scholarly journals Feasibility trial of an integrated treatment “Activate for Life” for physical and mental well-being in older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 947-948
Author(s):  
Melba Hernandez-Tejada ◽  
Sundaravadivel Balasubramanian ◽  
Alexis Nagel ◽  
Mohan Madisetti ◽  
Teresa Kelechi

Abstract This study describes the feasibility and patient satisfaction for an integrated treatment to address multiple health outcomes in a sample of older adults living in a low-income independent residence facility and their own homes in the community. Specifically, 30 older adults were offered the opportunity to participate in a feasibility study of different components of Activate for Life treatment targeting balance and physical strength (Otago Exercise Program), breathing retraining (Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing), and mental health (Behavioral Activation for Depression). Three treatment combinations were compared in a randomized repeated measures design to determine if adding components to the existing Otago program were feasible and if this affected patient satisfaction. Arm1: the Otago strength and balance program alone (n = 10); Arm 2: Otago + Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing (n = 10); and Arm 3: Otago + Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing + Behavioral Activation (we named this combination ‘Activate for Life’ n = 10). Dependent measures included recruitment rate, session completion characteristics, and satisfaction with the program. Overall, study and treatment components proved feasible, and participants reported high satisfaction with all 3 Arms.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melba A Hernandez-Tejada ◽  
Alexis Nagel ◽  
Mohan Madisetti ◽  
Sundar Balasubramanian ◽  
Teresa Kelechi

Abstract This paper describes feasibility and patient satisfaction for an integrated treatment to address multiple health outcomes in a sample of older adults living in a low-income independent residence facility and their own homes in the community. Specifically, 30 older adults were offered the opportunity to participate in a feasibility study of different components of Activate for Life treatment targeting balance and physical strength (Otago Exercise Program), breathing retraining (Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing), and mental health (Behavioral Activation for Depression). Three treatment combinations were compared in a randomized repeated measures design to determine if adding components to the existing Otago program were feasible and if this affected patient satisfaction. Arm1: the Otago strength and balance program alone (n = 10); Arm 2: Otago + Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing (n = 10); and Arm 3: Otago + Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing + Behavioral Activation (we named this combination ‘Activate for Life’ n = 10). Dependent measures included recruitment rate, session completion characteristics, and satisfaction with the program. Overall, study and treatment components proved feasible, and participants reported high satisfaction with all 3 Arms.


2020 ◽  
pp. 104973152098235
Author(s):  
Kuei-Min Chen ◽  
Hui-Fen Hsu ◽  
Li-Yen Yang ◽  
Chiang-Ching Chang ◽  
Yu-Ming Chen ◽  
...  

Purpose: This study aimed to test the effectiveness of High-Need Community-Dwelling Older Adults Care Delivery Model (HCOACDM) in Taiwan. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial with repeated measures design was conducted in eight community care centers, involving 145 high-need older adults who were assigned to the intervention group or comparison group. The HCOACDM was provided over 6 months. Functional ability, quality of life, depressive symptoms, and health care and social service utilizations were measured at baseline, at 3 months, and 6 months into the intervention. The participants’ satisfaction was measured at the end of 6-month intervention. Results: Positive effects were shown on all variables in the intervention group at both the 3-month and 6-month intervals (all p < .05). The intervention group had a higher satisfaction with care delivery than the comparison group ( p < .05). Discussion: The promising findings supported a long-term implementation of the HCOACDM as applicable and beneficial.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 936-936
Author(s):  
Juliet Sobering ◽  
Lisa Brown

Abstract Older adults are vulnerable to particular risk factors that contribute to lower well-being and poorer functioning. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of social support has been highlighted in media reports because of its well-known beneficial effects on overall well-being. However, as adults age, social networks, contacts, and activities naturally decrease. These age-related losses are often difficult, if not impossible, to replace. Pets have recently been recognized as a valuable source of social support for many older adults, providing both physical and psychological benefits through mutual connection and behavioral activation. Previous studies have examined how human social support or pet social support enhance older adults’ well-being (i.e., positive emotions, engagement, relationships, accomplishment, and meaning). However, there is a gap in our scientific knowledge as previous research has not evaluated if pet social support can serve as a protective factor in the absence of adequate human social support. Current analyses, with 141 older adult participants, suggests that pet owners with a positive attachment to their pet experience higher well-being as pets serve as a coping resource that protects against common life stressors. Similar to human social support, pet social support appears to be a protective factor that also promotes and fosters a sense of well-being in older adults. Support in late life is especially important for families and agencies to be attuned to, especially during a global pandemic.


