Effect of cognitive stimulation associated with physical exercises for the prevention of falls in the physical and cognitive dimensions of community elderly people with cognitive deficit

• Grant number: 20/06566-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2020
• End date: February 28, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Karina Gramani Say
• Grantee: José Emanuel Alves
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/12592-6 - Impacts of technology-mediated dance on the postural balance, physical and cognitive function of community elderly, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Falls are multifactorial events of high prevalence among the elderly, which negatively influence living conditions and act in the reduction of biopsychosocial conditions, with consequences for the faller and their social cycle. The main causes are linked to extrinsic conditions, related to the environment and intrinsic as changes in gait, some of which are potentiated due to cognitive changes. Therefore, this study is necessary, since it seeks to verify the influence of preventive actions in the physical and cognitive scope, focused on falls and their injuries. This is an experimental, double-blind, longitudinal study with a quantitative approach, with pre and post-test. Community individuals aged 60 years or older, with cognitive deficit and fallers will be selected. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: experimental group (EG) and control group (CG), both will be subjected to physical interventions. The GE will have cognitive stimulation. The physical intervention will consist of stretching, coordination, muscle strengthening, double-task and balance exercises, lasting approximately 45 minutes. The cognitive intervention will consist of activities that stimulate the various cognitive domains, lasting around 45 minutes. Both will occur twice a week, for 16 weeks. It is hoped that, after the experimental phase, it will be possible to attest to the influence of these preventive physical and cognitive stimulation programs on the risk of falls in elderly community members with cognitive impairment.