scholarly journals Exploring the Effects of Arts Intervention Groups on Well-Being Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 29-29
Author(s):  
Emily Ihara ◽  
Kathryn McNeil ◽  
Adriana Lopez-Piper ◽  
Maxine Eber ◽  
Catherine Tompkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Social Conversation ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Engaging in the arts reportedly improves well-being, but research is limited on the specific effects for community-dwelling older adults. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine how taking part in different arts interventions (dance & music), affects older adults’ overall well-being compared to a social conversation control group. Sixty-four participants (mean = 71 years old) participated twice weekly in a 10-week intervention that included ballroom dancing (n=23), ukulele playing (n=17), and social conversation (n=24). At the conclusion, three focus groups were held to assess participants’ experiences and subjective evaluation of the interventions’ impact. Twenty-two out of the sixty-four participants (dance= 8, ukulele = 6, social conversation = 8) took part in focus groups. Transcripts of the recorded focus groups were independently coded and compared. Common themes were agreed-upon by two researchers. Focus groups revealed positive outcomes for participants in all three groups. Several themes emerged across the intervention groups compared to the control group, including participants feeling challenged as they crossed their comfort zones, reporting increased confidence, enhanced social connections, and a sense of accomplishment when learning new skills. Community-dwelling older adults reported improved health-related outcomes after taking part in arts and social conversation sessions. Implementation of community-engaged arts intervention programs for older adults in the future may examine motivators which attract participants, foster positive social connections during sessions, and use participant-empowering pedagogical adaptations to retain participants. These factors can increase the efficacy of arts-engaged programs and help improve well-being in older adults.

A Novel Participant-Empowered Pedagogical Approach to Engage and Retain Control Group Participants in Arts-Based Randomized Controlled Trials

2021 ◽  
pp. 104438942199735
Author(s):  
Holly C. Matto ◽  
Emily S. Ihara ◽  
Catherine Tompkins ◽  
Kathryn McNeil ◽  
Adriana Lopez-Piper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Social Conversation ◽  
Arts Programs ◽  
Ballroom Dance

The overall purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to examine the effect of arts classes (ballroom dance and ukulele) on older adults’ well-being compared with a social conversation control group. This article describes a novel participant-empowered pedagogical approach to enhance control group retention and engagement. Sixty-four participants ( M = 71 years) participated twice weekly in a 10-week intervention that included ballroom dancing ( n = 23), ukulele playing ( n = 17), and social conversation ( n = 24). Focus group themes revealed participants felt challenged as they crossed their comfort zones, increased confidence, and enhanced social connections. Community-engaged arts programs for older adults should further examine mechanisms that foster positive social connections during sessions, paying special attention to the design of the control group condition in RCTs where competing arts-based intervention groups may be more desirable to participants.

Effects of Aerobic, Resistance, or Combined Exercise Training Among Older Adults with Subjective Memory Complaints: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Taeko Makino ◽  
Hiroyuki Umegaki ◽  
Masahiko Ando ◽  
Xian Wu Cheng ◽  
Koji Ishida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Logical Memory ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background: Physical exercise is suggested to be effective for preventing cognitive decline in older adults, but the relative efficacy of different types of exercise have yet to be clarified. Objective: This single-blinded randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate the differential effects of aerobic exercise training (AT), resistance exercise training (RT), and combined exercise training (CT) on cognition in older adults with subjective memory complaints (SMC). Methods: Community-dwelling older adults with SMC (n = 415; mean age = 72.3 years old) were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: AT, RT, CT, or control group. The study consisted of two phases: a 26-week intervention and a 26-week follow-up. The participants were evaluated at baseline, 26 weeks (postintervention), and 52 weeks (follow-up). The primary outcome of this study was memory function, which was assessed using the Logical Memory II subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) score. The secondary outcomes included global cognitive function, verbal fluency, working memory, processing speed, and executive functions. Results: Intention-to-treat analysis by a mixed-effect model repeated measure showed that the AT group had significantly improved performance on the WMS-R Logical Memory II test (2.74 [1.82–3.66] points) than the control group (1.36 [0.44–2.28] points) at the postintervention assessment (p = 0.037). The effect was more pronounced in those without amnesia than those with amnesia. No significant improvement was observed in the RT and CT groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that AT intervention can improve delayed memory in community-dwelling older adults, particularly in individuals without objective memory decline.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of a Dyadic Pain Management Program for Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Chronic Pain: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (14) ◽  
pp. 4966
Author(s):  
Ziyan Li ◽  
Mimi Tse ◽  
Angel Tang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pain Management Program ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: Chronic pain is a major health problem among older adults and their informal caregivers, which has negative effects on their physical and psychological status. The dyadic pain management program (DPMP) is provided to community-dwelling older adults and informal caregivers to help the dyads reduce pain symptoms, improve the quality of life, develop good exercise habits, as well as cope and break the vicious circle of pain. Methods: A pilot randomized controlled trial was designed and all the dyads were randomly divided into two groups: the DPMP group and control group. Dyads in the DPMP group participated in an 8-week DPMP (4-week face-to-face program and 4-week home-based program), whereas dyads in the control group received one page of simple pain-related information. Results: In total, 64 dyads participated in this study. For baseline comparisons, no significant differences were found between the two groups. After the interventions, the pain score was significantly reduced from 4.25 to 2.57 in the experimental group, respectively. In the repeated measures ANOVA, the differences in pain score (F = 107.787, p < 0.001, d = 0.777) was statistically significant for the group-by-time interaction. After the interventions, the experimental group participants demonstrated significantly higher pain self-efficacy compared with the control group (F = 80.535, p < 0.001, d = 0.722). Furthermore, the elderly increased exercise time significantly (F = 111.212, p < 0.001, d = 0.782) and reported developing good exercise habits. Conclusions: These results provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of a DPMP for relieving the symptoms of chronic pain among the elderly.

