The quest for synergy between physical exercise and cognitive stimulation via exergaming in people with dementia: a randomized controlled trial

Table 2 Training characteristics of the study population

Variable	Exergame group (n = 38)	Aerobic group (n = 38)	Control group (n = 39)
Adherence rate (%), mean (SD)	87.3 (13.6)*	81.1 (13.7)*	85.4 (12.9)
Duration training session (min), mean (SD)	32.6 (6.0)	30.5 (8.7)	30^a
Training load (W), mean (SD)	53.7 (34.9)	51.2 (27.7)	NA
Resting heart rate (beats/min), mean (SD)	79.4 (12.1)	77.9 (10.4)	NA
Heart rate during training (beats/min), mean (SD)	105.5 (14.8)	103.9 (14.3)	NA
Heart rate difference (beats/min), mean (SD)	26.1 (15.1)	26.0 (13.8)	NA
Training intensity^b (% of maximal heart rate), mean (SD)	41.8 (13.3)	43.5 (18.2)	NA
Rate of perceived exertion during training,^c mean (SD)	13.1 (1.2)	12.8 (1.9)	NA
Rating of training sessions^d (scale 1–5), Median (interquartile range)	5.0 (4.0–5.0)	5.0 (4.0–5.0)	5.0 (4.0–5.0)
Training level after 6 weeks^d (scale 1–7), Median (interquartile range)	5.0 (4.3–5.8)	NA	NA
Training level after 12 weeks^d (scale 1–7), Median (interquartile range)	5.5 (5.0–6.0)	NA	NA

Differences between groups tested with one-way analysis of variance (three groups) or independent-sample t test (two groups), if data were normally distributed. For post-hoc comparisons, Tukey honest significant difference test was performed. If data was not normally distributed, Kruskall Wallis test was performed.
NA not applicable, SD standard deviation
^aAll training sessions lasted for 30 min, time has not been recorded
^bTraining intensity only calculated for participants who do not use beta-blockers (n = 21 and n = 20 in the exergame group and the aerobic group respectively)
^cTheoretical range 6–20, where 6 indicates lowest intensity level and score 20 indicates highest intensity level
^dData not normally distributed, therefore presented as median (interquartile range)
*A trend was found towards higher adherence in the exergame group compared to the aerobic group (mean difference (95% confidence interval) 6.85 (− 0.09 to 13.79), p = 0.053)