: Aging & Mental Health
• Print ISSN: 1360-7863
• Electronic ISSN: 1364-6915
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 1326-1333
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1590308
• Keywords: Dementia, physical activity, exercise, motivation, behaviour change
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1661545
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13607863.2019.1590308
• Contract Date: Mar 18, 2019