Comparing the Effects of Single-Task versus Dual-Task Balance Training on Gait Smoothness and Functional Balance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Samira Javadpour ◽  
Ehsan Sinaei ◽  
Reza Salehi ◽  
Shahla Zahednejad ◽  
Alireza Motealleh
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Training Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

To compare the effects of single- versus dual-task balance training on the gait smoothness and balance of community-dwelling older adults, 69 volunteers were randomized to single-, dual-task training, and control (no intervention) groups. Exercises were received in 18 sessions through 6 weeks. The gait smoothness was measured by the harmonic ratio of trunk accelerations using a triaxial accelerometer. Balance performance was assessed through the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale, Timed Up and Go test, Activities-specific Balance Confidence, and gait speed. After the trial, all variables improved significantly in the training groups. Moreover, differences in the mean change of all variables, except the Timed Up and Go test, were statistically significant between the interventional groups and the control group, but no significant difference was reported between the two training groups. This study suggests that balance training can improve gait smoothness as well as balance status in healthy older adults.

scholarly journals Effect of various exercises on frailty among older adults with subjective cognitive concerns: a randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1011-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi Hsien Huang ◽  
Hiroyuki Umegaki ◽  
Taeko Makino ◽  
Kazuki Uemura ◽  
Takahiro Hayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background Physical exercise has been linked to reduced frailty, but there is insufficient evidence of beneficial effects in community-dwelling older adults with subjective cognitive concerns. Objective This study aimed to clarify the effects of physical exercise in this population. Design Single-blind randomised controlled trial. Setting Community sports centres. Participants Residents aged 65–85 years were screened using the Kihon checklist; those with subjective cognitive concerns were invited for eligibility assessment. In total, 415 community-dwelling older adults were enrolled and randomised. Methods This trial investigated the effects of aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT) and combined training (AT+RT) programs on reducing frailty. All participants were randomised into one of the three intervention groups or the control group. Participants in the intervention groups underwent a group training program and self-paced home training for 26 weeks. The control group received lectures about health promotion. A 95-item frailty index (FI) was utilised to determine the effects of training. Participants were followed up at weeks 26 and 52. Results At baseline, mean age of all participants (47% women) was 72.3 ± 4.6 years, with a mean FI score of 0.3 ± 0.1. Compared with control group, AT improved total FI by 0.020 (CI −0.039 to −0.001, effect size −0.275) and the depression and anxiety component of FI by 0.051 (CI −0.084 to −0.018, effect size −0.469) at week 26, but the effects waned at week 52. No significant differences in FI were found in RT and AT+RT groups at weeks 26 and 52. Conclusions A 26-week AT reduced frailty modestly, especially in the depression and anxiety component, in older adults with subjective cognitive concerns.

scholarly journals “Where-There-Is-No-Psychiatrist Integrated Personal Therapy” among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9514
Author(s):  
Shefaly Shorey ◽  
Ee Heok Kua ◽  
Wilson Tam ◽  
Valerie Chan ◽  
Yong Shian Goh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

In Singapore, many older adults suffer from subsyndromal depression and/or subsyndromal anxiety, which can negatively impact their physical and mental well-being if left untreated. Due to the general public’s reluctance to seek psychological help and the low psychiatrist-to-population ratio in Singapore, this study aims to examine the preliminary efficacy, perceptions, and acceptability of a trained volunteer-led community-based intervention on community-dwelling older adults. Twenty-one participants (control: n = 11; intervention: n = 10) completed the randomized pilot study. A mixed-methods approach (questionnaires, semistructured interviews, examining blood samples, intervention fidelity) was adopted. No significant differences were found between the intervention and the control groups in depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, friendship, and quality of life. However, there was a positive change in quality-of-life scores from baseline to 6 months in the intervention group. The control group had significantly higher cortisol levels and lower annexin-A1 levels at 6 months, while the intervention group did not. Three themes emerged from the interviews: (1) impact of the intervention on older adults’ well-being, (2) attitudes toward intervention, and (3) a way forward. However, intervention efficacy could not be established due to small sample size caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Future randomized controlled trials should evaluate volunteer-led, technology-based psychosocial interventions to support these older adults.

