Classification and comparison of the physical characteristics and functions of various age groups of community-dwelling elderly individuals participating in the Kayoi-no-ba program

[Purpose] To classify and compare the physical characteristics and functions of community-dwelling elderly individuals of various age groups participating in the Kayoi-no-ba program. [Participants and Methods] A total of 176 community-dwelling elderly individuals living in six cities and towns in the Niigata Prefecture who participated in the Kayoi-no-ba program between 2018 and 2020 were recruited in this study. Physical characteristics, such as strength, balance, and mobility, were assessed. [Results] Among elderly females and males who participated in the Kayoi-no-ba program, those >80 years of age showed shorter height, lighter weight, and lower body muscle mass than the other age groups. Strength, balance, and mobility functions, including grip strength, sit-to-stand test, single-leg-stand test, and timed up-and-go test, were significantly decreased, especially in patients aged >80 years. [Conclusion] Among community-dwelling elderly individuals participating in the Kayoi-no-ba program, physical characteristics and functions were affected by aging, with significant decline particularly in those aged >80 years old. These findings suggest that early intervention is necessary to maintain muscle mass, strength, balance, and mobility in the elderly.

Dance Exergames for Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis With Narrative Synthesis

BACKGROUND

A systematic review and meta-analysis with narrative synthesis was conducted to evaluate the impact of dance exergaming on older adults' health-related outcomes and its feasibility, usability, and safety.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to December 7, 2023. Interventional studies using immersive or nonimmersive virtual reality platforms conducted on older adults ≥60 years old were eligible. Meta-analysis was conducted using the random effects model by pooling mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences. Outcomes were narratively synthesized when meta-analysis was not possible.

RESULTS

Forty-three articles from 37 studies were included (n = 1 139 participants at baseline). Postintervention, dynamic balance measured using Berg Balance Scale (pooled MD = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.73-3.57, p < .0001), Timed-Up-and-Go times (pooled MD = -1.04, 95% CI: -2.06 to -0.03, p = .04), choice stepping reaction time (pooled MD = -92.48, 95% CI: -167.30 to -17.67, p = .02), and movement time (pooled MD = -50.33, 95% CI: -83.34 to -17.33, p = .003) were significantly better in the experimental group compared to the control group. Adherence ranged from 76.5% to 100%, whereas attrition ranged from 9.1% to 31.9%. Most participants completed the intervention with no or minimal adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Dance exergames are effective, feasible, usable, and safe for older adults. Further research is needed as the findings were limited by small sample sizes. Many studies could not be included in the meta-analysis as outcomes were too varied.

Walking and physical performance in black and white adults with multiple sclerosis controlling for social determinants of health

BACKGROUND

There is evidence for reduced walking and physical performance in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared with healthy controls (HCs). There is further evidence suggesting increased overall mobility disability in Black persons with MS compared with White counterparts, yet little is known about the interplay of social determinants of health (SDOH) when considering differences in walking and physical performance.

PURPOSE

This cross-sectional, comparative study examined differences in walking and physical performance in Black and White persons with MS and HCs (MS Status), statistically controlling for SDOH.

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 208 persons with MS (141 White participants and 67 Black participants) and 95 HCs (59 White participants and 36 Black participants). Walking and physical function were measured using timed 25-foot walk (T25FW), six-minute walk (6MW), timed-up-and-go (TUG), and short physical performance battery (SPPB). We examined the differences in the walking and physical functions as a function of MS Status (MS vs. HCs) and Race (Black vs. White) using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance, controlling for age, sex, marital status and SDOH (i.e., education, employment, income).

RESULTS

There were no significant interactions between MS Status and Race on the outcomes, and the main effects of MS Status and Race remained statistically significant, controlling for SDOH and covariates. The main effects indicated significant lower T25FW (F = 34.6, p < .001, Ƞp2 = 0.11), 6MW (F = 58.5, p < .001, Ƞp2 = 0.18), TUG (F = 22.1, p < .001, Ƞp2 = 0.08), and SPPB (F = 25.2, p < .001, Ƞp2 = 0.09) performance for MS than HCs, and lower T25FW (F = 15.5, p < .001, Ƞp2 = 0.05), 6MW (F = 11.6, p < .001, Ƞp2 = 0.04), and TUG (F = 4.1, p < .05, Ƞp2 = 0.02) performance in Black than White samples.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that MS Status and Race independently influence walking and physical performance even after accounting for SDOH, and Black persons with MS have compromised walking and physical performance, perhaps necessitating focal rehabilitation.

