Table 2 Characteristics of articles comprising physical exercise programs

D’Amico [28] UK, 2016

RCT

CEA

CUA

C: 12 weeks

H: 12 weeks

Community-dwelling persons with a clinical diagnosis of dementia according to ICD-10 and one or more significant BPSD symptoms defined by the NPI as well as a caregiver willing to participate in the exercise training

▪ 131 randomized dyads

▪ 113 completed (89%)

▪ economic analysis subsample 52 dyads

IG: Dyadic exercise regimen (individually tailored walking program, for 20–30 min at least five times per week for 12 weeks, in the first 6 weeks the intervention was facilitated by a registered exercise professional)

CG: CAU

Primary

▪ NPI

Secondary

▪ ZBI

▪ GHQ

▪ DEMQOL-Proxy

▪ QALY

CSRI completed by the caregiver; intervention cost

(I) Health & social care perspective

(II) Societal perspective

Potentially cost-effective considering behavioral and psychological symptoms, not cost-effective considering QALY gains.

Mean cost difference between the groups were not significantly different over 12 weeks. This holds for both perspectives.

From the societal perspective, the ICER was £421 per incremental difference in NPI score.

Davis [33] Canada, 2013

RCT

CEA

C: 6 months

H: 6 months

Community dwelling women aged 70 to 80 years; MMSE score ≥ 24; Subjective memory complaints, scored ≥6/8 on the Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale

▪ 86 randomized participants

Three-trial arms:

IG: Resistance training

IG: Aerobic training

CG: Balance and toning

▪ Executive cognitive function of selective attention and conflict resolution - Stroop test

Questionnaire to assess total healthcare resource utilization completed by the PwMCI

Health care system perspective

At 6 months resistance training and aerobic training yielded in health care cost savings when compared to controls doing balance and toning exercises.

Pitkälä [20]

Finland, 2013

RCT

CEA

C: 24 months

H: 12 months

Community-dwelling persons with a clinical AD diagnosis and their spousal caregivers; 96% were receiving AD medication

▪ 210 randomized dyads

▪ Cost data 24 months: n = 210

▪ Outcome assessed at 12 months: n = 161

Three-trial arms:

IG: 1-year group-based exercise provided during visits to day care centers twice a week (1 h training)

IG: 1-year tailored home-based exercise for 1 h twice a week administered by physiotherapists

CG: CAU and subjects received oral and written advice on nutrition and exercise methods

▪ Patients physical functioning: FIM

▪ Mobility: SPPB

Data on use and cost of health and social services were retrieved from central registries and medical records of both patients and caregivers. Cost of patients and caregivers were summed.

Health and social care perspective (not explicitly stated)

Deterioration in patient’s physical functioning was delayed with the tailored home-based exercise program.

Both intervention groups showed a significant reduction in the number of falls. The home-based exercise was found to be administered without increasing the total health and social service costs. The group exercise may even decrease the use and costs of health and social services.