Efeitos do treinamento de dupla tarefa na funcionalidade de idosos com a doença de Alzheimer: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the decline of cognitive and motor functions, directly affecting autonomy and functionality in older adults. Therefore, dualtask training (DTT) has been used as a physical therapy intervention that combines motor and cognitive simultaneously, serving as a strategy to retard disease’s complications and maintain function. Objective: To understand the effects of dual-task training on the functionality of older adults with Alzheimer's disease. Methodology: This is a literature review conducted in the SciELO, Pubmed, and PEDro databases, including studies published in the last 20 years. Six articles were included involving elderly individuals over 60 years of age, of both sexes, diagnosed with mild to moderate AD. Results: The findings demonstrated significant improvements in cognitive functions, abstraction, orientation, working memory, attention, muscle strength gains, enhanced functional capacity, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Despite methodological limitations, DTT proved to be an efficient, safe, and low-cost approach to promoting neuroplasticity, independence, and active aging. Conclusion: Dual-task training is an intervention capable of contributing to the maintenance of functionality and quality of life in elderly individuals with Alzheimer's disease.