Association Between Internet Use, Sleep, Cognition and Physical Activity Levels During COVID-19 Lockdown

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare internet usage, sleep, cognition and physical activity in college professors and collegiate students during COVID-19 lockdown and to study the association of internet overuse with sleep quality, cognition and physical activity during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Methods

A sample of 125 participants {professors (n = 52) and collegiate students (n = 73)} was recruited from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India. Criteria for inclusion were college professors and collegiate students who uses internet. Both the groups were assessed for internet usage (Internet Addiction Test), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), cognition (Cognitive Failure Questionnaire) and physical activity (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire) via google forms.

Results

There was a significant difference for internet usage (p < 0.05), sleep quality (p = 0.032), cognition (distractibility, p = 0.019) and physical activity in college professors and collegiate students. It has been also reported that there was a significant association of internet usage with sleep quality and cognition and sleep quality with cognition.

Conclusion

Students have more problematic internet usage, bad sleep quality, more cognitive failures and less physical activity than college professors during pandemic lockdown. It has been also observed that problematic internet usage has correlation with sleep quality, cognition and physical activity.

Higher dietary diversity and better healthy aging: A 4-year study of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study of Aging

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between dietary diversity and healthy aging (in terms of mobility performance, physical functions, cognitive functions, and depressive symptoms) among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults by using a nationally representative population-based cohort study.

METHODS

Data from 3213 study participants in the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (TLSA) were retrieved for analysis, and all participants were divided into five groups according to the quintile of dietary variety scores (DVSs). In the 4-year follow-up study, multivariate logistic regression models were applied to investigate the associations between DVS subgroups and declines in mobility performance, physical function (activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)), cognitive function and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

In this study, the DVS quintile identified people who were significantly vulnerable in diet quality. Among those in the lowest DVS quintile, the proportions consuming seafood, eggs, and beans/legumes per week were 0.3 %, 7.8 % and 12.6 %, respectively, while among those in the highest DVS quintile, the proportions were 40.2 %, 83.1 %, and 82.7 %, respectively. "Inverse" dose-response associations were observed between the DVS and the risks of decline in mobility performance, physical function (ADLs and IADLs), cognitive function, and depressive symptoms. These risks decreased with the higher DVS quintile group as compared to the lowest DVS quintile group. Even after adjustments for demographics, health behaviors (e.g., physical activity) and comorbidities, participants in the highest DVS quintile group were still associated with the lowest risk of decline in ADLs (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.59 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.37-0.94], p < 0.05) and IADLs (aOR 0.53 [0.39-0.73], p < 0.01). However, no such association was observed in the risk of worsened mobility performance, cognitive function and depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, higher dietary diversity has protective effects in declines in multidimensional outcomes associated with healthy aging, particularly physical (ADL and IADL) functions, among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. Intervention studies are needed to confirm the causal relationships between dietary diversity and healthy aging.

Associations between physical function, falls, and the fear of falling among older adults participating in a community-based physical exercise program: A longitudinal multilevel modeling study

OBJECTIVES

Exercises that target muscle strength, balance, and gait prevent falls in older people. Moreover, exercise may reduce fear of falling by improving physical function. Many studies have examined the risk factors for falls and fear of falling separately. However, few studies have examined the associations between physical function, falls, and fear of falling simultaneously. This study aimed to identify the key physical functions influencing falls and fear of falling.

DESIGN

Longitudinal observational study SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This study included 2,397 older adults (women: 82.8%, mean age: 74.3 ± 8.0 years) who participated in community-based physical exercise.

METHODS

Physical functions such as muscle strength, balance, gait speed, and flexibility were measured regularly during the program. A questionnaire regarding falls and fear of falling was also administered simultaneously. Multilevel modeling was used to investigate the association between physical function and falls and fear of falling.

