INTRODUCTION: The neurodegenerative disorders represent serious clinical conditions, causing neuropsychiatric decline. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders in subjects with dementia, with respect to their locomotion (independent versus dependent ones) and to the caregivers' distress and sleep quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four subjects participated in this study: ten independent locomotion patients and seven dependent ones (using wheelchair); ten carers of the independent locomotion patients and seven related to those that use wheelchairs. The subjects were recruited in the Clinic of Neurosciences and Mental Health of the Elderly of the State University of Campinas. The CAMCOG was used to evaluate patients' cognitive function; in order to quantify the frequency, intensity, emotional and physical distress of caregivers, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory was applied. Changes in the sleep were evaluated by means of Mini-Sleep Questionnaire. For comparisons of scores between the instruments, the Mann Whitney U and the Spearman coefficients index were applied, with a significant level of 5%. RESULTS: There were differences among irritability disorders (p < 0.05) as well as the total score of frequency and intensity of neuropsychiatric disorders (p < 0.01). Still, there were differences between the caregivers groups, in respect to sleep disorders (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Independent locomotion patients presented a lower prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders, compared to the dependent ones. Findings suggest that motion does not influence the level of physical and emotional exhaustion of the caregiver. Nevertheless, it can be considered a relevant variable for sleep quality.
Dementia; Locomotion; Neuropsychiatric disturbs; Sleep disorders
