1
|
Yang D, Lee JM, Yang SH, Cho KH, Kim J. Socioeconomic status and physical activity disparities in older adults: Implications for COVID-19 related diabetes cognitive dysfunction. Prev Med Rep 2024; 43:102772. [PMID: 38952432 PMCID: PMC11216005 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aims to investigate the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on variations in physical activity (PA) levels and diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction and impairment amidst disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods With the sample of old population, comprising about 20 thousand from the Fact-Finding Survey on the Status of Senior Citizens (FSSSC) released by Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea in 2017 and 2020, we empirically tested the direct and indirect effects of SES on cognitive dysfunction using structural equation modeling (SEM). Two SEMs provided the comparison on the effects of COVID-19. Results Household income had a negative impact on the likelihood of dementia diagnosis via PA related diabetes during the pandemic (p < 0.001), whereas no effects of household income on dementia diagnosis were found in 2017, due to no direct effect of PA on diabetes confirmation in 2017. The disparity in PA based on SES becomes more prominent among the older individuals during the pandemic (z = 11.7) than 2017 (z = 6.0), emphasizing the significance of PA in mitigating diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction during the pandemic. SES affects access to PA, contributing to diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunctions in the older population with lower SES during the pandemic. Conclusion PA may serve as a preventive measure against diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction and dementia in the older population. Thorough investigation of these mechanisms is imperative to establish the role of PA in preventing diabetes-induced cognitive impairment, particularly among the older population with lower SES.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongwoo Yang
- Center for Regional Development, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jung-Min Lee
- Department of Physical Education, Kyung-Hee University, Yongin, South Korea
| | - Seo-Hyung Yang
- School of Global Sports Studies, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea
| | - Kyung-Hun Cho
- Department of Physical Education, Kyung-Hee University, Yongin, South Korea
| | - Jahyun Kim
- Department of Kinesiology, California State University Bakersfield, Bakersfield, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bodryzlova Y, Moullec G, Kelly MP. The Dynamic Model of Health Assets: a model development. Glob Health Promot 2024:17579759241248624. [PMID: 38822628 DOI: 10.1177/17579759241248624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
AIM Epidemiological research on resistance and resilience can build on models of health developed in health promotion. Nevertheless, these models need to be adjusted to approaches currently employed in epidemiology; namely, included concepts should be easy to operationalize, and links between them should be simple enough to enable statistical modeling. In addition, these models should include both individual and environmental assets. The objective of this study is to consolidate the current knowledge on health assets, adjust them to epidemiological research needs, and propose a new model of health assets for epidemiological studies on health. DESIGN The conceptual paper was conducted according to the guidelines for the model development. METHODS The development of the new model was made from the perspective of salutogenesis - the branch of health promotion studying the origins of health. The analysis of literature on health promotion, public health, and positive psychology was conducted to find the links connecting individual and environmental assets. RESULTS The newly developed Dynamic Model of Health Assets circularly links individual characteristics, actions, environments, and support. Each preceding component of the model contributes to the following one; each component also independently contributes to resistance and resilience. The new model may guide large-scale epidemiological research on resistance and resilience. The model's components are easy to operationalize; the model allows for constructing multilevel models and accounting for the dynamic nature of the relationships between components. It is also generic enough to be adjusted to studying contributors to resistance and resilience to different specific diseases. CONCLUSION The new model can guide epidemiological studies on resistance and resilience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya Bodryzlova
- École de santé publique, Université de Montréal, Canada
- Centre de recherche du CIUSSS du Nord-de-l' Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Gregory Moullec
- École de santé publique, Université de Montréal, Canada
- Centre de recherche du CIUSSS du Nord-de-l' Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Michael P Kelly
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ayton A, Hicks AJ, Spitz G, Ponsford J. The utility of the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire in chronic traumatic brain injury. Clin Neuropsychol 2024; 38:182-201. [PMID: 37035985 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2023.2196441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This study examined the relationship between cognitive reserve measured with the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq) and cognitive and functional outcomes in a chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) cohort compared to a non-TBI cohort. The utility of the CRIq was compared to common proxies of cognitive reserve (premorbid IQ and years of education) in TBI and non-TBI cohorts. Method: Participants were 105 individuals with moderate-severe TBI (10-33 years post injury) and 91 participants without TBI. Cognitive outcome was examined across four cognitive factors; verbal memory, visual ability and memory, executive attention, and episodic memory. Functional outcome was measured using the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended. The CRIq total score and three subscale scores (education, work, leisure) were examined. Results: In the TBI cohort, associations were identified between two CRIq subscales and cognitive factors (CRIq education and verbal memory; CRIq work and executive attention). There were no associations between CRIq leisure and cognitive outcomes, or between CRIq and functional outcome. Model selection statistics suggested premorbid IQ and years of education provided a better fit than the CRIq for the relationship between cognitive reserve with two cognitive factors and functional outcome, with neither model providing an improved fit for the remaining two cognitive factors. This finding was broadly consistent in the non-TBI cohort. Conclusion: Cognitive reserve contributes significantly to long-term clinical outcomes following moderate-severe TBI. The relationship between cognitive reserve and long-term cognitive and functional outcomes following TBI is best characterised with traditional proxies of cognitive reserve, mainly premorbid IQ, rather than the CRIq.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amber Ayton
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amelia J Hicks
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gershon Spitz
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennie Ponsford
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bodryzlova Y, Kim A, Michaud X, André C, Bélanger E, Moullec G. Social class and the risk of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prospective longitudinal studies. Scand J Public Health 2023; 51:1122-1135. [PMID: 35815546 PMCID: PMC10642219 DOI: 10.1177/14034948221110019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between belonging to a disadvantaged socio-economic status or social class and health outcomes has been consistently documented during recent decades. However, a meta-analysis quantifying the association between belonging to a lower social class and the risk of dementia has yet to be performed. In the present work, we sought to summarise the results of prospective, longitudinal studies on this topic. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective, longitudinal studies measuring the association between indicators of social class and the risk of all-cause/Alzheimer's dementia. The search was conducted in four databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science and PsychInfo). Inclusion criteria for this systematic review and meta-analysis were: (a) longitudinal prospective study, (b) aged ⩾60 years at baseline, (c) issued from the general population, (d) no dementia at baseline and (e) mention of social class as exposure. Exclusion criteria were: (a) study of rare dementia types (e.g. frontotemporal dementia), (b) abstract-only papers and (c) articles without full text available. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the risk of bias in individual studies. We calculated the overall pooled relative risk of dementia for different social class indicators, both crude and adjusted for sex, age and the year of the cohort start. RESULTS Out of 4548 screened abstracts, 15 were included in the final analysis (76,561 participants, mean follow-up 6.7 years (2.4-25 years), mean age at baseline 75.1 years (70.6-82.1 years), mean percentage of women 58%). Social class was operationalised as levels of education, occupational class, income level, neighbourhood disadvantage and wealth. Education (relative risk (RR)=2.48; confidence interval (CI) 1.71-3.59) and occupational class (RR=2.09; CI 1.18-3.69) but not income (RR=1.28; CI 0.81-2.04) were significantly associated with the risk of dementia in the adjusted model. Some of the limitations of this study are the inclusion of studies predominantly conducted in high-income countries and the exclusion of social mobility in our analysis. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that there is a significant association between belonging to a social class and the risk of dementia, with education and occupation being the most relevant indicators of social class regarding this risk. Studying the relationship between belonging to a disadvantaged social class and dementia risk might be a fruitful path to diminishing the incidence of dementia over time. However, a narrow operationalisation of social class that only includes education, occupation and income may reduce the potential for such studies to inform social policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexie Kim
- École de santé publique de l’Université de Montréal, Canada
| | - Xavier Michaud
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux Du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Canada
| | - Claire André
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux Du Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Canada
| | | | - Grégory Moullec
- École de santé publique de l’Université de Montréal, Canada
- Centre de recherche CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Ile-de-Montréal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fernández I, García-Mollá A, Oliver A, Sansó N, Tomás JM. The role of social and intellectual activity participation in older adults' cognitive function. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2023; 107:104891. [PMID: 36521393 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2022.104891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND A challenge of the ageing of the population is cognitive performance, given its association to optimal ageing. Documented predictors of cognition have included socio-demographics, education or physical factors. However, the association of social and intellectual activity participation to cognition has been less studied. AIM This study presents a predictive model of cognitive functioning including these alternative factors as well as more seminal ones to explain cognition in old age. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample was composed by 45475 older adult participants in the 8th Wave of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe, that took place between 2019 and 2020. A correlational design was specified to test the effects of age, gender, years of education, physical inactivity, number of chronic diseases, social activity participation and intellectual activity participation on temporal orientation, numeracy, verbal fluency and memory. A completely a priori Structural Equation Model with latent variables was tested. RESULTS The sample had an average of 70 years of age, was well-educated and physically active and engaged in reading. There was a higher proportion of females. The model showed an optimal fit to the data, explaining 8.7%-36.0% of the different cognitive components' variance. Age, years of education and intellectual activity displayed the largest effects across the cognitive domains. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that social and intellectual activity participation are of relative importance to predict cognition in old age, even when considering other well-documented factors affecting older adults' cognitive functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Fernández
- Department of Methodology for the Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Spain.