RESULTS

The prevalence of falls and fear of falling at enrolment were 27.1% and 49.8%, respectively. Statistical analyses revealed that (1) falls were significantly associated with balance, age, fall history, fear of falling, and duration of participation; (2) fear of falling was significantly associated with muscle strength, balance, gait speed, age, and fall history. Long-term participation was significantly associated with an improvement in balance.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The risk factors for falls and fear of falling were different. Our research showed the importance of including balance training in all prevention programs.

Effects of exergames and cognitive-motor dual-task training on cognitive, physical and dual-task functions in cognitively healthy older adults: An overview

This overview aims to summarize the effectiveness of cognitive-motor dual-task and exergame interventions on cognitive, physical and dual-task functions in healthy older adults, as well as the feasibility, safety, adherence, transfer and retention of benefits of these interventions. We searched for systematic reviews or meta-analyses assessing the effects of cognitive-motor dual-task and exergame interventions on cognitive, physical and dual-task functions in cognitively healthy older adults through eight databases (CDSR (Cochrane), MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest and SportDiscus). Two reviewers performed the selection, data extraction and risk of bias evaluation independently (PROSPERO ID: CRD42019143185). Eighteen reviews were included in this overview. Overall, positive effects of cognitive-motor dual-task interventions on cognitive, physical and dual-task functions, as well as exergames on cognitive functions only, were observed in cognitively healthy older adults. In contrast, the effects of exergames on physical functions are more controversial, and their effects on dual-task functions have not been studied. The feasibility, safety, adherence, transfer and retention of benefits for both intervention types are still unclear. Future studies should follow more rigorous methodological standards in order to improve the quality of evidence and provide guidelines for the use of cognitive-motor dual-task and exergame interventions in older adults.

Role of physical function in predicting short-term treatment outcome in Egyptian acute myeloid leukemia patients: a single center experience

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a potentially fatal hematological disease. Along with disease-related factors, patient-related factors, in particular age, are a strong predictor of outcome that influence treatment decisions. Many acute myeloid leukemia risk stratification models have been developed to predict the outcome of intensive chemotherapy. However, these models did not include physical function assessments.

Methods

This study investigated the impact of several factors, namely the performance status, physical function and age on the short-term outcomes of intensive chemotherapy in a cohort of 50 Egyptian patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia.

Results

Complete remission after intensive chemotherapy in these myeloid leukemia patients at Day 28 was 56% and the mortality rate was 12% and 34% at Day 28 and Day 60, respectively. The pretreatment Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score was significantly correlated with outcomes on Day 28 and Day 60 (p-value = 0.041 and p-value = 0.032, respectively). There were significant correlations between the two-minute walk test and outcomes of therapy on Day 28 and 60 (p-value = 0.032 and p-value = 0.047, respectively) and between grip strength test and outcomes of therapy on Day 28 and 60 (p-value = 0.046 and p-value = 0.047 respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between chair stand test and outcome of therapy on Day 28 (p-value = 0.023).

Conclusion

Performance status and physical function assessments were strong predictors of outcome of intensive chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia and we recommend the incorporation of these variables in risk stratification models for the personalization of therapy before treating acute myeloid leukemia patients with intensive chemotherapy.

Effects of Physical Activity in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND/AIMS

There is no consensus regarding the optimal nonpharmacological intervention to slow down dementia-related decline. We examined whether physical stimulation interventions were effective in reducing cognitive, physical, mood, and behavioral decline in nursing home residents with dementia.

METHODS

Eighty-seven nursing home residents with dementia were randomly assigned to 3 physical activity interventions: activities of daily living (ADL) training, multicomponent exercise training, or combined multicomponent exercise and ADL training. Outcomes were measured at baseline, and after 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

A 6-month ADL training benefitted executive functions, physical endurance, and depression among men. Exercise training benefitted only grip strength of participants with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment. A combined training benefitted functional mobility compared to ADL training, depressive symptoms and agitation compared to exercise training, and physical endurance compared to no physical stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

ADL training appears to be effective for nursing home residents with moderately severe dementia. It remains unclear whether exercise training is an effective type of stimulation.

