Bike Labyrinth: Cognitive and Physical Benefits for Individuals with Dementia or Cognitive Decline
At Anatomical Concepts we love exercise - it is good for everyone. It can help us overcome aspects of physical disability and is good for our emotional and cognitive well being. Who wants to reduce the chances of us needing healthcare in future?
It seems that many of us are too busy or lack motivation to exercise regularly and this is especially true of older adults. Even fit older adults can be greatly impacted by a period of bed rest. Changes in muscle strength, loss of bone density, reduced cardiovascular function and joint stiffness can occur even after relatively short periods of bed rest. Extended periods of bed rest can lead to feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety, which may further impact an individual's motivation and ability to engage in physical activity and maintain mobility.
Bike Labyrinth is an innovative product offering interactive bicycle tours for individuals who are now unable to exercise outdoors, such as those who are elderly, frail, or experiencing dementia. The effect is very engaging, interactive, simple to use and loved by users. Bike Labyrinth can incorporate a user’s or care home’s exisitng bike and utilise a HD television.
The Bike Labyrinth can even be used on an exercise bike designed to be used in bed such as the MOTOmed Layson.
There has been much hype around the subject of virtual reality environments and typically these are envisaged as requiring a headset and other specialist equipment. Bike Labyrinth avoids using a bulky headset and instead generates the virtual cycle tour environment with high quality video generated by a Console and allows the user to interact with the tour - perhaps choosing different routes or learning details of the buildings or landscape.
The indoor, virtual environment provides both physical exercise and cognitive stimulation for users.
Research suggests that there are potential benefits of using Bike Labyrinth for individuals with dementia or cognitive decline and certainly allows for greater opportunities to exercise whether the user is living at home, or in care home situations.
For example, dementia is a progressive neurological disorder, characterised by a decline in cognitive abilities, which significantly impacts daily functioning. Cognitive decline is a broad term referring to the gradual reduction of cognitive abilities over time. Interventions that combine physical and cognitive stimulation have shown promising results in maintaining cognitive function and improving the quality of life for people with dementia or cognitive decline.
Let’s review the UK situation.
The ageing UK population and exercise
The United Kingdom, in common with many European nations, is experiencing a shift in its age profile, and has an increasingly ageing population.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the proportion of individuals aged 65 and over in the UK is expected to rise from 18% in 2016 to nearly 25% by 2046. Concurrently, there is growing concern about the health and well-being of this older population, particularly regarding participation in regular exercise and cognitive health.
Studies indicate that only about 46% of adults aged 65-74 and a mere 31% of adults aged 75 and over in the UK engage in the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. This lack of regular physical activity puts older adults at a higher risk of developing health issues, including cognitive decline and dementia.
Dementia is a significant public health concern in the UK, with the Alzheimer's Society reporting that there are approximately 850,000 people living with dementia in the country, a number that is projected to increase to over 1 million by 2025 and 1.6 million by 2040.
Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function, which can lead to decreased mobility, increased risk of falls, and a decline in overall quality of life. Lack of exercise is a significant contributing factor to the development and progression of sarcopenia.
In the UK, the prevalence of sarcopenia varies depending on the population and the diagnostic criteria used. According to a study published in the journal Age and Ageing in 2014, the prevalence of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults was estimated to be 5.3% in women and 11.0% in men aged 65 years and over. The prevalence increased significantly with age, reaching up to 18.7% in women and 23.6% in men aged 85 years and over. These numbers are only estimates and should be taken with caution, as the actual incidence of sarcopenia may vary.
Addressing the need for regular exercise and cognitive stimulation among the ageing population is vital to reduce the risk of physical and cognitive decline and improve the overall quality of life for older adults in the UK.
Bike Labyrinth
Bike Labyrinth was designed to allow people who can no longer cycle outdoors to enjoy many of the same benefits via a high-quality, sensory-enhanced, virtual environment. More than 600 routes are available and users can select their chosen route and enjoy an interactive tour at will. Typically a large HD Television is linked to any exercise bike equipped with the Bike Labyrinth sensor and console.