| | | | - Amparo Oliver
- Department of Methodology for the Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Noemí Sansó
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of the Balearic Islands, Balearic Islands Health Research Institute (IDISBA), Spain
| | - José M Tomás
- Department of Methodology for the Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Madhavan A, Bajaj G, Bajaj PD, D'Souza DF. Cognitive abilities among employed and unemployed middle-aged women – A systematic review. CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2022.101042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|
7
|
Dura-Perez E, Goodman-Casanova JM, Vega-Nuñez A, Guerrero-Pertiñez G, Varela-Moreno E, Garolera M, Quintana M, Cuesta-Vargas AI, Barnestein-Fonseca P, Gómez Sánchez-Lafuente C, Mayoral-Cleries F, Guzman-Parra J. The Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Cognition and Mental Health and Technology Use Among Socially Vulnerable Older People: Retrospective Cohort Study. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e30598. [PMID: 35049505 PMCID: PMC8865547 DOI: 10.2196/30598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background COVID-19 forced the implementation of restrictive measures in Spain, such as lockdown, home confinement, social distancing, and isolation. It is necessary to study whether limited access to basic services and decreased family and social support could have deleterious effects on cognition, quality of life, and mental health in vulnerable older people. Objective This study aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia as the main outcome and the quality of life, perceived health status, and depression as secondary outcomes and to analyze the association of living alone and a change in living arrangements with those outcomes and other variables related with the use of technology and health services. Likewise, this study aims to analyze the association of high and low technophilia with those variables, to explore the access and use of health care and social support services, and, finally, to explore the informative-, cognitive-, entertainment-, and socialization-related uses of information and communications technologies (ICTs) during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods This cohort study was conducted in Málaga (Spain). In total, 151 participants with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, from the SMART4MD (n=75, 49.7%) and TV-AssistDem (n=76, 50.3%) randomized clinical trials, were interviewed by telephone between May 11 and June 26, 2020. All participants had undergone 1-3 assessments (in 6-month intervals) on cognition, quality of life, and mood prior to the COVID-19 breakout. Results The outbreak did not significantly impact the cognition, quality of life, and mood of our study population when making comparisons with baseline assessments prior to the outbreak. Perceived stress was reported as moderate during the outbreak. After correction for multiple comparisons, living alone, a change in living arrangements, and technophilia were not associated with negative mental health outcomes. However, being alone was nominally associated with self-perceived fear and depression, and higher technophilia with better quality of life, less boredom, perceived stress and depression, and also less calmness. Overall, health care and social support service access and utilization were high. The most used ICTs during the COVID-19 outbreak were the television for informative, cognitive, and entertainment-related uses and the smartphone for socialization. Conclusions Our findings show that the first months of the outbreak did not significantly impact the cognition, quality of life, perceived health status, and depression of our study population when making comparisons with baseline assessments prior to the outbreak. Living alone and low technophilia require further research to establish whether they are risk factors of mental health problems during lockdowns in vulnerable populations. Moreover, although ICTs have proven to be useful for informative-, cognitive-, entertainment-, and socialization-related uses during the pandemic, more evidence is needed to support these interventions. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04385797; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04385797 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/26431
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dura-Perez
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain.,Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Jessica Marian Goodman-Casanova
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Amanda Vega-Nuñez
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Gloria Guerrero-Pertiñez
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Esperanza Varela-Moreno
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Maite Garolera
- Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Terrasa, Spain
| | - Maria Quintana
- Brain, Cognition and Behavior: Clinical Research, Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa, Terrasa, Spain
| | - Antonio I Cuesta-Vargas
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Pilar Barnestein-Fonseca
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Carlos Gómez Sánchez-Lafuente
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Fermin Mayoral-Cleries
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Jose Guzman-Parra
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bransby L, Buckley RF, Rosenich E, Franks KH, Yassi N, Maruff P, Pase MP, Lim YY. The relationship between cognitive engagement and better memory in midlife. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 14:e12278. [PMID: 35155733 PMCID: PMC8828986 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Engagement in cognitively stimulating work and activities may slow cognitive decline and dementia. We examined the individual and combined associations of four cognitive engagement indices (educational attainment, occupational complexity, social engagement, and cognitively stimulating leisure activities) with objective and subjective cognition. METHODS Middle-aged adults (n = 1864) enrolled in the Healthy Brain Project completed the Cogstate Brief Battery, the Cognitive Function Instrument, and self-report questionnaires of cognitive engagement. RESULTS Educational attainment and leisure activity engagement were individually associated with memory performance. Participants were classified based on whether they rated highly in zero to four cognitive engagement indices. Compared to participants with no indices, participants with two or more indices performed moderately better on memory. DISCUSSION Results suggest that greater variety of cognitive engagement across different areas of life is related to better memory in midlife. Possible explanation for this relationship may be increased opportunity for enhancing cognitive reserve, but further investigations are required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Bransby
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health School of Psychological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - Rachel F Buckley
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment Department of Neurology Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Emily Rosenich
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health School of Psychological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - Katherine H Franks
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health School of Psychological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Nawaf Yassi
- Department of Medicine and Neurology Melbourne Brain Centre at the Royal Melbourne Hospital University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
- Population Health and Immunity Division The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Paul Maruff
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Parkville Victoria Australia
- Cogstate Ltd. Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Matthew P Pase
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health School of Psychological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Yen Ying Lim
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health School of Psychological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cai Y, Hausdorff JM, Bean JF, Manor B, You T, Leveille SG. Participation in cognitive activities is associated with foot reaction time and gait speed in older adults. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:3191-3198. [PMID: 32415668 PMCID: PMC9514892 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-020-01583-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the evidence of the links between cognition and mobility, participation in cognitive activities may benefit neuromotor performance and mobility in older adults. AIMS To examine the association between participation in cognitive activities and foot reaction time (RT) and gait speed in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS The MOBILIZE Boston Study II (MBSII) re-enrolled 354 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 70 years from the original MBS cohort. Of these, 310 completed the performance testing and we excluded three participants who had Parkinson's disease. Cognitive Activities Scale (CAS) assessed participation in 17 cognitive activities. Simple and Choice foot RT (SRT, CRT, msec) and gait speed (m/s) were measured using a sensored GAITRite® gait mat. RESULTS The average age of the 307 participants was 84 years; 79% were white and 65% were women. The average CAS score was 25.5 ± 11.7, indicating participation in approximately 26 activities per week on average. The average foot SRT was 245 ± 57msec and average CRT was 323 ± 85msec. Usual-paced gait speed was 0.9 ± 0.3 m/s on average. More frequent participation in cognitive activities was associated with shorter SRT (β = - 0.759, p = 0.015) and CRT (β = - 1.125, p = 0.013), and faster gait speed (β = 0.003, p = 0.026), after adjusting for potential confounders. DISCUSSION Participation in cognitively stimulating activities may be beneficial for neuromotor performance and mobility in older adults. CONCLUSIONS Prospective and intervention studies are needed to determine whether participation in cognitive activities may prevent mobility decline over time, and thus reduce fall risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yurun Cai
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD,Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA
| | - Jeffrey M. Hausdorff
- Center for the Study of Movement, Cognition and Mobility, Neurological Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel,Sagol School of Neuroscience and Department of Physical Therapy, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel,Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center; Chicago, II
| | - Jonathan F. Bean
- New England Geriatric, Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Brad Manor
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA
| | - Tongjian You
- Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA
| | - Suzanne G. Leveille
- Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA,Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Strategies and cognitive reserve to preserve lexical production in aging. GeroScience 2021; 43:1725-1765. [PMID: 33970414 PMCID: PMC8492841 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00367-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In the absence of any neuropsychiatric condition, older adults may show declining performance in several cognitive processes and among them, in retrieving and producing words, reflected in slower responses and even reduced accuracy compared to younger adults. To overcome this difficulty, healthy older adults implement compensatory strategies, which are the focus of this paper. We provide a review of mainstream findings on deficient mechanisms and possible neurocognitive strategies used by older adults to overcome the deleterious effects of age on lexical production. Moreover, we present findings on genetic and lifestyle factors that might either be protective or risk factors of cognitive impairment in advanced age. We propose that "aging-modulating factors" (AMF) can be modified, offering prevention opportunities against aging effects. Based on our review and this proposition, we introduce an integrative neurocognitive model of mechanisms and compensatory strategies for lexical production in older adults (entitled Lexical Access and Retrieval in Aging, LARA). The main hypothesis defended in LARA is that cognitive aging evolves heterogeneously and involves complementary domain-general and domain-specific mechanisms, with substantial inter-individual variability, reflected at behavioral, cognitive, and brain levels. Furthermore, we argue that the ability to compensate for the effect of cognitive aging depends on the amount of reserve specific to each individual which is, in turn, modulated by the AMF. Our conclusion is that a variety of mechanisms and compensatory strategies coexist in the same individual to oppose the effect of age. The role of reserve is pivotal for a successful coping with age-related changes and future research should continue to explore the modulating role of AMF.
