Brazilian health professionals promoters of physical activity for elderly people with cognitive disorders: a survey study

• Grant number: 16/08487-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2016
• End date: November 24, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Grace Angélica de Oliveira Gomes
• Grantee: Camila Tiome Baba
• Supervisor: Sara Holtum Demain
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Humanas e Biológicas (CCHB). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Southampton, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 14/17419-7 - Evaluation of a walking program for adults and elderly people from a high vulnerability area: use of RE-AIM model, BP.IC

Abstract

Currently, the world population is aging fast as well as the prevalence of dementia. Some studies suggest that increase physical activity is associated with cognitive benefits and decrease risk of dementia. One strategy for promotion of physical activity is through interventions, but there are few studies in literature about the knowledge of health professionals who promote physical activity for elderly people with cognitive disorders. Objective: Conduct a survey in Brazilian capital on health professionals who promote physical activity for elderly people with cognitive disorders. Methods: This study is part of a larger study named "Development of core outcome set to evaluate physical activity in people with dementia". This project aims to: 1) to inform the design of clinical trials of exercise/physical activity including people with dementia and 2) provide guidance for health care professionals, assessing exercise/physical activity interventions for people with dementia, regarding the most appropriate outcomes and outcome measures. Survey data related to the project will be implemented in five continents, and one of them will be in South America represented by Brazil. For project execution is necessary to conduct a survey of health professionals who deal directly with interventions and physical activity promotion services for elderly people with cognitive disorders, which will be held by the Brazilian student in order to encourage the remaining stages of the study. Therefore, a cross-sectional descriptive study will be carried out between September and December of 2016 in partnership between the Federal University of São Carlos and the University of Southampton. The sample will be health professionals in the Brazilian capitals to work actively and regularly in programs, projects or services that provide physical activity promotion for older people with cognitive impairment. There will be a survey by Internet, telephone and searchigng with public and private organization as well as universities, about the existence of projects, programs and/or physical activity promotion services offered to elderly people with cognitive disorders. Initially, it will be listed all the possible sites to be addressed. Then a contact by email or telephone survey will be carried out with all coordinators and owners requesting a collaboration of the health professionals working with the topic of the study. These contacts will be listed and stored. Expect results: We expect to find enough professionals for the future approach to be held by the main researcher. These results will concern an expected sample 40-150 participants at the end inquiry. (AU)