Does the Global Postural Re-Education Affect the Psychological and Postural Aspects of Alzheimer Disease Patients? A Six Months Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Objective: To study the implementation of Global Postural Re-education as a rehabilitative alternative in residence facilities for seniors with Alzheimer, and to verify its effect on psychological and cognitive symptoms.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed using month-follow-up assessments at 1,3, and 6 months respectively. Ninety elderly people participated in the composition of the study sample: 69 women and 21 men aged from 67 to 89 years (80.2 ±5.5), grouped in two phases: mild and moderate, according to Alzheimer severity. Patients in both groups received the same treatment twice a week for consecutively 24 weeks. Three follow-up medium-long term assessments were performed at intervals of 1, 3, and 6 months. Outcome measures included Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Quality of Life in Alzheimer Disease, Barthel Index, and Tinetti Scale.

Results: The severity of groups therapy interaction showed significant changes in four outcome measures as cognition [F(1,88)=60.26; p=.000; partial η2= 0.406], depression [F(1,88)=8.24; p=.005; partial η2= 0.086], life quality [F(1,88)= 10.45; p=.002; partial η2= 0.106] and equilibrium [F(1,88)= 6.96; p=.010; partial η2= 0.073]. No changes were found for autonomy [F(1,88)= 1.10; p=.297; partial η2= 0.012]. These changes between the two groups were observed at the sixth month follow-up assessment.

Conclusion: Global postural reeducation could be useful as a complementary rehabilitation treatment in Alzheimer patients.