Collapse
|
11
|
Weaver AN, Jaeggi SM. Activity Engagement and Cognitive Performance Amongst Older Adults. Front Psychol 2021; 12:620867. [PMID: 33776844 PMCID: PMC7990770 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.620867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Research supporting cognitive reserve theory suggests that engaging in a variety of cognitive, social, and physical activities may serve as protective factors against age-related changes in mental functioning, especially if the activities are cognitively engaging. Individuals who participate in a variety of cognitive activities have been found to be more likely to maintain a higher level of cognitive functioning and be less likely to develop dementia. In this study, we explore the relationship between engaging in a variety of activities and cognitive performance amongst 206 healthy older adults between the ages of 65–85. Age and years of education were found to be the most significant predictors of a global composite representing cognitive performance, consistent with previous work linking these variables to age-related changes in cognition and the cognitive reserve. We interpret these results to suggest that age and education are better predictors of global cognitive performance in older adults than self-reported activity engagement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria N Weaver
- School of Education, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Susanne M Jaeggi
- School of Education, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Guerrero Barragán A, Lucumí D, Lawlor B. Association of Leisure Activities With Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Older Adults in Colombia: A SABE-Based Study. Front Neurol 2021; 12:629251. [PMID: 33732207 PMCID: PMC7956952 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.629251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Observational and interventional studies suggest that participation in leisure activities may help protect against cognitive decline in older people. This study aimed to examine the association between participation in leisure activities and cognitive impairment in older adults in Colombia. Data for this study were derived from the Colombian National Survey of Aging (SABE 2015), a cross-sectional survey with a sample size of 23,694 older adults representing the total population (mean age, 70.8 years; 57.3% females). Cognitive impairment was classified as cognitive impairment without dementia (CIWD) and dementia, according to the revised version of the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination and the Lawton and Brody functional scale. Leisure activities were evaluated using six items of a questionnaire. Sex-stratified multinomial regression models were used to analyze the association of leisure activities with CIWD and dementia after adjusting for educational attainment, literacy, and other potential confounders. In adjusted models for men, leisure activities in later life were associated with a decreased risk of CIWD (odds ratio [OR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-0.78) and dementia (OR, 0,52; 95% CI, 0.48-0.58). For women, leisure activities in later life were associated with a decreased risk of CIWD (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.66-0.78) and dementia (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.43-0.53). The findings suggest that greater participation in leisure activities in later life may act as a protective factor against CIWD and dementia among older adults in Colombia, independent of educational attainment and literacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Guerrero Barragán
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Escuela de Gobierno, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.,Unidad de Servicios de Salud Occidente de Kennedy, Servicio de Neurología, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Diego Lucumí
- Escuela de Gobierno, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Brian Lawlor
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Blodgett JM, Cooper R, Davis DHJ, Kuh D, Hardy R. Bidirectional associations between word memory and one-legged balance performance in mid and later life. Exp Gerontol 2021; 144:111176. [PMID: 33279666 PMCID: PMC7840581 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.111176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-related changes in cognitive and balance capabilities are well-established, as is their correlation with one another. Given limited evidence regarding the directionality of associations, we aimed to explore the direction and potential explanations of associations between word memory and one-legged balance performance in mid-later life. METHODS A total of 3062 participants in the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development, a British birth cohort study, were included. One-legged balance times (eyes closed) were measured at ages 53, 60-64 and 69 years. Word memory was assessed at ages 43, 53, 60-64 and 69 with three 15-item word-recall trials. Autoregressive cross-lagged and dual change score models assessed bidirectional associations between word memory and balance. Random-effects models quantified the extent to which these associations were explained by adjustment for anthropometric, socioeconomic, behavioural and health status indicators. RESULTS Autoregressive cross-lagged and dual change score models suggested a unidirectional association between word memory and subsequent balance performance. In a sex-adjusted random-effects model, 1 standard deviation increase in word memory was associated with 9% (7,12%) higher balance performance at age 53. This association decreased with age (-0.4% /year (-0.6,-0.1%). Education partially attenuated the association, although it remained in the fully-adjusted model (3% (0.1,6%)). CONCLUSIONS There was consistent evidence that word memory is associated with subsequent balance performance but no evidence of the reverse association. Cognitive processing plays an important role in the balance process, with educational attainment providing some contribution. These findings have important implications for understanding cognitive-motor associations and for interventions aimed at improving cognitive and physical capability in the ageing population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel Cooper
- Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Diana Kuh
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, London, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sommerlad A, Sabia S, Livingston G, Kivimäki M, Lewis G, Singh-Manoux A. Leisure activity participation and risk of dementia: An 18-year follow-up of the Whitehall II Study. Neurology 2020; 95:e2803-e2815. [PMID: 33115773 PMCID: PMC7734721 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000010966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that leisure activity participation is associated with lower dementia risk, we examined the association between participation in leisure activities and incident dementia in a large longitudinal study with average 18-year follow-up. METHODS We used data from 8,280 participants of the Whitehall II prospective cohort study. A 13-item scale assessed leisure activity participation in 1997-1999, 2002-2004, and 2007-2009, and incidence of dementia (n cases = 360, mean age at diagnosis 76.2 years, incidence rate 2.4 per 1,000 person-years) was ascertained from 3 comprehensive national registers with follow-up until March 2017. Primary analyses were based on complete cases (n = 6,050, n cases = 247) and sensitivity analyses used multiple imputation for missing data. RESULTS Participation in leisure activities at mean age 55.8 (1997-1999 assessment), with 18.0-year follow-up, was not associated with dementia (hazard ratio [HR] 0.92 [95% confidence interval 0.79-1.06]), but those with higher participation at mean age 65.7 (2007-2009 assessment) were less likely to develop dementia with 8.3-year follow-up (HR 0.82 [0.69-0.98]). No specific type of leisure activity was consistently associated with dementia risk. Decline in participation between 1997-1999 and 2007-2009 was associated with subsequent dementia risk. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that participation in leisure activities declines in the preclinical phase of dementia; there was no robust evidence for a protective association between leisure activity participation and dementia. Future research should investigate the sociobehavioral, cognitive, and neurobiological drivers of decline in leisure activity participation to determine potential approaches to improving social participation of those developing dementia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Sommerlad
- From the Division of Psychiatry (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis) and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (S.S., M.K., A.-S.M.), University College London; Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis), London, UK; Université de Paris (S.S., A.-S.M.), Inserm U1153, Epidemiology of Ageing and Neurodegenerative Diseases, France; and Clinicum and Helsinki Institute of Life Science (M.K.), University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Séverine Sabia
- From the Division of Psychiatry (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis) and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (S.S., M.K., A.-S.M.), University College London; Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis), London, UK; Université de Paris (S.S., A.-S.M.), Inserm U1153, Epidemiology of Ageing and Neurodegenerative Diseases, France; and Clinicum and Helsinki Institute of Life Science (M.K.), University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gill Livingston
- From the Division of Psychiatry (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis) and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (S.S., M.K., A.-S.M.), University College London; Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis), London, UK; Université de Paris (S.S., A.-S.M.), Inserm U1153, Epidemiology of Ageing and Neurodegenerative Diseases, France; and Clinicum and Helsinki Institute of Life Science (M.K.), University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika Kivimäki
- From the Division of Psychiatry (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis) and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (S.S., M.K., A.-S.M.), University College London; Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis), London, UK; Université de Paris (S.S., A.-S.M.), Inserm U1153, Epidemiology of Ageing and Neurodegenerative Diseases, France; and Clinicum and Helsinki Institute of Life Science (M.K.), University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Glyn Lewis
- From the Division of Psychiatry (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis) and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (S.S., M.K., A.-S.M.), University College London; Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis), London, UK; Université de Paris (S.S., A.-S.M.), Inserm U1153, Epidemiology of Ageing and Neurodegenerative Diseases, France; and Clinicum and Helsinki Institute of Life Science (M.K.), University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Archana Singh-Manoux
- From the Division of Psychiatry (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis) and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (S.S., M.K., A.-S.M.), University College London; Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (A.S., G. Livingston, G. Lewis), London, UK; Université de Paris (S.S., A.-S.M.), Inserm U1153, Epidemiology of Ageing and Neurodegenerative Diseases, France; and Clinicum and Helsinki Institute of Life Science (M.K.), University of Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Chung W, Kim R. Which Occupation is Highly Associated with Cognitive Impairment? A Gender-Specific Longitudinal Study of Paid and Unpaid Occupations in South Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17217749. [PMID: 33113980 PMCID: PMC7660334 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background: To examine the associations between paid and unpaid occupations and the risk of cognitive impairment with respect to gender in a middle-aged population using the dataset of a nationally representative longitudinal survey. Methods: Overall, 24,925 observations of 5865 participants aged 45–64 years were sampled from the seven waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (2006–2018). A dichotomous outcome variable was derived based on the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination scores, and occupations were grouped into 12 categories, including three unpaid ones. Sociodemographics, lifestyle, and medical conditions were included as covariates in the mixed logistic regression models. Adjusted odds ratios and predicted probabilities of cognitive impairment were estimated. Results: In the longitudinal models with all-studied covariates, the risk of cognitive impairment was similar between genders but differed across occupation categories for each gender. Moreover, the association between occupation and cognitive impairment varied between genders. Regarding the predicted probability, in men, the retired category exhibited the highest risk of cognitive impairment. However, in women, the highest risk was related to the homemakers category, with the risk being more than five times higher than those in the professionals and related workers category. Conclusions: Public health policies to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in the middle-aged population need to be designed and implemented with respect to both gender and occupation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Woojin Chung
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea;
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Roeul Kim
- Labor Welfare Research Institute, Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, Seoul 07254, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2670-0448
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Oi K. Disuse as time away from a cognitively demanding job; how does it temporally or developmentally impact late-life cognition? INTELLIGENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2020.101484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
17
|
Goodman-Casanova JM, Dura-Perez E, Guzman-Parra J, Cuesta-Vargas A, Mayoral-Cleries F. Telehealth Home Support During COVID-19 Confinement for Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Mild Dementia: Survey Study. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e19434. [PMID: 32401215 PMCID: PMC7247465 DOI: 10.2196/19434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The public health emergency of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is rapidly evolving worldwide; some countries, including Spain, have implemented restrictive measures. Populations that are vulnerable to this outbreak and its physical and mental health effects include community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. Telehealth is a potential tool to deliver health care and decrease exposure risk. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to explore the impact of confinement on the health and well-being of community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, to provide television-based and telephone-based health and social support, and to study the effects of a television-based assistive integrated technology, TV-AssistDem (TeleVision-based ASSistive Integrated Service to supporT European adults living with mild DEMentia or mild cognitive impairment). METHODS A telephone-based survey was administered in Spain to 93 participants in the TV-AssistDem clinical trial from March 25 to April 6, 2020. RESULTS Of the respondents, 60/93 (65%) were women. The mean age was 73.34 (SD 6.07), and 69/93 (74%) lived accompanied. Lockdown measures forced 17/93 respondents (18%) to change their living arrangements. Health status was found to be optimal in 89/93 respondents (96%), with no COVID-19 symptoms. Grocery and pharmacy outings were performed by family members of 68/93 participants (73%); 57 (61%) reported overall well-being, and 65 (70%) maintained their sleep quality. However, participants living alone reported greater negative feelings and more sleeping problems. Regarding leisure activities, 53/93 respondents (57%) took walks, 32 (35%) played memory games, 55 (60%) watched television, and 91 (98%) telephoned relatives. 58/93 (64%) respondents reported accessing moderate or too much COVID-19 information, 89 (97%) received it from television, and 56 (62%) stated that their understanding of the information was extreme. 39/93 (39%) respondents had contacted health and social services, while 29 (31%) requested information regarding these services during the telephone call. There were no significant differences in health and well-being between the intervention and control groups. Respondents with TV-AssistDem performed more memory exercises (24/93, 52% vs 8/93, 17.4%; P<.001) than control respondents. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that during COVID-19 confinement, the physical and mental health and well-being was optimal for the majority of our vulnerable population. However, those living alone reported greater negative psychological effects and sleeping problems. Measures adopted to address the negative experiences of confinement included keeping informed about the situation, accessing health and social services, having a support network that prevents risk of exposure to COVID-19 and guarantees food and medical supplies, a daily routine with maintained sleeping habits and leisure activities, staying physically and mentally active with cognitive stimulation exercises, and ensuring social connectedness using technology. Television sets were preferred technological devices to access COVID-19 information, watch television as a recreational activity, and perform memory exercises as an intellectual activity. Television-based telehealth support using TV-AssistDem demonstrated potential for cognitive stimulation. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03653234; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03653234.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Marian Goodman-Casanova
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Elena Dura-Perez
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Jose Guzman-Parra
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Antonio Cuesta-Vargas
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - Fermin Mayoral-Cleries
- Department of Mental Health, Regional University Hospital of Málaga, Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Differential Risk of Cognitive Impairment across Paid and Unpaid Occupations in the Middle-Age Population: Evidence from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, 2006-2016. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17093124. [PMID: 32365841 PMCID: PMC7246693 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17093124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
To examine and quantify the risk of cognitive impairment across a variety of occupations including unpaid work in a middle-age population using the dataset of a nationally representative longitudinal survey. A total of 20,932 observations of 5865 subjects aged 45–64 were obtained from six waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006–2016). A dichotomous outcome variable was constructed on the basis of the Korean Versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination scores, and occupations were grouped into 10 occupation categories, including unpaid housekeepers. Socio-demographics, lifestyle, and medical conditions were used as covariates in mixed logistic regression models. Adjusted odds ratios and predicted probabilities of cognitive impairment were computed and adjusted for a complex survey design. In longitudinal models with all studied covariates, the risk of cognitive impairment differed significantly across occupation categories, but the association of occupation with the risk of cognitive impairment was the same between genders. In terms of the predicted probability, the risk of cognitive impairment in the unpaid housekeepers’ category (11.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 10.4% to 11.9%) was the highest among occupation categories, being three times higher than in the professionals’ and related workers’ category (3.7%, 95% CI: 1.6% to 5.7%). Public policies based on studies of the risk of cognitive impairment across different occupations in the middle-age population should be designed so as to prevent cognitive impairment in the middle-age population as well as their older life stages, particularly targeting high-risk groups such as people engaged in unpaid domestic and care activities.
