The impact of a physical activity self-management program on the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in residential aged care

The behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in residential aged care can present as increased agitation, aggression (shouting or screaming, verbal abuse, and sometimes physical abuse), delusions (unusual beliefs not based on reality), and hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that do not exist). Evidence suggests exercise (physical activity) is beneficial in reducing some BPSD, especially depressed mood, agitation, and wandering, and may also improve night-time sleep (de Souto-Barreto 2015; Thuné-Boyle, 2012). In Australia, in residential aged care, access to physical activity rehabilitation programs is rare. Previous studies have indicated that including a physical activity exercise self-management program is feasible, safe and effective for rehabilitation patients with cognitive impairment (Brusco 2022), and that providing a self-management physical activity exercise program to resident in aged care could be effective in increasing physical activity / exercise, by increasing the rehabilitation reach (Brusco 2024). This pre-post observational study aims to examine the impact of a physical activity self-management program on the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in residential aged care.