Effects of increased physical activity on body composition, physical functions, vascular functions, HR-QOL, and self-efficacy in community-dwelling elderly people

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of increased number of steps on body composition, physical functions, vascular functions, health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and self-efficacy in elderly people. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 47 elderly persons who resided in Port Island in the Chuo Ward of Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. After the calculation of the mean preintervention physical activity (PA), the subjects were instructed to increase their PA to a target baseline + 1,300 steps/day. Body composition, physical functions, vascular functions, HR-QOL, and self-efficacy were measured at baseline, after 3 and 6 months. These items were compared between a group that increased their PA and a group that did not. [Results] After 6 months, 26.1% of the subjects achieved the PA target. No significant improvements were observed in body composition, physical functions, vascular functions, or self-efficacy for either group after 3 and 6 months. However, the HR-QOL improved significantly after 6 months in the achievement group. [Conclusion] Although the intervention to increase PA did not produce significant improvements after 6 months in body composition, physical functions, vascular functions, or self-efficacy, the HR-QOL improved significantly during this relatively short period.

Association between occlusal force and physical functions in preschool children: a comparison of males and females

[Purpose] To determine and compare changes over time in the physical strength of male and female children aged 4–5 years by measuring physical functions such as occlusal forces. [Subjects and Methods] The occlusal force, weight, height, grip strength, standing long jump, ball throwing, timed up and go (TUG), and the 25-m run time were measured of 331 children to determine their physical strength. All the children understood and were capable of completing all tests. [Results] Occlusal force among male infants significantly correlated with all items except ball throwing. Stepwise multiple regression analysis independently associated occlusal force with grip strength. In contrast, occlusal force of female infants significantly correlated with all the tested items. Stepwise multiple regression analysis also independently associated occlusal force with grip strength and TUG in females. [Conclusion] Grip strength indicating upper-limb muscle strength correlated with occlusal forces in both male and female children, whereas TUG, balance and walking ability indicating muscle strength of the lower limbs, correlated with items relevant to everyday functions in female infants. These findings show that different factors are involved in the occlusal forces of male and female children.

Comparison of the effects of water- and land-based exercises on the physical function and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly people with history of falling: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of water-based exercises on the physical functions and quality of life (QOL) in community-dwelling elderly people with history of falling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants were randomly assigned to the water-based exercise group (n=34) or land-based exercise groups (n=32). To identify the effects on physical functions, muscle strength, flexibility, and mobility were measured. QOL and fear of falling were evaluated using the Short Form 36-item questionnaire and the modified falls efficacy scale (M-FES). The measurements were performed before and after the 10-week training period.

RESULTS

Within-group analysis indicated that hip abduction and adduction strength improved significantly in both groups (p=0.005; p=0.007). However, no statistically significant within-group differences were found in the back scratch test (p=0.766) and chair sit-and-reach test (p=0.870). QOL was significantly different in both groups (health transition: p=0.014, physical functioning: p<0.001, role physical: p<0.001, role emotional: p=0.002, bodily pain: p<0.001, vitality: p<0.001, and mental health: p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the M-FES in both groups (p=0.040).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that water-based exercises are beneficial to improve the QOL, as well as physical activities, of community-dwelling elderly compared with land-based exercise. Water-based exercises would be useful to improve physical and psychological health in the elderly people with history of falling.

Relationships between the Occlusal Force and Physical/Cognitive Functions of Elderly Females Living in the Community

[Purpose] The present study, was conducted to examine the occlusal force and physical, cognitive, and attentional functions of elderly females living in the community to evaluate the significance of measuring the occlusal force. [Subjects and Methods] The number of subjects was 104. The Occlusal Force Meter GM10 was used to measure their occlusal force. Their physical functions were assessed using eight examinations, including the 30-second Chair Stand Test, and the cognitive functions of the Mini-Mental State Examination and attention functions of the Trail Making Test. [Results] Significant correlations were noted between the occlusal force and all measurements, except for the results of forward bending in a sitting position. Multiple regression analysis was conducted with the occlusal force as an objective variable, and significant partial correlations were noted with the 30-second Chair Stand Test. [Conclusion] These results suggest that it is necessary to provide the elderly with comprehensive support focusing on maintaining their occlusal force, as a nursing care-prevention measure, to help them continue to live a healthy, independent life.