Collapse
|
19
|
Oh VYS, Tong EMW. Sadness, but not anger or fear, mediates the long-term leisure-cognition link: an emotion-specific approach. Cogn Emot 2020; 34:1357-1369. [PMID: 32174232 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2020.1743237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Past research has provided some evidence of positive relationships between leisure and cognitive functioning, but questions remain regarding their mechanisms. We argue that specific negative emotions may provide promising theoretical mechanisms for the leisure-cognition link. Guided by theories of leisure and emotion-specificity, we used a large-sample, longitudinal dataset of adult participants (N = 3536; 1940 females; M age = 56.16) to examine the leisure-cognition link over about a decade and to test whether sadness, anger, or fear would be supported as emotion-specific mediators of the leisure-cognition link. Analyses were performed using observed variable path analyses and latent variable structural equation modelling. Controlling for demographics (age, gender, education level) and baseline cognitive functioning, leisure predicted better episodic memory and executive function a decade later. Moreover, both observed variable and latent variable mediational analyses supported sadness as a mediator of the link between leisure and episodic memory as well as executive function, such that leisure predicted reduced sadness, in turn predicting improved cognitive functioning. In contrast, neither fear nor anger were supported as mediators of the leisure-cognition link. Thus, the results support long-term links between leisure and cognitive functioning and also support sadness as an emotion-specific mediator of these relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Y S Oh
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eddie M W Tong
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Role of gait speed and grip strength in predicting 10-year cognitive decline among community-dwelling older people. BMC Geriatr 2019; 19:186. [PMID: 31277579 PMCID: PMC6612180 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-019-1199-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gait speed and handgrip strength represented the core determinants of physical frailty and sarcopenia, which were reported to be associated with cognitive impairment and decline. Different physical measures might differentially affect cognitive changes, such as higher-level cognitive change and global cognitive decline. This study examined the differential associations of gait speed and handgrip strength with 10-year cognitive changes among community-dwelling older people. METHODS Participants aged 60 years and over living in the community were invited for study. Gait speed and handgrip strength were classified into 5 groups based on quintiles at baseline. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) every 2 years from baseline for a period of 10 years. Linear mixed effects models were used to determine the role of gait speed and handgrip strength in the prediction of 10-year cognitive changes by adjusting covariates, including age, gender, education, depressive symptoms, marital status, smoking status, instrumental activities of daily life (IADL), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and body mass index (BMI) at baseline. RESULTS A total of 1096 participants were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 69.4 ± 5.8 years and 50.9% were male. The slowest gait speed group showed a significantly greater decline in the DSST scores over 10 years than the highest group (estimate = 0.28 and P = 0.003), but not in the MMSE scores (estimate = 0.05 and P = 0.078). The lowest handgrip strength group showed a significantly greater decline in the MMSE scores than the highest group (estimate = 0.06 and P = 0.039) and in the DSST scores than the highest two quintiles (estimate = 0.20 and P = 0.033 for the fourth quintile; estimate = 0.20 and P = 0.040 for the highest quintile) over 10-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS A slow gait speed could predict 10-year cognitive decline using DSST, and a low handgrip strength could predict 10-year cognitive decline using MMSE in addition to DSST. Thus both physical measures are lined to cognitive decline but there may be different mechanisms between brain and physical functions.
Collapse
|
21
|
Brydges CR, Bielak AAM. The Impact of a Sustained Cognitive Engagement Intervention on Cognitive Variability: The Synapse Project. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT 2019; 3:365-375. [PMID: 32775959 DOI: 10.1007/s41465-019-00140-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Interest in maintaining one's cognitive ability and quality of life through older adulthood has greatly increased in recent years. However, research examining the effectiveness of cognitive engagement interventions on older adults is mixed and the mechanisms behind improving cognition in older age are unknown. It is possible that traditional measures of cognitive outcomes, such as average reaction time, may overlook potential benefits due to a lack of sensitivity in these measures. One alternative metric is intraindividual variability (IIV) in response speed (short-term variations in performance on reaction time tasks), which reflects fluctuations in attention and is a sensitive behavioral measure of neurological integrity that is predictive of future cognitive decline and impairment. Objective The current study aimed to investigate whether IIV was improved in older adults through productive cognitive engagement (i.e., acquisition of new skills) in comparison to receptive engagement (activities that rely upon existing knowledge). Methods Participants were 173 typically aging adults aged 60-90 years who were recruited to the Synapse Project and randomly allocated to a productive engagement activity (learning to quilt and/or conduct digital photography) or receptive engagement activity (socializing, or placebo cognitive tasks such as completing crosswords). Participants completed three flanker tasks at baseline and after completing the 14-week intervention program. IIV was calculated as the trial-to-trial variability in responding to congruent and incongruent trials in each task. Results Neither traditional intent-to-treat nor complier average causal effect modeling analyses showed any significant improvements in IIV for either intervention group. Further, Bayesian analyses showed that there was moderate evidence in favor of the null hypothesis. Conclusion An intensive cognitive activity intervention did not result in a reduction in IIV. We suggest that intervention programs may need to specifically engage cognitive domains associated with IIV (i.e., attention, executive control) for improvements to be observed. Additionally, other design factors such as using a longer duration and/or applying the intervention to atypically aging groups, such as those with mild cognitive impairment, may increase the likelihood of significantly reducing IIV via an intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Allison A M Bielak
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Rogalski E, Gefen T, Mao Q, Connelly M, Weintraub S, Geula C, Bigio EH, Mesulam MM. Cognitive trajectories and spectrum of neuropathology in SuperAgers: The first 10 cases. Hippocampus 2019; 29:458-467. [PMID: 29341318 PMCID: PMC6050141 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
On average, memory capacity is significantly higher in populations of 50-60 year olds than in populations of 80 year olds. We define SuperAgers as individuals 80 or older whose episodic memory capacity is at least as good as that of cognitively average individuals in their 50s and 60s. SuperAgers therefore have memory capacity that is superior for age. Previous work showed that SuperAgers have greater cortical volumes and greater resistance to age-related cortical atrophy than "cognitively average" individuals of the same age. Here we report on the cognitive, personality, and neuropathologic characteristics of the first 10 autopsy cases in the Northwestern SuperAging Program. During the follow-up period, seven SuperAgers maintained episodic memory performance within or above the average range for 50-65 year-old norms and all 10 SuperAgers maintained episodic memory scores within normal limits for their own age. Extraversion scores tended to be high on the NEO-PI-R measure of personality. The 10 autopsy specimens showed variable findings within the spectrum of Alzheimer pathology. The hippocampus and entorhinal cortex contained neurofibrillary degeneration mostly in the Braak II-III stages. However, even these limbic areas contained many healthy appearing neurons and the neocortex was generally free of neurofibrillary degeneration. In contrast, neocortical areas in at least five of the cases contained moderate to high densities of neuritic plaques. These findings need to be placed in context by comparing them to the neuropathology of cognitively average individuals of the same age. Future research on SuperAgers is likely to offer insights into factors that either prevent the emergence of involutional changes in the brain or that makes cognitive function more resistant to their consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Rogalski
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Tamar Gefen
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Qinwen Mao
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Maureen Connelly
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Changiz Geula
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Eileen H. Bigio
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - M.-Marsel Mesulam
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Festini SB, Hertzog C, McDonough IM, Park DC. What makes us busy? Predictors of perceived busyness across the adult lifespan. The Journal of General Psychology 2019; 146:111-133. [PMID: 30686122 DOI: 10.1080/00221309.2018.1540396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Busier people tend to perform better on cognitive tasks than less busy individuals. Nevertheless, the characteristics that are associated with greater perceived busyness are unknown. To address this question participants (N = 463) from the Dallas Lifespan Brain Study (ages 20-89) completed a self-report busyness assessment and demographic, health, personality, and lifestyle measures. Results revealed that perceived busyness peaked in 30-year-olds, showed age-related decreases until age 60, and then remained stable. Moreover, women generally reported being busier than men. Analysis of age by gender interactions revealed that men exhibited a significant cubic age effect for busyness, whereas women did not. Overall, younger age, female gender, agreeableness, neuroticism, frequent participation in novel activities, and enjoyment of cognitive processing were independently associated with being busier, and the characteristics related to busyness were generally stable across age. Notably, participation in novel activities and need for cognition were the most predictive lifestyle characteristics, supporting the framing of busyness as an indicator of mental engagement. We also propose personality-based sources of self-generated and other-generated busyness.
