ORCID

Abstract

Previous research has explored the physical activity habits of people with dementia and their family carers separately, with little consideration of how physical habits are associated within dyads. In this observational study, we sought to explore the relationship between people with dementia and their carers' physical activity, at a group level and at a dyadic level. Twenty-six participant dyads (persons with dementia and their carer spouses) were asked to wear an accelerometer for 30 days continuously. Comparisons were made at a group level and a dyadic level. People with dementia did not participate in significantly more moderate to vigorous physical activity (M = 15.44 min/day; SD = 14.40) compared with carers (M = 17.95 min/day; SD = 17.01). Within dyads, there were moderately strong associations between daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (r = .48-.54), but not with overall activity levels (r = .24). Despite physical activity habits remaining relatively low within people with dementia and carers, respectively, moderate to vigorous physical activity levels appear to be correlated within dyads. Understanding mutual influence on physical activity levels within dyads is an important pathway to promote an active lifestyle.

Publication Date

2024-03-04

Publication Title

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

Volume

32

Issue

4

ISSN

1063-8652

Acceptance Date

2024-01-12

Deposit Date

2024-08-02

Funding

This report is independent research supported by the National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the National Institute for Health Research or the Department of Health and Social Care. R\u00EDona McArdle is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) for her fellowship (NIHR 301677), and supported by the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) based at The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospital National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, Newcastle University; and the Cumbria, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust. We are grateful for the support of Serena Thomas, Gina Sherlock, and the Dementia Research Unit (Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) for supporting the recruitment of participants in this study. The research was internally funded by the Centre for Dementia Studies, Brighton and Sussex Medical School. A special thank you to all participants who gave their time to participate in this research.

Keywords

Accelerometer, Caregiver, Exercise, Habitual, Spouse, habitual, caregiver, accelerometer, exercise, spouse, Humans, Middle Aged, Male, Caregivers/psychology, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Aged, Accelerometry, Dementia/psychology

First Page

480

Last Page

487

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