An Australian first study will test whether physical activity can improve the memory and wellbeing of sufferers of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

The study will be coordinated by the University of Melbourne, the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), the University of Western Australia, the University of Queensland, and supported by Alzheimer’s Australia.

Professor Nicola Lautenschlager, Chair of Old Age Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne and Director of St Vincent’s Aged Psychiatry Service who is leading the study says “the evidence is mounting that regular exercise is good for brain function, even in older age.”

The new study “Fitness for the Ageing Brain Study II (FABS II) will target people with AD living at home who have a family a member or friend who would be happy to join the study as well.

“In addition to cognitive abilities, we are also interested whether physical activity could improve quality of life and general wellbeing not only for the patient, but also for the carer.”

The program prescribes a range of physical activity for up to 150 minutes per week. Participants will have personalized training programs and be assessed on their activity using a pedometer, their ability to walk distances, how quickly they can get out a chair, and their ability to grip objects

The main hypothesis of this study is that participants with mild to moderate AD who participate in 24 weeks of physical activity will experience significantly less memory loss by the end of the program than participants who undertook usual exercise activity.

“Whilst promising progress has been made in drug development research, there is an urgent need to progress research on non-pharmacological treatment for AD and one of the most promising strategies is physical activity,” Professor Lautenschlager says.

People living at home, with mild to moderate AD, and their carers are needed to participate in this study in the metropolitan areas of Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

To participate contact Alzheimer’s Australia on 1300 MY MIND or 1300 69 64 63. The study is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.