Collapse
|
24
|
Hong J. The areas of life dissatisfaction and their relationships to depression at different life stages: findings from a nationally representative survey. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2018; 24:305-319. [DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2018.1537496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jihyung Hong
- Department of Healthcare Management, College of Social Science, Gachon University, Seongnam, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Mein G, Grant R. A cross-sectional exploratory analysis between pet ownership, sleep, exercise, health and neighbourhood perceptions: the Whitehall II cohort study. BMC Geriatr 2018; 18:176. [PMID: 30092763 PMCID: PMC6085675 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-018-0867-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To explore associations between pets, and specifically dog ownership and sleep, health, exercise and neighbourhood. METHODS Cross sectional examination of 6575 participants of the Whitehall II study aged between 59 and 79 years. We used self-assessed measurement scales of the Short Form (SF36), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Control, Autonomy, Self-realisation and Pleasure (CASP), Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), sleep, exercise, and perceptions of local neighbourhood. In addition the Mini Mental State Examination which is administered to test global cognitive status (MMSE). RESULTS We found 2/7 people owned a pet and of those 64% were "very" attached to their pet. Mild exercise in metabolic equivalents (MET-hours) was significantly higher in pet owners than non-owners (median 27.8 (IQR 18.1 to 41.8) vs 25.7 (IQR 16.8 to 38.7), p = 0.0001), and in dog owners than other pets (median 32.3 (IQR 20.8 to 46.1) vs 25.6 (IQR 16.8 to 38.5), p < 0.0001). Moderate exercise was also significantly higher in pet owners than non pet owners (median 11.8 (IQR 4.2 to 21.9) vs 9.8 (IQR 2.8 to 19.5), p < 0.0001), and dog owners than owners of other pets (median 12.3 (IQR 4.2 to 22.2) vs 10.1 (3.1 to 20.0), p = 0.0002) but there were no significant differences with vigorous exercise. We found that pet owners were significantly more positive about their neighbourhood than non-owners on 8/9 questions, while dog owners were (significantly) even more positive than owners of other pets on 8/9 questions. Associations with sleep were mixed, although dog owners had less trouble falling asleep than non-dog owners, with borderline statistical significance. CONCLUSION Dog owners feel more positive about their neighbourhood, do more exercise, and fall asleep more easily than non-dog owners. These results suggest that dog owners could be more likely to exercise by walking their dogs and therefore may be more familiar and positive about the area in which they walk their dog.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gill Mein
- Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Kingston University and St George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE UK
| | - Robert Grant
- Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Kingston University and St George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE UK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Anatürk M, Demnitz N, Ebmeier KP, Sexton CE. A systematic review and meta-analysis of structural magnetic resonance imaging studies investigating cognitive and social activity levels in older adults. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 93:71-84. [PMID: 29940239 PMCID: PMC6562200 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Population aging has prompted considerable interest in identifying modifiable factors that may help protect the brain and its functions. Collectively, epidemiological studies show that leisure activities with high mental and social demands are linked with better cognition in old age. The extent to which socio-intellectual activities relate to the brain's structure is, however, not yet fully understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes magnetic resonance imaging studies that have investigated whether cognitive and social activities correlate with measures of gray and white matter volume, white matter microstructure and white matter lesions. Across eighteen included studies (total n = 8429), activity levels were associated with whole-brain white matter volume, white matter lesions and regional gray matter volume, although effect sizes were small. No associations were found for global gray matter volume and the evidence concerning white matter microstructure was inconclusive. While the causality of the reviewed associations needs to be established, our findings implicate socio-intellectual activity levels as promising targets for interventions aimed at promoting healthy brain aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Anatürk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | - N Demnitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | - K P Ebmeier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | - C E Sexton
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Department of Psychaitry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom; Global Brain Health Institute, Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Litwin H, Schwartz E, Damri N. Cognitively Stimulating Leisure Activity and Subsequent Cognitive Function: A SHARE-based Analysis. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2018; 57:940-948. [PMID: 27117305 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnw084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose of the Study The aim of the inquiry was to examine whether cognitively stimulating leisure activity (CSLA) can delay or reduce cognitive decline in late life and whether its effect is moderated by education, age, or activity pattern. Design and Methods Employing secondary analysis of data on respondents aged 65 and older from the 4th and 5th waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (N = 16,572), the inquiry regressed cognitive function (memory, numeracy, and fluency) at Time 2 on frequency of engagement in CSLA at baseline, controlling for cognitive function scores at baseline and a range of confounders. The study also considered education by CSLA and age by CSLA interactions, as well as the effect of CSLA patterns. Results CSLA frequency was found to be positively related to subsequent cognitive functioning on all measures, 2 years later. The effect of CSLA on memory and fluency was stronger among those with lower education, whereas the age by CSLA interaction was not significant. Respondents who started CSLA after baseline showed better cognitive functioning at Time 2 than those who did not engage in CSLA at all and those who had engaged in such activity at baseline but stopped. Implications The study documents that CSLAs constitute a potential source for the delay or reduction of cognitive decline, regardless of one's age. As such, practitioners should recognize the value of this medium and encourage its greater use in appropriate settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Howard Litwin
- Israel Gerontological Data Center, Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ella Schwartz
- Israel Gerontological Data Center, Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Noam Damri
- Israel Gerontological Data Center, Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
McHugh Power J, Tang J, Lawlor B, Kenny RA, Kee F. Mediators of the relationship between social activities and cognitive function among older Irish adults: results from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing. Aging Ment Health 2018; 22:129-134. [PMID: 27676290 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2016.1233935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evidence points to an association between social and leisure activity (SLA) engagement and cognitive outcomes, but the mechanisms underlying this link remain unknown. We aimed to investigate three potential mechanisms: Vascular function, Perceived Stress, and Cognitive Reserve. METHODS With data from 8163 adults aged over 50 in the Irish Longitudinal Study of Ageing, we used a structural equation model to evaluate Vascular Function and Perceived Stress as potential mediators, and Cognitive Reserve as a potential antecedent in the relationship between SLA at baseline (2009), and cognitive outcomes collected at a two-year follow-up point (2011). RESULTS Cognitive Reserve was strongly associated both with cognitive outcomes (β = 0.306; p < 0.001) and with SLA (β = 0.694; p < 0.001). Perceived stress (β = 0.018) acted as a significant mediator in the relationships between SLA and cognitive outcomes (p < 0.001), although Vascular Function did not (β = 0.000). CONCLUSION These results indicate that SLA may protect cognitive function partly because of its association with cognitive reserve, and partly through its impact on perceived stress. Results have policy implications for those interested in facilitating SLA to protect cognitive outcomes among older adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna McHugh Power
- a UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health (Northern Ireland), Institute of Clinical Sciences, Grosvenor Rd , Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , United Kingdom
| | - Jianjun Tang
- a UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health (Northern Ireland), Institute of Clinical Sciences, Grosvenor Rd , Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , United Kingdom
| | - Brian Lawlor
- b Institute of Neuroscience & Centre for Medical Gerontology , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2 , Republic of Ireland
| | - Rose Ann Kenny
- b Institute of Neuroscience & Centre for Medical Gerontology , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2 , Republic of Ireland
| | - Frank Kee
- a UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health (Northern Ireland), Institute of Clinical Sciences, Grosvenor Rd , Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Elovainio M, Sommerlad A, Hakulinen C, Pulkki-Råback L, Virtanen M, Kivimäki M, Singh-Manoux A. Structural social relations and cognitive ageing trajectories: evidence from the Whitehall II cohort study. Int J Epidemiol 2017; 47:701-708. [PMID: 29121238 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyx209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social relations are important for health, particularly at older ages. We examined the salience of frequency of social contacts and marital status for cognitive ageing trajectories over 21 years, from midlife to early old age. METHODS Data are from the Whitehall II cohort study, including 4290 men and 1776 women aged 35-55 years at baseline (1985-88). Frequency of social contacts and marital status were measured in 1985-88 and 1989-90. Assessment of cognitive function on five occasions (1991-94, 1997-99, 2003-04, 2007-09 and 2012-13) included the following tests: short-term memory, inductive reasoning, verbal fluency (phonemic and semantic) and a combined global score. Cognitive trajectories over the study period were analysed using longitudinal latent growth class analyses, and the associations of these latent classes (trajectory memberships) with social relations were analysed using multinominal logistic regression. RESULTS More frequent social contacts [relative risk (RRR) 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94 - 0.98] and being married (RRR 0.70, 95% CI 0.58 - 0.84) were associated with lower probability of being on a low rather than high cognitive performance trajectory over the subsequent 21 years. These associations persisted after adjustment for covariates. Of the sub-tests, social relations variables had the strongest association with phonemic fluency (RRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.94 - 0.97 for frequent contact; RRR 0.59, 95% CI 0.48 - 0.71 for being married). CONCLUSIONS More frequent social contacts and having a spouse were associated with more favourable cognitive ageing trajectories. Further studies are needed to examine whether interventions designed to improve social connections affect cognitive ageing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marko Elovainio
