Repercussões do comprometimento cognitivo e da disfunção executiva na funcionalidade de idosos com Doença de Alzheimer

Abstract

Introduction: population ageing leads to a significant raise of prevalence of chronic and disabling diseases, affecting and reflecting into the independence and autonomy of individuals. Aim: Understand the reflexions of cognitive commitment and executive dysfunction in individuals suffering from Alzheimer. Methodology: A critical review of the literature was executed. The research was carried out between 1990 and 2000 by means of Lilacs and Medline electronic data base search, employing key-words as for instance “executive dysfunction”, “dementia”, “daily activities”, “Alzheimer’s disease” and “executive function”. Results: The executive dysfunction was closely associated with a minor capacity of performing AIVD. The individuals suffering from the Alzheimer disease demonstrated worse functional performance in AVD when compared to the other groups. The scores presented in the assessment of executive and cognitive functions were influenced by the severity of dementia. Conclusions: There are only a few studies committed in assessing the reflections of cognitive deficits and the endangerment of executive functions into the functional performance of elderly with dementia. More methodologically qualified studies focusing on occupational performance are necessary to produce more cautious analyses. The knowledge concerning the loss of functional ability in daily activities and its relation with cognition and executive functions become fundamental so one can carry out punctual interventions.