Author(s):  
Jolie Haun ◽  
Nitin Patel ◽  
Gary Schwartz ◽  
Cheryl Ritenbaugh

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of massage therapy using gas discharge visualization (GDV), a computerized biophysical electrophoton capture (EPC), in tandem with traditional self-report measures to evaluate the use of GDV measurement to assess the bioenergetic whole-person effects of massage therapy.: This study used a single treatment group, pre–post-repeated measures design with a sample of 23 healthy adults. This study utilized a single 50-min full-body relaxation massage with participants. GDV measurement method, an EPC, and traditional paper-based measures evaluating pain, stress, muscle tension, and well-being were used to assess intervention outcomes.: Significant differences were found between pre- and post-measures of well-being, pain, stress, muscle tension, and GDV parameters. Pearson correlations indicate the GDV measure is correlated with pain and stress, variables that impact the whole person.: This study demonstrates that GDV parameters may be used to indicate significant bioenergetic change from pre- to post-massage. Findings warrant further investigation with a larger diverse sample size and control group to further explore GDV as a measure of whole-person bioenergetic effects associated with massage.


2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger E. Mitchell ◽  
Sarah L. Ash ◽  
Jacquelyn W. McClelland

Nutritional well-being among older adults is critical for maintaining health, increasing longevity, and decreasingthe impactofchronicillness. However, few well-controlledstudies have examinednutritionalbehav ior change among low-income older adults. A prospective, controlled, randomized design examined a fivesession nutrition education module delivered to limited-resource older adults ( N = 703) in Congregate Nutrition sites by Cooperative Extensionagents. Experimentalgroupparticipantswere significantly more likely than con trol groupparticipants to increase multivitamin use, to increase calcium supplementuse, to read labels of dietary supplements, to carry a supplement and/or medication list, and to discuss such use with their health care profes sional. The study addresses weaknesses in the literature by using a theoretically derived education component, implementing the intervention within a setting regularly used by low-income older adults, employing random ized assignment to intervention and control conditions, and using hierarchical linear modeling to deal with “nested” data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Laura Sokal ◽  
Brianne Bartel ◽  
Taylor Martin

Post-secondary institutions across North America have adopted animal-assisted activities as a way to promote better mental health in their students. The current research study of 242 Canadian college and university students sought to contribute to our collective understanding of the aspects of the programs and characteristics of students that are related to promotion of better mental health in post-secondary students including decreased stress, and increased happiness and well-being. Results of a repeated measures design showed that students demonstrated greater positive effects on stress, happiness, and well-being when they touched dogs as compared to when they observed them. Furthermore, positive mental health outcomes were correlated with greater durations of contact as well as with higher levels of animal affiliation in students. Implications for post-secondary institutions are discussed. 


Author(s):  
Ilona Stolpner ◽  
Jörg Heil ◽  
Fabian Riedel ◽  
Markus Wallwiener ◽  
Benedikt Schäfgen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Poor patient-reported satisfaction after breast-conserving therapy (BCT) has been associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and subsequent depression in retrospective analysis. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the HRQOL of patients who have undergone BCT using the BREAST-Q, and to identify clinical risk factors for lower patient satisfaction. Methods Patients with primary breast cancer undergoing BCT were asked to complete the BREAST-Q preoperatively (T1) for baseline evaluation, then 3 to 4 weeks postoperatively (T2), and finally 1 year after surgery (T3). Clinicopathologic data were extracted from the patients’ charts. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine significant differences in mean satisfaction and well-being levels among the test intervals. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate risk factors for lower satisfaction. Results The study enrolled 250 patients. The lowest baseline BREAST-Q score was reported for “satisfaction with breast” (mean, 61 ± 19), but this increased postoperatively (mean, 66 ± 18) and was maintained at the 1 year follow-up evaluation (mean, 67 ± 21). “Physical well-being” decreased from T1 (mean, 82 ± 17) to T2 (mean, 28 ± 13) and did not recover much by T3 (mean, 33 ± 13), being the lowest BREAST-Q score postoperatively and in the 1-year follow-up evaluation. In multiple regression, baseline psychosocial well-being, body mass index (BMI), and type of incision were risk factors for lower “satisfaction with breasts.” Conclusion Both the aesthetic/surgery-related and psychological aspects are equally important with regard to “satisfaction with breasts” after BCT. The data could serve as the benchmark for future studies.