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Christian Hakulinen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Pulkki-Råback
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Mika Kivimäki
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.,Clinicum and Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Archana Singh-Manoux
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.,INSERM U1018, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Schindler M, Maihöfner C, Bolwerk A, Lang FR. Does participation in art classes influence performance on two different cognitive tasks? Aging Ment Health 2017; 21:439-444. [PMID: 26600170 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2015.1114587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Effects of two mentally stimulating art interventions on processing speed and visuo-spatial cognition were compared in three samples. METHOD In a randomized 10-week art intervention study with a pre-post follow-up design, 113 adults (27 healthy older adults with subjective memory complaints, 50 healthy older adults and 36 healthy younger adults) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: visual art production or cognitive art evaluation, where the participants either produced or evaluated art. ANOVAs with repeated measures were computed to observe effects on the Symbol-Digit Test, and the Stick Test. RESULTS Significant Time effects were found with regard to processing speed and visuo-spatial cognition. Additionally, there was found a significant Time × Sample interaction for processing speed. The effects proved robust after testing for education and adding sex as additional factor. CONCLUSION Mental stimulation by participation in art classes leads to an improvement of processing speed and visuo-spatial cognition. Further investigation is required to improve understanding of the potential impact of art intervention on cognitive abilities across adulthood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Schindler
- a Institute of Psychogerontology , Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg , Germany
| | - Christian Maihöfner
- b Department of Neurology , University Hospital Erlangen , Erlangen , Germany.,c Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Anne Bolwerk
- b Department of Neurology , University Hospital Erlangen , Erlangen , Germany.,c Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Frieder R Lang
- a Institute of Psychogerontology , Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Bloom I, Edwards M, Jameson KA, Syddall HE, Dennison E, Gale CR, Baird J, Cooper C, Aihie Sayer A, Robinson S. Influences on diet quality in older age: the importance of social factors. Age Ageing 2017; 46:277-283. [PMID: 27744301 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afw180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background poor diet quality is common among older people, but little is known about influences on food choice, including the role of psychosocial factors at this age. Objective to identify psychosocial correlates of diet quality in a community-dwelling population of men and women aged 59-73 years; to describe relationships with change in diet quality over 10 years. Design Longitudinal cohort, Hertfordshire Cohort Study (HCS). Subjects HCS participants assessed at baseline (1998-2003: 1,048 men, 862 women); 183 men and 189 women re-assessed in 2011. Methods diet was assessed by administered food frequency questionnaire; diet scores were calculated to describe diet quality at baseline and follow-up. A range of psychosocial factors (social support, social network, participation in leisure activities, depression and anxiety, sense of control) were assessed by questionnaire. Results at baseline, better diet quality was related to a range of social factors, including increased confiding/emotional social support (men and women), practical support (men) and a larger social network (women) (all P < 0.05). For both men and women, greater participation in social and cognitive leisure activities was related to better diet quality (P < 0.005). There were few associations between measured psychosocial factors at baseline and change in diet score over 10 years, in the follow-up sub-group. However, greater participation in leisure activities, especially cognitive activities, at baseline was associated with smaller declines in diet quality over the 10-year follow-up period for both men (P = 0.017) and women (P = 0.014). Conclusions in community-dwelling older adults, a range of social factors, that includes greater participation in leisure activities, were associated with diets of better quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilse Bloom
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Nutrition Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Mark Edwards
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit,University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Karen A Jameson
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit,University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Holly E Syddall
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit,University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Elaine Dennison
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit,University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Catharine R Gale
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Janis Baird
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit,University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Cyrus Cooper
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Avan Aihie Sayer
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre in Ageing and Chronic Disease, Newcastle University and Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Ageing Geriatrics & Epidemiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Institute for Ageing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care: Wessex, Southampton, UK
| | - Sian Robinson
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit,University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Gajewski PD, Freude G, Falkenstein M. Cognitive Training Sustainably Improves Executive Functioning in Middle-Aged Industry Workers Assessed by Task Switching: A Randomized Controlled ERP Study. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:81. [PMID: 28275347 PMCID: PMC5319973 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we reported results of a cross-sectional study investigating executive functions in dependence of aging and type of work. That study showed deficits in performance and electrophysiological activity in middle-aged workers with long-term repetitive and unchallenging work. Based on these findings, we conducted a longitudinal study that aimed at ameliorating these cognitive deficits by means of a trainer-guided cognitive training (CT) in 57 further middle-aged workers with repetitive type of work from the same factory. This study was designed as a randomized controlled trail with pre- (t1), post- (t2), and a 3-month follow-up (t3) measure. The waiting control group was trained between t2 and t3. The training lasted 3 months (20 sessions) and was evaluated with the same task switching paradigm used in the previous cross-sectional study. The CT improved performance in accuracy at the behavioral level and affected the electrophysiological correlates of retrieval of stimulus-response sets (P2), response selection (N2), and error detection (Ne), thus unveiling the neuronal background of the behavioral effects. The same training effects were observed in the waiting control group after CT at t3. Moreover, at t3, most of the behavioral and electrophysiological training-induced changes were found stable. Hence, CT appears to be an important intervention for compensating cognitive deficits in executive functions in middle-aged employees with cognitively unchallenging work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Gajewski
- Ageing Research Group, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Technical University of Dortmund Dortmund, Germany
| | - Gabriele Freude
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Falkenstein
- Ageing Research Group, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Technical University of DortmundDortmund, Germany; Institute for Working, Learning and AgingBochum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Bowling A, Pikhartova J, Dodgeon B. Is mid-life social participation associated with cognitive function at age 50? Results from the British National Child Development Study (NCDS). BMC Psychol 2016; 4:58. [PMID: 27908287 PMCID: PMC5134123 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-016-0164-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Some studies have indicated that social engagement is associated with better cognitive outcomes. This study aimed to investigate associations between life-course social engagement (civic participation) and cognitive status at age 50, adjusting for social networks and support, behavioural, health, social and socio-economic characteristics. Methods The vehicle for the study was the National Child Development Study (1958 Birth Cohort Study), which is a general population sample in England, Scotland and Wales (9119: 4497 men and 4622 women) participating in nationally representative, prospective birth cohort surveys. The primary outcome variable was cognitive status at age 50, measured by memory test (immediate and delayed word recall test) and executive functioning test (word fluency and letter cancelation tests). The influence of hypothesised predictor variables was analysed using linear multiple regression analysis. Results Cognitive ability at age 11 (β = 0.19;95% CI = 0.17 to 0.21), participation in civic activities at ages 33 (0.12; 0.02 to 0.22) and 50 (0.13; 0.07 to 0.20), frequent engagement in physical activity (sport) (β from 0.15 to 0.18), achieving higher level qualifications (β from 0.23 to 1.08), and female gender (β = 0.49;95% CI = 0.38 to 0.60) were positively, significantly and independently associated with cognitive status at age 50. Having low socio-economic status at ages 11 (β from -0.22 to -0.27) and 42 (β from -0.28 to -0.38), and manifesting worse mental well-being at age 42 (β = -0.18; 95% CI = -0.33 to -0.02) were inversely associated with cognitive status at age 50. The proportion of explained variance in the multiple regression model (18%), while modest, is impressive given the multi-faceted causal nature of cognitive status. Conclusions The results indicate that modest associations between adult social engagement and cognitive function at age 50 persist after adjusting for covariates which included health, socio-economic status and gender, supporting theories of neuroplasticity. In addition to the continuing emphasis on physical activity, the encouragement of civic participation, at least as early as mid-life, should be a targeted policy to potentially promote and protect cognitive function in later mid-life. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40359-016-0164-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ann Bowling
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO171BJ, UK.
