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Active lifestyle for older adults with dementia: Wheelchair biking versus other recreational therapy interventions

Linda Buettner, PhD, LRT, CTRS†, Suzanne Fitzsimmons, MSN, GNP, ARNP, Jeffrey D. Labban, MS, PhD, Beth E. Barba, PhD, RN, FAGHE, FAAN

Abstract


This article provides a secondary analysis of data collected from a recreation therapy intervention trial for older adults with dementia and neuropsychiatric symptoms. In a subsample of 54 individuals who received wheelchair (WC) biking on some days and other recreation therapy interventions on other days, a comparison of engagement levels, time engaged, and encouragement needed was completed. The analysis showed that WC biking provided significantly more time on task and significantly higher levels of engagement, and less encouragement was needed. Collecting recreation therapy session engagement data was found to be a simple and useful method of comparing effectiveness of recreation therapy interventions.

Keywords


recreation therapy intervention, older adults with dementia, long-term care, engagement, wheelchair biking

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2013.0038

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