Evaluation of the Relationship Between Musculoskeletal Problems and Cognitive Disorders in Alzheimer's Patients

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate musculoskeletal problems and cognitive disorders that may be seen in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to determine the interaction between these problems. Material and Methods: Twenty-five individuals diagnosed with AD by a neurologist were included in the study. The participants' demographic data was recorded, a posture analysis was performed, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel Index (BI), and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) were applied. Results: Posture analyses revealed anterior head tilt in 80%, shoulder protraction in 76%, collapsed chest type in 8%, increased thoracic kyphosis in 84%, genu varum in 12%, and hallux valgus in 32%. There was a significant correlation between the MMSE results of the individuals and the results of BI and GDS (p=0.024 and p=0.002). In addition, it was determined that the dependency levels in BI increased significantly as the stages of the GDS increased (p=0.008). At the same time, there was no significant relationship between the education status and the stages of the GDS. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal disorders are likely to develop in individuals with AD experiencing dementia and complete functional dependence. Therefore, promoting physiotherapy practices along with medical treatment is important to improve functional dependence and cognitive impairment.