| | - Jitka Pikhartova
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO171BJ, UK.,Brunel University London, College of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, London, UK
| | - Brian Dodgeon
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, UCL Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AL20, UK
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Sörman DE, Rönnlund M, Sundström A, Norberg M, Nilsson LG. Social Network Size and Cognitive Functioning in Middle-Aged Adults: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations. JOURNAL OF ADULT DEVELOPMENT 2016; 24:77-88. [PMID: 28490858 PMCID: PMC5401708 DOI: 10.1007/s10804-016-9248-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to examine relations between social network size and three cognitive abilities (episodic memory, semantic memory, visuospatial ability) in middle-aged adults. We analyzed cross-sectional data on social network size and cognitive functioning that were available for 804 participants aged 40–60 years. In addition, we examined 5- and 10-year follow-up measurements of cognitive functioning that were available for 604 and 255 participants, respectively. Cross-sectional analyses revealed a positive association between social network size and each of the three cognitive abilities. Baseline network size was positively related to 5-year changes in semantic memory, and to 10-year changes in semantic as well as episodic memory, but was unrelated to changes in visuospatial performance. A minor portion of the sample (n = 131) had 10-year follow-up data on network size. Cross-lagged panel correlations revealed that baseline network size was associated with follow-up measurement in cognitive functioning (episodic memory, semantic memory), whereas baseline cognitive performance was unrelated to future network size. Together, the results demonstrate a small but positive relation between network size and declarative memory abilities, in line with models proposing a cognitive reserve built up by factors such as the increased cognitive stimulation associated with a more extensive social network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anna Sundström
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
- Centre for Demographic and Ageing Research (CEDAR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Margareta Norberg
- Centre for Demographic and Ageing Research (CEDAR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lars-Göran Nilsson
- Aging Research Center (ARC), Karolinska Institutet, 113 30 Stockholm, Sweden
- Umeå Center of Functional Brain Imaging, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Demnitz N, Esser P, Dawes H, Valkanova V, Johansen-Berg H, Ebmeier KP, Sexton C. A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies examining the relationship between mobility and cognition in healthy older adults. Gait Posture 2016; 50:164-174. [PMID: 27621086 PMCID: PMC5081060 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2016.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Ageing is associated with declines in cognitive function and mobility. The extent to which this relationship encompasses the subdomains of cognition and mobility remains unclear, however. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for cross-sectional studies examining the association between objective mobility measures (gait, lower-extremity function, balance) and cognitive function (global, executive function, memory, processing speed) in healthy older adults. Of the 642 studies identified, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 26,355 participants. For each feature of physical mobility, the relation to each aspect of cognition was reviewed. In the context of each association, we summarised the results to date and performed random-effects meta-analyses of published data. Reviewed findings suggest that individuals with better mobility perform better on assessments of global cognition, executive function, memory and processing speed. Not all measures of mobility were equally associated with cognitive function, however. Although there was a larger number of gait and lower-extremity function studies, and this may have driven findings, most studies examining balance and cognition measures reported no significant results. Meta-analyses on reported associations supported results by revealing significant, albeit small, effect sizes in favour of a positive association between performance on mobility measures and cognitive assessments. Future research should aim to establish the mechanisms driving this relationship, as this may identify predictors of age-related impairments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naiara Demnitz
- FMRIB Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK; Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Patrick Esser
- Movement Science Group, Oxford Brookes University, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Helen Dawes
- Movement Science Group, Oxford Brookes University, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Vyara Valkanova
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Heidi Johansen-Berg
- FMRIB Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Klaus P Ebmeier
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Claire Sexton
- FMRIB Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
McDonough IM, Haber S, Bischof GN, Park DC. The Synapse Project: Engagement in mentally challenging activities enhances neural efficiency. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2016; 33:865-82. [PMID: 26484698 PMCID: PMC4927925 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-150533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Correlational and limited experimental evidence suggests that an engaged lifestyle is associated with the maintenance of cognitive vitality in old age. However, the mechanisms underlying these engagement effects are poorly understood. We hypothesized that mental effort underlies engagement effects and used fMRI to examine the impact of high-challenge activities (digital photography and quilting) compared with low-challenge activities (socializing or performing low-challenge cognitive tasks) on neural function at pretest, posttest, and one year after the engagement program. METHODS In the scanner, participants performed a semantic-classification task with two levels of difficulty to assess the modulation of brain activity in response to task demands. RESULTS The High-Challenge group, but not the Low-Challenge group, showed increased modulation of brain activity in medial frontal, lateral temporal, and parietal cortex-regions associated with attention and semantic processing-some of which were maintained a year later. This increased modulation stemmed from decreases in brain activity during the easy condition for the High-Challenge group and was associated with time committed to the program, age, and cognition. CONCLUSIONS Sustained engagement in cognitively demanding activities facilitated cognition by increasing neural efficiency. Mentally-challenging activities may be neuroprotective and an important element to maintaining a healthy brain into late adulthood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Denise C. Park
- Corresponding author: Denise C. Park, Ph.D., Center for Vital Longevity, 1600 Viceroy Avenue, University of Texas at Dallas,Dallas, TX 75235, USA. Tel.: +1 972 883 3255; Fax: +1 972 883 3250; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Murphy M, Spillane K, Cully J, Navarro-Pardo E, Moret-Tatay C. Can Word Puzzles be Tailored to Improve Different Dimensions of Verbal Fluency? A Report of an Intervention Study. THE JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2016; 150:743-54. [PMID: 27224052 DOI: 10.1080/00223980.2016.1182887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Verbal fluency is commonly used as a proxy measure of executive functioning, as it involves cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibitory control. Previous research has demonstrated that crosswords can be a useful means of improving verbal fluency, results consistent with the cognitive reserve hypothesis; the form of verbal fluency affected has, however, differed across studies. The present study sought to assess the extent to which it was possible to target phonemic (PVF) and semantic verbal fluency (SVF) separately through word puzzles designed to focus on semantic/thematic and structural clues respectively. Fifty-three university students were randomly assigned to one of three groups: semantic/thematic, structural, or a daily diary control group. They were assessed on PVF and SVF at baseline, and immediately following a four-week intervention. Age, sex, and depression scores were controlled for. A 2 × 3 mixed ANCOVA showed that the structural group improved significantly more in PVF during the intervention period than did the semantic/thematic or control groups, with the improvement linked to improved switching performance. The effect size was large. No significant difference in improvement in SVF emerged, although the effect size was moderate. The findings support the notion that it is possible to improve specific forms of verbal fluency through tailored brief word-puzzle interventions.
Collapse
|
38
|
Choi Y, Park S, Cho KH, Chun SY, Park EC. A change in social activity affect cognitive function in middle-aged and older Koreans: analysis of a Korean longitudinal study on aging (2006-2012). Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2016; 31:912-9. [PMID: 26833847 DOI: 10.1002/gps.4408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between a changes in social activity and cognitive function in Koreans aged 45 years or older. METHODS Data were obtained from 6076 participants aged 45 years and older included in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2012). Cognitive function was measured using the mini-mental state examination-Korean version (MMSE-K). Participation in social activities was classified as "consistent participation," "consistent non-participation," "participation to non-participation," and "non-participation to participation." Linear mixed models were used to investigate the relationship between type of social activity (religious organizations, friendship organizations, leisure/culture/sports clubs, family or school reunion, volunteering work, and political organizations), and cognitive function. RESULTS Individuals who reported "no participation to participation" (b = 0.778, p < 0.0001) and "consistent participation" (b = 0.968, p < 0.0001) were more likely to show reduced cognitive decline than those who reported "consistent non-participation" (p < 0.0001 for trend). The positive association between cognitive function and consistent participation in religious activities, friendship organizations, and family/school reunions was particularly strong (b = 0.325, p < 0.0001; b = 0.570, p < 0.0001; b = 0.234, p = 0.0004; respectively, versus consistent non-participation). CONCLUSIONS Promotion of participation in religious organizations, friendship organizations, and family/school reunions (only for older persons) may help preserve cognitive function in individuals aged 45 years or older in Korea. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young Choi
- Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Health Services Research, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sohee Park
- Institute of Health Services Research, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyoung Hee Cho
- Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Health Services Research, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung-Youn Chun
- Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Institute of Health Services Research, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Cheol Park
- Institute of Health Services Research, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Festini SB, McDonough IM, Park DC. The Busier the Better: Greater Busyness Is Associated with Better Cognition. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 8:98. [PMID: 27242510 PMCID: PMC4870334 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustained engagement in mentally challenging activities has been shown to improve memory in older adults. We hypothesized that a busy schedule would be a proxy for an engaged lifestyle and would facilitate cognition. Here, we examined the relationship between busyness and cognition in adults aged 50-89. Participants (N = 330) from the Dallas Lifespan Brain Study (DLBS) completed a cognitive battery and the Martin and Park Environmental Demands Questionnaire (MPED), an assessment of busyness. Results revealed that greater busyness was associated with better processing speed, working memory, episodic memory, reasoning, and crystallized knowledge. Hierarchical regressions also showed that, after controlling for age and education, busyness accounted for significant additional variance in all cognitive constructs-especially episodic memory. Finally, an interaction between age and busyness was not present while predicting cognitive performance, suggesting that busyness was similarly beneficial in adults aged 50-89. Although correlational, these data demonstrate that living a busy lifestyle is associated with better cognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara B. Festini
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at DallasDallas, TX, USA
| | - Ian M. McDonough
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at DallasDallas, TX, USA
- Department of Psychology, The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Denise C. Park
- Center for Vital Longevity, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at DallasDallas, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Goverover Y, Genova H, Smith A, Chiaravalloti N, Lengenfelder J. Changes in activity participation following traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2016; 27:472-485. [PMID: 27043964 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2016.1168746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in impairments in cognitive skills as well as depression. As a result of these changes in cognition and mood, individuals with TBI may reduce their levels of participation and often report reduced health-related quality of life (HrQOL). The current study compares levels of past and present activity participation between healthy participants and persons with TBI using a client-centred approach in measurement. We additionally examine the relationship between activity participation, emotional functioning and HrQOL in persons with TBI. Fifty-two individuals with TBI who live in the community and 30 healthy age-matched controls performed a battery of cognitive tests and rated their affective symptomatology and activity participation (using the Activity Card Sort Test). Participants with TBI reported significantly lower current activity participation compared to controls. Current levels of activity and participation in the TBI sample were significantly related to age, time since injury, and HrQOL. Additionally, depressive symptomatology was significantly associated with HrQOL, but not with activity participation. Following TBI, levels of activity participation are reduced in most aspects of life, but more profoundly in social activities, high demand leisure activities and household activities. Additionally, high levels of depressive symptoms are associated with negative reports of HrQOL, regardless of current levels of activity participation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yael Goverover
- a Department of Occupational Therapy , New York University , New York , NY , USA.,b Kessler Foundation , West Orange , NJ , USA
| | - Helen Genova
- b Kessler Foundation , West Orange , NJ , USA.,c Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University , Newark , NJ , USA
| | | | - Nancy Chiaravalloti
- b Kessler Foundation , West Orange , NJ , USA.,c Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University , Newark , NJ , USA
| | - Jeanie Lengenfelder
- b Kessler Foundation , West Orange , NJ , USA.,c Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University , Newark , NJ , USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Flatt JD, Hughes TF, Documét PI, Lingler JH, Trauth JM, Albert SM. A Qualitative Study on the Types and Purposes of Social Activities in Late Life. ACTIVITIES, ADAPTATION & AGING 2016; 39:109-132. [PMID: 26823639 PMCID: PMC4727247 DOI: 10.1080/01924788.2015.1024485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This qualitative study examines older adults' subjective views on the types and purposes of social activities. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 20 older adults, with low (n = 10) and high (n = 10) memory performance. We used grounded theory methods to analyze the narrative data. Four types of social activities-Altruism, Creativity, Game, and Motion-were identified. The purpose of social activities included enjoyment, relaxation, stimulation, and belongingness. Those in the low memory group seemed to face more barriers to participation. Different types of social activities may be important for cognitive health and well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason D. Flatt
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Tiffany F. Hughes
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Patricia I. Documét
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Jennifer H. Lingler
- Health and Community Systems, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Jeanette M. Trauth
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Steven M. Albert
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Childhood Club Participation and All-Cause Mortality in Adulthood: A 65-Year Follow-Up Study of a Population-Representative Sample in Scotland. Psychosom Med 2015; 77:712-20. [PMID: 26176775 PMCID: PMC4568296 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Social participation in middle and older age is associated with lower mortality risk across many prospective cohort studies. However, there is a paucity of evidence on social participation in youth in relation to mortality, which could help inform an understanding of the origin of the association and give credence to causality. The present study investigates the relation of early-life club membership-a proxy measure of social participation-with mortality risk in older age in a nationally representative sample. METHODS We linked historical data collected on the 6-Day Sample of the Scottish Mental Survey 1947 during the period 1947 to 1963 with vital status records up to April 2014. Analyses were based on 1059 traced participants (446 deceased). RESULTS Club membership at age 18 years was associated with lower mortality risk by age 78 years (hazard ratio = 0.54, 95% confidence interval = 0.44-0.68, p < .001). Club membership remained a significant predictor in models that included early-life health, socioeconomic status, measured intelligence, and teachers' ratings of dependability in personality. CONCLUSIONS In a study that circumvented the problem of reverse causality, a proxy indicator of social participation in youth was related to lower mortality risk. The association may be mediated by several behavioral and neurobiological factors, which prospective aging cohort studies could address.
