Title:Rivastigmine Transdermal Patch and Physical Exercises for Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Volume: 11
Issue: 6
Author(s): Paula Aguiar, Larissa Monteiro, Ana Feres, Irenio Gomes and Ailton Melo
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Activities of daily living, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, exercise, quality of life, rivastigmine.
Abstract: Abstract: Objective: To determine the effects of rivastigmine patch associated with physical exercise versus rivastigmine
patch alone in quality of life (QOL), cognition, activities of daily living (ADL) and functional mobility in Alzheimer's disease
(AD)subjects. Methods: A randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial was conducted in 40 patients with mild to
moderate stages of AD. All patients were daily treated with rivastigmine transdermal patch at a stable dose of 4.6 mg and
randomized into two groups: physical exercises or control. The exercise program consisted of aerobic, flexibility, strength
and balance movements, twice a week for 6 months. Main outcomes were Quality of Life in Alzheimer's disease scale
(QOL), Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADL), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and “Time Up and Go
Test”. Results: Thirty-four patients completed the study. After 6 months, there was a significant improvement in QOL of
patients randomized to physical exercise group (P< 0.05). In both groups, there was an improvement on caregivers QOL
(P>0.05). When considering cognitive functions, there was no difference between groups. The ability to perform ADL
worsened in the group enrolled to RTP alone. There was an improvement in functional mobility in the group treated with
RTP. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the association between physical exercises and RTP improves QOL in patients
with AD. Cognition remained unchanged in both groups. Regarding the effect of physical exercises in ADL, further trials
are necessary to confirm these results.