Author(s):  
Christina M Patch ◽  
Terry L Conway ◽  
Jacqueline Kerr ◽  
Elva M Arredondo ◽  
Susan Levy ◽  
...  

Abstract As the U.S. population ages, communities must adapt to help older adults thrive. Built environment features, like safe sidewalks and crosswalks, provide the foundation for age- and physical activity-friendly communities. Controlled studies are needed to evaluate advocacy training programs that instruct and support seniors to advocate for more walkable neighborhoods. The Senior Change Makers Pilot Study evaluated an advocacy program that taught seniors to evaluate pedestrian environments using the validated MAPS-Mini audit tool, identify barriers, and advocate for improvements. Participants (n = 50) were recruited from four low-income senior housing sites in San Diego, CA, which were randomly assigned to an 8-week advocacy program or physical activity (PA) comparison intervention. Evaluation included surveys, accelerometers to assess PA, and direct observation. Primary outcomes were seniors’ advocacy confidence and skills. Main analyses used repeated measures ANOVAs. Seniors in the advocacy condition (n = 17) increased their advocacy outcome efficacy (p = .03) and knowledge of resources (p = .04) more than seniors in the PA condition (n = 33). Most seniors in the advocacy condition completed a street audit (84%), submitted an advocacy request (79%), or made an advocacy presentation to city staff (58%). Environmental changes included repairs to sidewalks and crosswalks. City staff approved requests for lighting, curb cuts, and crosswalk markings. Seniors’ accelerometer-measured PA did not significantly increase, but self-reported transportation activity increased in the PA condition (p = .04). This study showed the potential of advocacy training to empower seniors to make communities more age- and activity-friendly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S583-S583
Author(s):  
Philip A Rozario ◽  
Emily Greenfield ◽  
Nancy Kusmaul

Abstract Social networks provide opportunities for engagement with others and structure the receipt and provision of emotional, instrumental, informational and appraisal support. Indeed scholars in this field have documented the importance of having strong social networks in influencing older adults’ well-being and quality of life. The three papers in this symposium draw on the convoy model of social relations and ecological model to examine and better understand the micro, mezzo, macro contexts that shape and influence how older people engage with and benefit from their networks in three areas: low-income senior housing communities, urban areas specifically targeting older Latinos with dementia, and disaster preparedness in micropolitan counties in eastern Iowa. The first paper, a cross-sectional study focusing on social connections in senior housing communities, examines levels of social networks, engagement, support and loneliness and their relationship with well-being outcomes. The second paper, a community-based participatory research project, reports an intervention that seeks to train natural helpers in a predominantly Latino urban neighborhood to identify and refer older Latinos with dementia to bilingual assessment services. The third paper, synthesizing findings from interventions targeting network building at the individual and state levels as well as a community-based network analysis, presents ways to strengthen networks at the mezzo and macro levels as well as environmental contexts that enable better disaster preparedness for community-based older adults. These papers will consider practice, policy and research implications in strengthening social networks and engagement to optimize older adults’ well-being in various settings.


2016 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kaldenberg ◽  
Stacy Smallfield

Introduction The purpose of this feasibility study was to investigate the potential use of a computer tablet as a low vision device to facilitate performance of and satisfaction with daily activities for older adults with low vision. Method A repeated measures design was used to measure outcomes. Four older adult women with low vision completed 10 weekly sessions of group training in tablet use. The feasibility of this research method and intervention was examined by evaluating recruitment capability, data collection procedures, outcome measures, intervention procedures, resources, and preliminary responses to intervention. Results The four participants were all women, with a mean age of 74.25 years (68–81). Visual acuity ranged from 20/160 to 20/4000. Mean change in performance and satisfaction on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure were 3.45 and 3.65, respectively. Daily tablet use increased from 15 minutes at pretest to 3 hours at posttest to 4.5 hours at follow-up. Conclusion Group training in computer tablet use for older adults with low vision shows promise to improve performance and satisfaction in a variety of daily activities. With appropriate resources, the research method is feasible for a larger study examining this community-based intervention for older adults with low vision.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document