INTRODUCTION: In Germany the number of elderly people is continuously increasing. Therefore it is important to look at different aspects of ageing and discuss possible physiotherapy strategies to influence this process. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of physical activity regarding cognitive functions of elderly people with and without dementia. METHOD: For literature search of randomised controlled studies (RCTs) in PEDro, Cochrane Collaboration Library and PubMed special keywords were used. Afterwards the included studies were evaluated according to the PEDro scale. RESULTS: Ten studies were reviewed based on the PEDro scale and analysed according to relation of physical activity and cognitive functions. Three out of ten studies showed significant improvement regarding cognitive efficiency and physical activity. There was no extraordinarily efficient type of activity, but aerobic activity seems to be the most effective one. Patients without any cognitive restrictions showed first signs of cognitive improvement after two months, patients with a moderate and strong form of dementia showed cognitive improvement after four months at the earliest. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapy can be used as a preventive strategy and is appropriate for treating people who already suffer from forms of dementia. Cognitive effects of ageing can be influenced positively as early as in middle age. Another important therapeutic strategy especially suited for patients with mild and strong forms of dementia is coaching from a physiotherapist. Apparently, this helps to support an active way of life and thus to improve and/or maintain a certain cognitive level.

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