背景:失智症患者認知、語言、溝通、記憶、情緒與日常生活功能表現皆出現障礙,文獻指出走路運動可以減緩這些功能衰退的速度。目的:探討每日30-60分鐘之健走方案,對慢性精神護理之家住民認知、情緒與日常生活自理功能之成效。方法:採類實驗性研究設計,以方便取樣某精神專科教學醫院附設精神護理之家,具認知功能障礙之住民為研究對象。實驗組接受持續3個月每日30-60分鐘之健走方案,對照組僅接受常規照護,分別檢測兩組於認知、情緒及日常生活功能之介入前後成效。結果:本研究收案74人(實驗組33人、對照組41人)。平均年齡57.96±8.65歲。在每日健走方案介入後,發現實驗組在日常生活處理能力後測較前測具大幅提升(t=2.81, p<.01),且具統計上之差異(t=6.94, p<.000)。然而在認知(t=1.008, p=.317)及情緒方面(t=-.147, p=884),未達統計上差異。實務應用:本研究發現每日健走時運用可接觸的細節變化,可幫助個案肢體活動外,且增強個案其自我照顧的能力。3個月的健走介入措施,個案在日常生活處理能力表現已具初步成效。本研究結果可提供極輕度與輕度認知障礙的社區個案認知改善方案參考。
Background: Patients with dementia experience continual declines in cognitive, emotional, and self-care functioning. Regular exercise may slow the pace of these functional declines. Study aim: This study examined the effectiveness of a daily 30- to 60-minute walking program for improving the cognitive, emotional, and self-care functions of residents with dementia in psychiatric nursing homes. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was adopted and participants were recruited at a psychiatric nursing home affiliated with a psychiatric teaching hospital. Participants were assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group participated in a daily 30-to 60-minute walking program. Cognitive, emotional, and self-care functions were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: The study included 74 participants (experimental group: 33; control group: 41). The mean age was 57.96 years (SD = 8.65. Post intervention, the experimental group exhibited a significant improvement in daily life function (t = 2.81, p < .01) and daily life processing ability (t = 6.94; p < .000). Clinical Implication: The walking program was designed to incorporate diverse routes to maximize variety. The results indicated that in addition to improving participants' physical conditions, the walking program enhanced their self-care abilities. This study offers a model for planning similar interventions to help people with slight or mild cognitive impairment in home-care and community settings.