Effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs on treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review

Abstract Background Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive functions, such as memory, learning and language deficits, which tend to be aggravated by the progression of the disease. Multidisciplinary actions in the patient with AD aim to positively interfere in the health-disease process, through an integral approach to individuals and families, intervening with actions focused on the reality in which they are inserted. Objective Conduct a systematic review of the literature investigating the effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs on patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Method A searches was conducted in the Medline, LILACS, Scielo, PEDro, and CINAHL databases with no restriction regarding language and year of publication. The articles were evaluated by title, abstract, and full text and, finally selected according to eligibility by two independent authors. The methodological quality of the experimental studies was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Results Five studies of moderate methodological quality were included in the present systematic review. Results showed that multidisciplinary programs may be effective in the treatment of AD patients, with significant improvements mainly in neuropsychiatric symptoms, depression, and quality of life. For the other outcome measures investigated, because few studies with positive effects (stress level, anxiety, autonomy, and activity) or conflicting results (cognition) were found, it was not possible to determine the effectiveness of this intervention. Conclusion This systematic review has shown that multidisciplinary programs can be effective in the treatment of patients with AD, with significant improvements mainly in neuropsychiatric symptoms, depression, and quality of life; however, results regarding cognition, levels of anxiety and stress, autonomy, and performance of activities were neither significant nor conflicting.