Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion in the review.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies of physical training to improve motor performance or prevent falls were eligible for inclusion. Amongst a diverse range of physical training interventions (including those contained within multifactorial packages), most of the included studies reported walking exercises and gait training as part of the programme. Different methods of training for muscle strength, balance, flexibility and functional skill were also reported. The interventions were not tailored to the level of cognitive impairment. The duration and frequency of training ranged from 30 to 150 minutes; 2 to 7 days per week, over a period of 2 to 30 weeks.
Participants included in the review
Studies of older persons with cognitive impairment in home-dwelling or institutional care settings were eligible for inclusion. The included studies contained persons with different levels of cognitive impairment, although a large proportion had moderate to severe impairment (as assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination). The participants were predominantly located in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies measuring physical function or the prevention of falls were eligible for inclusion. Gait speed was the most frequently measured outcome. The other outcomes measured were muscle strength, flexibility, motor or functional performance, physical activity levels, or falls or fall-related outcomes. The reliability and validity of the outcome measures were largely unreported.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.