Music cued exercises for motor and non-motor signs in people with dementia: protocol for a systematic review

Background: Movement disorders and non-motor problems such as cognitive decline, anxiety, depression and behavioural problems, are common in people with dementia and can progress over time. Exercise coupled with music is a promising form of therapy designed to improve both the motor and non-motor manifestations of this debilitating neurological condition. Objectives: To present a protocol for a systematic review and critical analysis of the literature to answer the following questions: (i) Is music-cued exercise more effective than usual care for the treatment of motor and non-motor symptoms of dementia? (ii) What are the outcomes of music-cued exercise for people living with dementia? Methods: We provide the protocol for a systematic review and critical analysis of the literature using the PRISMA guidelines. Studies shall be reviewed that use music cued exercises aimed at improving the management of physical and non-physical problems associated with dementia. Eligibility criteria will be applied to the title and abstract of each citation as a first step followed by full text screening. Data extraction and quality appraisal are to be performed by two reviewers. Data sources: This protocol documents the comprehensive search strategy to be performed using MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PSYCHINFO, PUBMED, SCOPUS and web of science databases. Science, technology and engineering databases will also be searched. Eligibility criteria: All study designs incorporating data will be included in this review. The following selection criteria shall be applied: • Participants will be people diagnosed with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, of any stage and severity, all ages, any range of co-morbidities, any medications. • Interventions will use rhythmic music with any physical exercise or rehabilitation program. • Outcomes shall include motor impairments such as gait, postural stability and general mobility. Studies considering non-motor signs such as anxiety, depression, behavioural disturbances and cognitive decline will also be included. Results: Evidence will be built from this review regarding the effectiveness of using music-cued exercises to optimise physical abilities and improve non-motor disorders in people with dementia. Conclusions: This protocol paper documents the methods that we shall use for a forthcoming systematic review. The knowledge obtained from the review will provide guidance to people with dementia, caregivers and clinicians by clarifying the strength of the evidence for music-cued movement rehabilitation. </p

Apple iTunes search results.xlsx

This data set provides the app titles retrieved from Apple iTunes as part of our systematic search of the Apple iTunes store, within our mobile app study

Google Play search results.xlsx

This data set provides the app titles retrieved from Google Play as part of our systematic search of the Google Play store, within our mobile app study

Predicting ratings of perceived exertion in Australian football players: Methods for live estimation

The ability of machine learning techniques to predict athlete ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) was investigated in professional Australian football players. RPE is commonly used to quantifying internal training loads and manage injury risk in team sports. Data from global positioning systems, heart-rate monitors, accelerometers and wellness questionnaires were recorded for each training session (n=3398) from 45 professional Australian football players across a full season. A variety of modelling approaches were considered to investigate the ability of objective data to predict RPE. Models were compared using nested cross validation and root mean square error (RMSE) on RPE predictions. A random forest model using player normalised running and heart rate variables provided the most accurate predictions (RMSE ± SD = 0.96 ± 0.08 au). A simplification of the model using only total distance, distance covered at speeds between 18-24 km·h-1, and the product of total distance and mean speed provided similarly accurate predictions (RMSE ± SD = 1.09 ± 0.05 au), suggesting that running distances and speeds are the strongest predictors of RPE in Australian football players. The ability of non-linear machine learning models to accurately predict athlete RPE has applications in live player monitoring and training load planning

Reducing falls after hospital discharge: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial evaluating an individualised multimodal falls education programme for older adults

Introduction: Older adults frequently fall after discharge from hospital. Older people may have low self-perceived risk of falls and poor knowledge about falls prevention. The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of providing tailored falls prevention education in addition to usual care on falls rates in older people after discharge from hospital compared to providing a social intervention in addition to usual care. Methods and analyses: The Back to My Best study is a multisite, single blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment and intention-to-treat analysis, adhering to CONSORT guidelines. Patients (n=390) (aged 60 years or older; score more than 7/10 on the Abbreviated Mental Test Score; discharged to community settings) from aged care rehabilitation wards in three hospitals will be recruited and randomly assigned to one of two groups. Participants allocated to the control group shall receive usual care plus a social visit. Participants allocated to the experimental group shall receive usual care and a falls prevention programme incorporating a video, workbook and individualised follow-up from an expert health professional to foster capability and motivation to engage in falls prevention strategies. The primary outcome is falls rates in the first 6 months after discharge, analysed using negative binomial regression with adjustment for participants length of observation in the study. Secondary outcomes are injurious falls rates, the proportion of people who become fallers, functional status and health-related quality of life. Healthcare resource use will be captured from four sources for 6 months after discharge. The study is powered to detect a 30% relative reduction in the rate of falls (negative binomial incidence ratio 0.70) for a control rate of 0.80 falls per person over 6 months. Ethics and dissemination: Results will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences worldwide. This study is approved by hospital and university Human Research Ethics Committees