Evaluation of the Relationship Between Musculoskeletal Problems and Cognitive Disorders in Alzheimer's Patients

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate musculoskeletal problems and cognitive disorders that may be seen in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to determine the interaction between these problems. Material and Methods: Twenty-five individuals diagnosed with AD by a neurologist were included in the study. The participants' demographic data was recorded, a posture analysis was performed, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel Index (BI), and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) were applied. Results: Posture analyses revealed anterior head tilt in 80%, shoulder protraction in 76%, collapsed chest type in 8%, increased thoracic kyphosis in 84%, genu varum in 12%, and hallux valgus in 32%. There was a significant correlation between the MMSE results of the individuals and the results of BI and GDS (p=0.024 and p=0.002). In addition, it was determined that the dependency levels in BI increased significantly as the stages of the GDS increased (p=0.008). At the same time, there was no significant relationship between the education status and the stages of the GDS. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal disorders are likely to develop in individuals with AD experiencing dementia and complete functional dependence. Therefore, promoting physiotherapy practices along with medical treatment is important to improve functional dependence and cognitive impairment.

Keywords

• Alzheimer
• Functional Status
• Mental Health
• Posture

Alzheimer Hastalarında Kas İskelet Problemleri ve Kognitif Bozukluklar Arasındaki İlişkinin Değerlendirilmesi

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, Alzheimer hastalığı (AH) olan bireylerde görülebilecek kas-iskelet sistemi sorunları ile bilişsel bozuklukları değerlendirmek ve bu sorunlar arasındaki etkileşimi belirlemektir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya nöroloji doktoru tarafından AH tanısı konulan toplam 25 birey dahil edilmiştir. Katılımcıların demografik verileri kaydedilmiş, postür analizi yapılmış ve Standardize Mini Mental Test (SMMT), Barthel İndeksi (Bİ) ve Global Yıkım Ölçeği (GYÖ) uygulanmıştır. Bulgular: Postür analizi sonuçlarında; %80’ninde başın anterior tilti, %76’sında omuz protraksiyonu, %8’inde çökük göğüs tipi varlığı, %84’ünde torakal kifozda artış olduğu, %12’inde genu varum varlığı ve %32’sinde halluks valgus varlığı tespit edildi. Bireylerin SMMT sonuçları ile Bİ ve GYÖ sonuçları arasında anlamlı ilişki olduğu görüldü (p=0.024 ve p=0.002). Ayrıca GYÖ evreleri arttıkça Bİ’deki bağımlılık düzeylerinin anlamlı olarak arttığı tespit edilirken (p=0.008) eğitim düzeyleri ile GYÖ evreleri arasında anlamlı bir ilişki olmadığı tespit edildi. Sonuç: Demans ve tam fonksiyonel bağımlılık yaşayan AH'li bireylerde kas-iskelet sistemi bozukluklarının gelişmesi muhtemeldir. Bu nedenle, tıbbi tedavi ile birlikte fizyoterapi uygulamalarının teşvik edilmesi, fonksiyonel bağımlılığı ve bilişsel bozukluğu iyileştirmek için önemlidir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Alzheimer
• Fonksiyonel Durum
• Ruh Sağlığı
• Postür

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