Memory Complaint Is a Surrogate for Memory Decline in the Middle-Aged: A Register-Based Study

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Memory Complaints during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Country Survey

This study assessed the associations between psychosocial factors (social isolation, social support, financial support and emotional distress) and memory complaints during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a secondary analysis of data extracted from the dataset of participants recruited from 151 countries for a COVID-19 related mental health and wellness study between June and December 2020. The dependent variable was memory complaint, measured using the Memory Complaint Questionnaire. The independent variables were perception of social isolation, social support, financial support, emotional distress and history of SARS-CoV-19 infection. Confounding variables were age, sex at birth, level of education, employment status, HIV status and country-income level. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the associations between the dependent and independent variables after adjusting for the confounders. Of the 14825 participants whose data was extracted, 2460 (16.6%) had memory complaints. Participants who felt socially isolated (AOR: 1.422; 95% CI: 1.286-1.571), emotionally distressed (AOR: 2.042; 95% CI: 1.850-2.253) and with history of SARS-CoV-19 infection (AOR: 1.369; 95% CI: 1.139-1.646) had significantly higher odds of memory complaints. Participants who perceived they had social and financial support had significantly lower odds of memory complaints (AOR: 0.655; 95% CI: 0.571-0.751). Future management of pandemics like the COVID-19 should promote access to social and financial support and reduce the risk of social isolation and emotional distress.

The effect of mind-body exercise on memory in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The current systematic review aims to examine the effect of mind-body exercise on different memory types in the elderly population.

METHODS

Four literature databases (Pubmed, Cochrane library, Embase and Sinomed) were searched from inception to March 19, 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effect of mind-body exercise on memory in older adults were included. The assessment of risk of bias for the included studies and data synthesis were conducted using the software of review manager 5.3 based on the Cochrane handbook.

RESULTS

Twelve eligible RCTs with a total 1051 participants were identified that met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Meta-analysis in elderly adults without known neurological diseases showed mind-body exercise intervention had a large effect on general memory (SMD = 1.24, p = 0.005), a moderate effect on short-term memory (SMD = 0.51, p = 0.02) and long-term memory (SMD = 0.78, p < 0.001), a small effect on working memory (SMD = 0.28, p = 0.009), and a moderate effect on episodic memory (SMD = 0.74, p < 0.001) and semantic memory (SMD = 0.59, p = 0.003) compared to no specific exercise intervention. Similar results were also found in elderly adults with known neurological diseases, showing a moderate effect on general memory (SMD = 0.56, p < 0.001), short-term memory (SMD = 0.68, p = 0.01), and long-term memory (SMD = 0.80, p = 0.003); a small effect on working memory (SMD = 0.46, p < 0.001); and a large effect on episodic memory (SMD = 0.91, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Compared with no specific exercise, mind-body exercise enhances memory in older adults. However, larger, more robust trials with longer follow-up periods and standardized neuropsychological outcome measures are needed before more definitive conclusions can be drawn.

The use of Bayesian network models to identify factors related to frailty phenotype and health outcomes in middle-aged and older persons

BACKGROUND

Studies on frailty frequently only include older persons. The mapping of factors related to this syndrome and negative outcomes associated with it, also in middle age, may assist in health strategies to each age group.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate social and health factors related to the frailty phenotype and to analyze the probabilistic relationships between frailty, falls and hospitalization in middle-aged and older persons.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study using data for 4442 middle-aged (50-59 years) and older participants (60 years or older) from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) 2015 and 2016. Bayesian network models were estimated with the score-based hill-climbing algorithm to identify factors associated with frailty, falls and hospitalization.

RESULTS

Mean age was 63.7 years, and prevalence of frailty was 8.5 % and 11.9 % among middle-aged and older participants, respectively. In the former, the probability of frailty increased when "poor" self-rated memory was considered in the model; and in the latter, the probability of frailty was greatest among individuals who did not participate socially and had the lowest level of education. In both age groups, frailty was an important factor that influenced the probability of negative health outcomes such as falls and hospitalization. However, this result depended on combinations of health factors in each sample.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has identified potential vulnerabilities that should be considered when undertaking a comprehensive assessment of middle-aged and older persons and developing suitable health strategies for each of these phases of life.