Physical activity, mastication and pain in dementia

Title of project or programme

Title of PI

Physical activity, mastication and pain in dementia

Principal Investigators of project/programme grant

Title	Forname	Surname	Institution	Country
prof.dr.	Erik	Scherder	VU University, Clinical Neuropsychology	Netherlands
dr.	Laura	Eggermont	VU University, Clinical Neuropsychology	Netherlands

Address of institution of lead PI

Institution	VU University, Clinical Neuropsychology
Street Address	Van der Boechorststraat 1
City	Amsterdam
Postcode	1081 BT

Country

• Netherlands

Source of funding information
Dutch Alzheimer’s Association (Azheimer Nederland)
Total sum awarded (Euro)
1000000
Start date of award
01-07-2007
Total duration of award in months
60
The project/programme is most relevant to

• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias

Keywords
physical activity, exercise, mastication, oral care, teeth care, pain, cognition, behaviour, sleep-wake rhythm, mood, dementia, aging
Research abstract in English
An increase in physical activity, e.g. participation in an exercise program, appears to have a beneficial influence on cognitive functioning in older people and in patients in a very early stage of dementia. Effects of a relative short exercise program, i.e. 6 weeks, are inconsistent in a more advanced stage of dementia. Consequently, we started a longitudinal physical activity program that now runs for 1.5 years, to examine whether a much longer intervention period yields more beneficial effects on cognition and behaviour in a more advanced stage of dementia. One type of physical activity that receives hardly any attention with respect to memory is mastication. Results of animal experimental studies and a few human experimental studies with young and older persons without dementia show a close relationship between mastication and memory. Therefore, we started a project on the relationship between mastication, cognition, and behaviour in patients with dementia. Finally, pain is one of the most undertreated symptoms in dementia and may therefore be one of the causes of inactivity/passivity in older persons with dementia. In other words, physical activity and pain are closely related. For that reason, a project is implemented in which pain observation takes place daily; such an increase in the quality of caring highly contributes to a more effective treatment strategy.
Lay Summary

In which category does this research fall?

• Clinical research

Physical activity, mastication and pain in dementia

Investments > €500k
Netherlands
Alzheimer’s disease & other dementias
2011