Author(s)

Oussama Gaied Chortane^1,2, Imen Ben Amar^1,2, Makrem Zghibi³, Yassmin Dhaouadi², Jaouher Hamaidi², Elmotez Magtouf², Riadh Khalifa², Sabri Gaied Chortane²

¹Department of Human and Social Sciences, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Said, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia.
²Research Unit Sports Performance, Health & Society, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Said, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia.
³Department of Human and Social Sciences, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Jendouba, Tunisia.

Aim: The objective of this research is to highlight the effectiveness of physical exercise and music therapy in older patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: Patients with a mild level of AD were included in this study, divided into the therapy group (TG; N = 30, aged 68 ± 3.2 years) and the control group (CG; N=30, aged 65 ± 2.6 years). The therapy group was enrolled in an exercise-training program (walking, resistance and balance exercises) combined with musical therapy for 10 weeks (three sessions of 60 minutes per week). The Control group was instructed to follow their daily rhythm of life (e.g., rest, reading) under the same conditions. The intervention program was enrolled under the supervision of; one psychologist; a neurologist; two music therapists, and two physiotherapists, all belonging to the same hospital unit. After 10 weeks of participation in the combined program, cognitive parameters were improved in the therapy group measured with the Behavior Pathology in Alzheimer Disease (BEHAVE-AD), (p < 0.05) for activity disturbance, diurnal rhythm disturbances, anxieties and phobias, affective disturbance. The percentage range of improvements is 1.07% to 2.96%. Results: Our results demonstrate that physical exercise combined with music therapy improves cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Conclusions: Physical exercise and music therapy are beneficial combined treatments for improving life quality in older patients. This approach may be useful to help patients with a mild level of Alzheimer’s disease improve their behavioral and psychological parameters.

Alzheimer’s Disease, Aged Patients, Physical Exercise, Music Therapy, Cognitive Function

Chortane, O. , Amar, I. , Zghibi, M. , Dhaouadi, Y. , Hamaidi, J. , Magtouf, E. , Khalifa, R. and Chortane, S. (2023) Effects of Physical Exercise and Music Therapy on Cognitive Aspects in Tunisian Patients with Mild Alzheimer’s Type Dementia. World Journal of Neuroscience, 13, 134-150. doi: 10.4236/wjns.2023.133009.