Karin Orbes from Bayreuth: With Nordic Walking against Alzheimer's!

Karin Orbes from Bayreuth: With Nordic Walking against Alzheimer's!

in the picturesque Bayreuth, the committed Karin Orbes is passionate about people with Alzheimer's, and at an age at which many would retire. Instead, the 67-year-old stays active and follows every morning at 6 a.m. in the Nordic Walking of her daily round-in her striking red sports outfit with suitable sticks.

The route leads you from the Hussengut via Stöckig in Bindlach back to the starting point and takes about 45 minutes. "In winter I start an hour later so that I can get back safely when it is light," reveals Orbes. Their tireless efforts not only have enriched her own life, but could also benefit other Alzheimer's patients, reports the Kurier .

The meaning of movement

Studies show that physical inactivity is an important risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's and other cardiovascular diseases. A promising non-drug intervention is Nordic Walking, a form of aerobic training that particularly benefits seniors. A recently carried out pilot project with 30 Alzheimer's patients shows that Nordic walking can cause significant improvements in cognitive functions in mild to moderate forms of disease. The participants who have got to know showed progress in various cognitive areas, explains PubMed .

In the study, participants were divided into two groups. While a group received therapy measures for reality therapy, music therapy and motor rehabilitation, the second group was also offered Nordic walking twice a week. The successes were clear, especially in the areas of visual-patical thinking, verbal memory and attention capacity.

innovation in Alzheimer's research

Another exciting area in Alzheimer's research is the use of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques such as transcranial DC stimulation (TDCS). This method shows promising results in the improvement of cognitive functions in the early stages of the disease. In other experiments, treatment with focused ultrasound ensured improvements in cognitive dysfunction and memory processes. All of these approaches that are documented by PMC could one day influence the course of Alzheimer's.

The comprehensive consideration of such progress gives hope that the everyday activity of people like Karin Orbes also plays a valuable role. Your personal commitment, paired with the scientific knowledge, shows that movement can promote not only the physical but also mental health - a real profit for society.