Brain and Body Fitness Group for Those With Dementia and Their Caregivers Through Community Partnership: A Program Evaluation

Lindsey J. G. Creapeau, EdD; Norah M. M. Airth-Kindree, DNP; Jeffrey A. Goodman, PhD

WMJ. 2025;124(3):265-269.

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ABSTRACT

Introduction: The growing prevalence of dementia calls for nonpharmacological interventions to reduce negative quality of life effects for those living with dementia and their caregivers. Brain and Body Fitness, a community-based collaborative group program, engages people living with dementia and their caregivers through a combination of physical, cognitive, and socialization strategies, to maximize health benefits for sustained functioning.

Methods: Using an adapted form of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Applied Cognition tool, ex post facto data were collected from both participants affected with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their caregivers during 12 biweekly sessions of the Brain and Body Fitness program conducted from 2017 through 2021.

Results: Brain and Body Fitness program participants were affected by 4 quality of life indicators: anxiety, sleep, fatigue, and depression. Data reveal significant reductions in anxiety symptoms and significant improvements in fatigue for affected participants. Anecdotally, the program demonstrates nonsignificant trends of overall mood improvement.

Conclusions: Given the positive outcomes, communities may consider adopting a similar program to provide additional support for participants.

Author Affiliations: Department of Management and Marketing, University of Wisconsin (UW)–Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin (Creapeau); Department of Nursing, UW–Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin (Airth-Kindree); Department of Psychology, UW–Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin (Goodman).
Corresponding Author: Lindsey J. G. Creapeau, EdD, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, College of Business, Department of Management and Marketing, 105 Garfield Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54702; email creapelj@uwec.edu; ORCID ID 0000-0003-1315-6189
Financial Disclosures: None declared.
Funding/Support: Undergraduate student research assistant and faculty support were funded from an internal grant through the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. The United Way of the Chippewa Valley, YMCA of the Chippewa Valley, and the ADRC of Eau Claire County provided funding and resources to support the Brain and Body Fitness program.
Acknowledgements: The UW–Eau Claire faculty researchers extend gratitude and thanks to Laurie Pettis, NBC-HWC, CIC, and Pete Fasching of the Eau Claire Area YMCA, along with Lisa Wells, MA, of the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Eau Claire County, for their collaborative community efforts in creating and conducting the Brain and Body Fitness program in Eau Claire County and for assisting in this mutual endeavor.

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