By leveraging the benefits of exergaming, users of Bike Labyrinth may experience improvements in physical health, cognitive performance, and overall quality of life. The soundscape and methods of interaction can be tuned to suit the perferences of the user.
We can’t easily depict the quality of the experience with the above video of some UK scenes.
Imagine that you are cycling these streets. If you pedal faster, the scenery moves by faster as you would expect. If you stop pedalling the scene stops too. You can choose to enjoy the soundscape or turn this off if it is a distraction. As you cycle along you will find that at some points you can decide to turn left or right and you will learn the names of buildings that glide by. You can even choose to play a game! Bike Labyrinth is designed to be engaging - just like a game it primes your imagination and provides the inspiration to keep pedalling and exercise.
Exergaming
Exergaming, or the integration of physical activity with video game technology, has emerged as a promising approach to promoting exercise and overall well-being, particularly among older adults.
Research has demonstrated the potential value of exergaming in enhancing physical fitness, cognitive function, and social engagement. A study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity found that exergaming can improve balance, gait, and cognition in older adults, while another study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease highlighted the positive impact of exergaming on cognitive function in seniors with mild cognitive impairment. Furthermore, exergaming has been shown to increase motivation and adherence to exercise programs, as the interactive and engaging nature of the games can make physical activity more enjoyable and less monotonous.
In the context of Bike Labyrinth, the combination of cycling and virtual environments offers an effective exergaming experience that encourages regular exercise, stimulates cognitive function, and provides a socially engaging platform for older adults. Drilling down into more detail:-
Physical Benefits:
Improved cardiovascular health: Regular exercise, such as cycling, has been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness and overall physical health, which can potentially slow the progression of dementia and cognitive decline.
Enhanced balance and coordination: Cycling on Bike Labyrinth may help improve users' balance, coordination, and muscle strength, which are essential for maintaining mobility and independence.
Cognitive Benefits:
Increased cognitive stimulation: Bike Labyrinth's virtual environments offer a multisensory experience that can help stimulate cognitive function, improve attention, and engage memory recall.
Social interaction: Bike Labyrinth can be used in group settings, promoting socialization and interaction, which are crucial for maintaining mental health and reducing feelings of isolation.
Psychological Benefits:
Reduced stress and anxiety: Engaging in physical activity, such as cycling, can help alleviate stress and anxiety, which are common in people with dementia or cognitive decline.
Improved mood and overall well-being: Regular exercise has been associated with improved mood and increased feelings of well-being, which can contribute to a better quality of life.
Conclusion:
Bike Labyrinth provides a unique combination of physical and cognitive stimulation for individuals with dementia or cognitive decline - or simply those older citizens that need exercise but lack the desire to pursue it.
The virtual environment offers a safe and engaging way for users to experience the benefits of physical activity while promoting cognitive engagement, social interaction, and overall well-being. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of Bike Labyrinth on cognitive function and the progression of dementia. However, the product shows promise as an effective intervention for supporting individuals with dementia or cognitive decline. At the very least users enjoy the benefits of exercise and participation.
If you wish to learn more about Bike Labyrinth and perhaps request a demonstration please contact us.
References
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity: Schoene, D., Lord, S. R., Delbaere, K., Severino, C., Davies, T. A., & Smith, S. T. (2013). A randomized controlled pilot study of home-based step training in older people using videogame technology. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 21(2), 167-178.
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease: Anderson-Hanley, C., Arciero, P. J., Brickman, A. M., Nimon, J. P., Okuma, N., Westen, S. C., ... & Zimmerman, E. A. (2012). Exergaming and older adult cognition: a cluster randomized clinical trial. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 28(2), 337-346.
Patel, H. P., Syddall, H. E., Jameson, K., Robinson, S., Denison, H., Roberts, H. C., ... & Cooper, C. (2014). Prevalence of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older people in the UK using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) definition: findings from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study (HCS). Age and Ageing, 43(3), 378-384.