ADAPTIVE Exercise: Movement and Thought
Arly Caryn Ross
The goal of this thesis project is to document a multi-sensory exercise program that stimulates the senses by combining physical and cognitive stimuli with the use of technology as well as supervised care.
http://thesis.arlyross.com
Alzheimer’s disease is an epidemic in this nation. The goal of this thesis project is to document a multi-sensory exercise program that stimulates the senses by combining physical and cognitive stimuli with the use of technology as well as supervised care.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that causes loss of memory and mental abilities, eventually leading to dementia and finally death. It is NOT a normal part of aging. It affects a person’s ability to learn, reason, remember and communicate. There is no cure and there is no single cause. It gets progressively worse over time, affecting a person’s total lifestyle.
In the brain, there are several billion nerve cells (neurons). Communication networks are formed connecting each of these nerve cells. Different cells in the brain are specialized to nourish and support other cells, including ones that are involved with thinking, learning and memory. Other cells tell our muscles when and how to move. In order to function properly, these cells need nourishment and oxygen. Alzheimer’s disease prevents these cells from getting the oxygen and nourishment that it needs to function. As damage spreads, the cells can no longer do their jobs and eventually die, causing the patient to eventually die as basic functions i.e. swallowing, breathing,cease.
We have no debates as to whether or not there are physical and mental benefits of exercise. Scientific evidence advises us that we can dramatically increase the probability of staying fit both mentally and physically throughout our lives by exercise. This translates directly to a better quality of life.
More so, “Use it or lose it” very much applies to our bodies as well as our brains.
There is good evidence that physical exercise, good nutrition, social connections and mental stimulation all play parts in keeping our bodies and brains healthy and sharp.
I am hoping that physical activity will enrich the mental health and quality of life for elderly people with Alzheimer’s, as well as hopefully slow the progress for, in particular, my father, who is in the late stages of the disease.
Background
1. Heyn, Patricia, PHD The effect of a multisensory exercise program on engagement, behavior, and selected physiological indexes in persons with dementia American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®, Vol. 18, No. 4, 247-251 (2003) DOI:10.1177/153331750301800409
2. Happy Neuron’s Home page http://play.happy-neuron.com/games/
3. Alzheimer’s Association –New York Chapter http://www.alznyc.org/
4. Regular Exercise Reduces Dementia Risk
Kenneth W Lin. American Family Physician. Leawood: Aug 1, 2006. Vol. 74, Iss. 3; p. 491 (2 pages)
5. The Effect of Background Stimulative Music on Behavior in Alzheimer's Patients
Naomi Ziv; Amit Granot; Sharon Hai; Ayelet Dassa; Iris Haimov
Journal of Music Therapy; Winter 2007; 44, 4; ProQuest Medical Library
pg. 329
Audience
My father. Mid to late stage Alzheimer's patients.
User Scenario
If my father moves the colored item that he is holding into the target range it will cause an interesting reward, i.e. music or video. The target range will be on the top of the mapped screen because it will cause him to lift his arms, exercising and gently stretching his upper extremities as well as attempting to activate and promote some cognitive response. As he is mentally impaired, his implementation of this will have to be monitored and assisted by his home care assistant.
Implementation
I will be using video tracking via processing on the computer to follow a item that is being held. I will set up a map on the computer program with targets. If the item being held reaches the target a reward (i.e) music, video, etc... will ensue.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that causes loss of memory and mental abilities, eventually leading to dementia and finally death. It is NOT a normal part of aging. It affects a person’s ability to learn, reason, remember and communicate. There is no cure and there is no single cause. It gets progressively worse over time, affecting a person’s total lifestyle.
In the brain, there are several billion nerve cells (neurons). Communication networks are formed connecting each of these nerve cells. Different cells in the brain are specialized to nourish and support other cells, including ones that are involved with thinking, learning and memory. Other cells tell our muscles when and how to move. In order to function properly, these cells need nourishment and oxygen. Alzheimer’s disease prevents these cells from getting the oxygen and nourishment that it needs to function. As damage spreads, the cells can no longer do their jobs and eventually die, causing the patient to eventually die as basic functions i.e. swallowing, breathing,cease.
We have no debates as to whether or not there are physical and mental benefits of exercise. Scientific evidence advises us that we can dramatically increase the probability of staying fit both mentally and physically throughout our lives by exercise. This translates directly to a better quality of life.
More so, “Use it or lose it” very much applies to our bodies as well as our brains.
There is good evidence that physical exercise, good nutrition, social connections and mental stimulation all play parts in keeping our bodies and brains healthy and sharp.
I am hoping that physical activity will enrich the mental health and quality of life for elderly people with Alzheimer’s, as well as hopefully slow the progress for, in particular, my father, who is in the late stages of the disease.
Background
1. Heyn, Patricia, PHD The effect of a multisensory exercise program on engagement, behavior, and selected physiological indexes in persons with dementia American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®, Vol. 18, No. 4, 247-251 (2003) DOI:10.1177/153331750301800409
2. Happy Neuron’s Home page http://play.happy-neuron.com/games/
3. Alzheimer’s Association –New York Chapter http://www.alznyc.org/
4. Regular Exercise Reduces Dementia Risk
Kenneth W Lin. American Family Physician. Leawood: Aug 1, 2006. Vol. 74, Iss. 3; p. 491 (2 pages)
5. The Effect of Background Stimulative Music on Behavior in Alzheimer's Patients
Naomi Ziv; Amit Granot; Sharon Hai; Ayelet Dassa; Iris Haimov
Journal of Music Therapy; Winter 2007; 44, 4; ProQuest Medical Library
pg. 329
Audience
My father. Mid to late stage Alzheimer's patients.
User Scenario
If my father moves the colored item that he is holding into the target range it will cause an interesting reward, i.e. music or video. The target range will be on the top of the mapped screen because it will cause him to lift his arms, exercising and gently stretching his upper extremities as well as attempting to activate and promote some cognitive response. As he is mentally impaired, his implementation of this will have to be monitored and assisted by his home care assistant.
Implementation
I will be using video tracking via processing on the computer to follow a item that is being held. I will set up a map on the computer program with targets. If the item being held reaches the target a reward (i.e) music, video, etc... will ensue.