Collapse
|
43
|
Salthouse TA. Mental Exercise and Mental Aging: Evaluating the Validity of the "Use It or Lose It" Hypothesis. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2015; 1:68-87. [PMID: 26151186 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6916.2006.00005.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 329] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
It is widely believed that keeping mentally active will prevent age-related mental decline. The primary prediction of this mental-exercise hypothesis is that the rate of age-related decline in measures of cognitive functioning will be less pronounced for people who are more mentally active, or, equivalently, that the cognitive differences among people who vary in level of mental activity will be greater with increased age. Although many training studies, and comparisons involving experts, people in specific occupations, and people whose mental activity levels are determined by their self-reports, have found a positive relation between level of activity and level of cognitive functioning, very few studies have found an interactive effect of age and mental activity on measures of cognitive functioning. Despite the current lack of empirical evidence for the idea that the rate of mental aging is moderated by amount of mental activity, there may be personal benefits to assuming that the mental-exercise hypothesis is true.
Collapse
|
44
|
Ansaldo AI, Ghazi-Saidi L, Adrover-Roig D. Interference Control In Elderly Bilinguals: Appearances Can Be Misleading. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2015; 37:455-70. [DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2014.990359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
45
|
Murphy M, O'Sullivan K, Kelleher KG. Daily crosswords improve verbal fluency: a brief intervention study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2014; 29:915-9. [PMID: 24493633 DOI: 10.1002/gps.4079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Revised: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Phonemic verbal fluency (PVF) is a cognitive function that involves serial processes termed clustering and switching and which is impacted in both normal aging and dementia. The cognitive reserve hypothesis suggests that appropriate cognitive stimulation could maintain or improve cognitive performance. This study examines the effect on PVF performance of a brief crossword-based intervention in a cognitively normal, community-based sample. METHODS Thirty-seven members of active retirement groups volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to a crossword group and a control group. The former attempted a crossword daily for 4 weeks while the latter kept a daily gratitude diary for the same period. RESULTS 2 × 2 mixed analyses of variance revealed that the crossword group performed significantly better over time than the control group in both total PVF score and in the cluster size component. CONCLUSION Daily crosswords may be a simple and effective means of bolstering PVF performance in older people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mike Murphy
- School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Reuter-Lorenz PA, Park DC. How does it STAC up? Revisiting the scaffolding theory of aging and cognition. Neuropsychol Rev 2014; 24:355-70. [PMID: 25143069 PMCID: PMC4150993 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-014-9270-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 511] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
"The Scaffolding Theory of Aging and Cognition (STAC)", proposed in 2009, is a conceptual model of cognitive aging that integrated evidence from structural and functional neuroimaging to explain how the combined effects of adverse and compensatory neural processes produce varying levels of cognitive function. The model made clear and testable predictions about how different brain variables, both structural and functional, were related to cognitive function, focusing on the core construct of compensatory scaffolding. The present paper provides a revised model that integrates new evidence about the aging brain that has emerged since STAC was published 5 years ago. Unlike the original STAC model, STAC-r incorporates life-course factors that serve to enhance or deplete neural resources, thereby influencing the developmental course of brain structure and function, as well as cognition, over time. Life-course factors also influence compensatory processes that are engaged to meet cognitive challenge, and to ameliorate the adverse effects of structural and functional decline. The revised model is discussed in relation to recent lifespan and longitudinal data as well as emerging evidence about the effects of training interventions. STAC-r goes beyond the previous model by combining a life-span approach with a life-course approach to understand and predict cognitive status and rate of cognitive change over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Reuter-Lorenz
- Department of Psychology, The University of Michigan, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA,
| | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Maselko J, Sebranek M, Mun MH, Perera B, Ahs J, Ostbye T. Contribution of generative leisure activities to cognitive function in elderly Sri Lankan adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2014; 62:1707-13. [PMID: 25139145 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the unique contribution of generative leisure activities, defined as activities motivated by a concern for others and a need to contribute something to the next generation. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SETTING Peri-urban and rural area in southern Sri Lanka. PARTICIPANTS Community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older (N = 252). MEASUREMENTS The main predictors were leisure activities, grouped into generative, social, or solitary. The main outcome was cognitive function, assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). RESULTS More-frequent engagement in generative leisure activities was associated with higher levels of cognitive function, independent of the effect of other social and solitary leisure activities. In a fully adjusted model combining all three leisure activities, generative activities independently predicted cognitive function as measured using the MoCA (β = 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.11-0.83) and the IQCODE (β = -0.81, 95% CI = -1.54 to -0.09). In this combined model, solitary activities were also independently associated with slower cognitive decline using the MoCA (β = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.16-0.64) but not the IQCODE (β = -0.38, 95% CI = -0.88-0.12); the association with social activities did not reach statistical significance with either measure. These associations did not differ meaningfully according to sex. CONCLUSION Generative leisure activities are a promising area for the development of interventions aimed at reducing cognitive decline in elderly adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Maselko
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Jun HJ. Educational differences in the cognitive functioning of grandmothers caring for grandchildren in South Korea. Res Aging 2014; 37:500-23. [PMID: 25651581 DOI: 10.1177/0164027514545239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the effects of grandchild care on the cognitive functioning of Korean grandmothers and the moderating role of education. Data were drawn from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA), a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older adults (N = 2,341). Contrary to much of the current literature, grandchild care was found to be potentially beneficial for grandmothers. For the entire sample, child care had instantaneous effects on grandmothers' cognition, although there were no longitudinal effects. However, when the sample was divided into grandmothers with higher and lower education, child care was both instantaneously and longitudinally beneficial to cognition for grandmothers with higher education. For less educated grandmothers, child care did not have either immediate or lagged effects on cognition. The results partially support the "Use It or Lose It" hypothesis and the "Scaffolding Theory of Cognitive Aging," suggesting that engagement in social activities is beneficial to cognitive health in later life. Results are congruent with previous studies noting that the effects of grandchild care on grandparents are contingent on various conditions and factors such as the educational level of grandparents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hey Jung Jun
- Department of Child and Family Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Chiao C, Botticello A, Fuh JL. Life-course socio-economic disadvantage and late-life cognitive functioning in Taiwan: results from a national cohort study. Int Health 2014; 6:322-30. [PMID: 25052530 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihu046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Declines in late-life cognitive functioning differ greatly between socio-economic status (SES) groups, but little is known about whether these effects are related to child and adult SES versus SES effects that accumulate over the individual's life course. METHODS An 18-year longitudinal national sample of older adults from Taiwan (n=2944) was used to estimate the effect of socio-economic disadvantage over the individual's life course on cognitive functioning during late life. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the brief Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire scale. Life-course socio-economic disadvantage, as accrued during childhood and adulthood, included measures of paternal education and occupation and participant's education and occupation. RESULTS Multivariate analyses using various mixed-effects models showed that the effects of childhood SES could be largely explained by adult SES and that disadvantageous SES in adulthood further exacerbated declines in late-life cognitive functioning (β=-0.02; p<0.001), even controlling for aging, practice and other covariates. Possible factors that are associated with life-course socio-economic disadvantage and late-life cognitive decline included household income and perception of economic strain. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest a critical role for life-course socio-economic disadvantage in late-life cognitive decline and that this may be manifested via the inequitable distribution of socio-economic resources over the individual's life course.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi Chiao
- Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Amanda Botticello
- Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Center and Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Jong-Ling Fuh
- The Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Fazeli PL, Woods SP, Heaton RK, Umlauf A, Gouaux B, Rosario D, Moore RC, Grant I, Moore DJ. An active lifestyle is associated with better neurocognitive functioning in adults living with HIV infection. J Neurovirol 2014; 20:233-42. [PMID: 24554483 PMCID: PMC4040153 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-014-0240-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Studies of healthy adults show that engagement in physical, social, and mental activities is associated with better cognitive outcomes, suggesting that these activities may increase cognitive reserve. Given the prevalence and real-world impact of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), the present study examined the association between neurocognitive outcomes and self-reported proxies for physical exercise, social activity, and mental activity (employment was used as a proxy for mental activity) among 139 HIV-infected adults (M age = 48.7; 48 % age 50+). Participants completed a neuromedical and neuropsychological battery and were classified based on the number of self-reported active lifestyle factors (ALFs; 0 to 3), including physical exercise, social activity, and current employment. The association between ALFs and both demographically adjusted average neuropsychological T-scores and HAND diagnoses was examined. Results revealed that an increased number of ALFs were associated with better global neurocognitive performance as well as a lower prevalence of HAND. These cross-sectional findings suggest that an active engagement in life may bolster neurocognitive functioning, perhaps by enhancing cognitive and/or brain reserve. However, an alternative explanation might be that persons with better neurocognitive functioning are more inclined and able to engage in these life activities. Future studies should utilize neuroimaging methodology, longitudinal data, and interventional approaches to establish cause-effect relationships and uncover the neural mechanisms whereby physical, social, and mental stimulation may protect neurocognition via cognitive reserve among those living with HIV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pariya L Fazeli
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|