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Physical function in persons with cognitive impairments (completed)

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease leading to cognitive impairments and is a major cause of older people losing their ability to live independently.

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About the project

In our project we seek to investigate the relationship between cognitive function and physical function. How does physical function change as cognitive function gets worse in persons with Alzheimer’s disease?

Objectives

  • To identify the stages at which changes in physical function occur during the course of Alzheimer’s disease
  • To examine relationships between physical function, cognition and psychiatric symptoms in persons with Alzheimer’s disease

Outcomes

Data collection is ongoing

Background

Alzheimer’s disease is primarily characterized by cognitive decline, psychiatric symptoms and behavioural changes. However the disease may also entail changes in physical function such as slowness and impaired gait. People with Alzheimer’s disease also seem to fall more frequently than their peers. In this study patients visiting Memory Clinics in Norway will be assessed by performance-based measures of physical function.

Financing

Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo

Cooperation

Our project is a part of an interdisciplinary research programme “Improving mental health of older people through multidisciplinary efforts. The South-Eastern Norway Pooled Efforts Project” funded by the Norwegian Research Council.  We also cooperate with researchers and clinicians at the Neuropsychiatric Clinic at Skånes University Hospital.

Start - Finish

August 2010 - July 2014

Published Mar. 30, 2011 6:45 PM - Last modified Feb. 7, 2020 3:16 PM

Contact

Project leader:

Anne Marit Mengshoel

PhD student:

Gro Gujord Tangen

Participants

  • Anne Marit Mengshoel University of Oslo
  • Gro Gujord Tangen University of Oslo
  • Knut Engedal
  • Astrid Bergland
Detailed list of participants