scholarly journals Effects of Exercise Training Combined with Increased Physical Activity to Prevent Chronic Pain in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Hirase ◽  
Hideki Kataoka ◽  
Shigeru Inokuchi ◽  
Jiro Nakano ◽  
Junya Sakamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objective. With the aim of developing a chronic pain prevention program, this randomized controlled trial examined whether exercise training combined with increased physical activity more effectively improves pain and physical activity than exercise training alone in community-dwelling older adults without chronic pain. Methods. We randomized 76 older adults without chronic pain into an intervention group n=38 involving exercise training combined with increased physical activity and a control group n=38 involving exercise training alone. The exercise training comprised weekly 60-min sessions for 12 weeks. The program to increase physical activity required participants to record their daily step counts using pedometers. Pain intensity, total number of pain sites, and physical activity were assessed before and 12 weeks after the intervention. Results. A time-by-group interaction was found for physical activity, with the intervention group showing significant improvement p<0.05. The intervention group also showed greater improvement in pain intensity and total number of pain sites at 12 weeks after intervention than the control group p<0.05. Conclusions. In older adults without chronic pain, exercise training combined with increased physical activity improves key outcome indicators more effectively than exercise training alone. “This trial is registered with UMIN000018503.”

Multicomponent intervention combining a cognitive stimulation group and tai chi to reduce cognitive decline among community-dwelling older adults with probable dementia: A multi-center, randomized controlled trial

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 2073-2089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Kim-Wan Young
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multicomponent Intervention ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Stimulation Group

Objective This research study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention that combines a cognitive stimulation group and tai chi to reduce cognitive decline among community-dwelling Chinese older adults with probable dementia. Methods A multi-center, randomized controlled trial design was adopted in this study. In addition to treat as usual, the treatment group ( n = 41) participated in a structured cognitive stimulation group followed by tai chi twice a week, with a total of 14 sessions held during the study period. The control group ( n = 39) received treat as usual. Mattis Dementia Rating Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination were used for assessing the cognitive abilities of participants in the pre- and post-treatment periods. Results A 2 × 2 repeated measures analysis of covariance demonstrated that the treatment group was more effective than the control group on improving Dementia Rating Scale score ( F = 7.45, p < .01) with a moderate effect size (partial eta square = .09) and Mini-Mental State Examination score ( F = 9.96, p < .01) with a moderate to large effect size (partial eta square = .12) after controlling for age, gender, educational level, marital status, and number of physical illnesses. Conclusion The present study demonstrates the effectiveness of the multicomponent intervention on improving cognitive ability among community-dwelling older adults with probable dementia, suggesting that the multicomponent intervention can facilitate early identification, assessment, and treatment for community-dwelling older adults with probable dementia.

Immersive virtual reality exergames to promote well-being of community-dwelling older adults: a mixed-methods pilot study protocol (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira Mehrabi ◽  
John Edison Muñoz ◽  
Aysha Basharat ◽  
Jennifer Boger ◽  
Shi Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
At Home

BACKGROUND Despite the proven benefits of exercise in older adults, challenges such as access and motivation can deter older adults’ engagement. Interactive virtual reality games that are combined with exercise (VR exergames) are a plausible strategy to encourage physical activity among this population. However, there has been little research regarding the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of deploying at-home VR exergames among community-dwelling older adults. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this pilot study are to i) estimate the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a co-designed VR exergame in community-dwelling older adults; ii) examine the feasibility of the intervention and assessment protocols to use them in a future large-scale trial; and iii) provide pilot data on outcomes of interest including physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, mood, cognition, perception, and gameplay metrics. METHODS The pilot study will be a remote, 6-week intervention study consisting of an experimental and a control group. A sample of at least 12 community-dwelling older adults (with no or mild cognitive impairment) will be recruited for each group. Both participant groups will follow the same study procedures and assessment methods. However, participants in the experimental group will engage with a co-designed VR exergame (Seas The Day) three times/week for approximately 20 minutes, using the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. Those recruited for the control study will not have exposure to the exergame and instead they will read thrice/week for approximately 20 minutes over the 6-week period. A mixed-methods evaluation will be used. Changes in physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, mood, cognition, and perception will be analyzed pre- and post-acute as well as pre- and post-6 weeks between the experimental (exergaming) and control (reading) groups. Qualitative data from post-intervention focus groups/interviews, as well as informal notes and reports from all participants, will be analyzed to assess the feasibility of the study protocol. Qualitative data from the experimental group will also be analyzed to assess the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of at-home VR exergame and explore perceived facilitators and barriers of uptaking VR systems among community-dwelling older adults. RESULTS The screening and recruitment process for the experimental group started in May 2021 and the data collection process will be ongoing until September 2021. Recruitment process for the control group has not started, however, data collection will be complete by December 2021. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study with an experimental and control group will provide important information on the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of a custom-made VR exergaming intervention to promote older adults’ well-being. Findings from this study will be useful to inform the methodology, design, study procedures, and assessment protocol for future large-scale trials of VR exergames with older adults as well as deepening the understanding of remote deployment and at-home use of VR for older adults exercise.

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