scholarly journals A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF DIGITAL INTERVENTIONS ADDRESSING MENTAL DISORDERS AMONG THE ELDERLY POPULATION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S513-S514
Author(s):  
Md Mahbub Hossain ◽  
Samia Tasnim ◽  
Abida Sultana ◽  
Nishat Tasnim Hasan ◽  
Hoimonty Mazumder ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Many studies have reported the widespread application of digital technologies in improving mental health. However, little is known about how these technological advancements can help the geriatric population who suffer from a wide range of mental disorders. There is no extensive review of evidence which can guide effective policy-making and implementation of such interventions. Objectives: To identify digital interventions addressing mental disorders among elderly people and evaluate the outcomes of these interventions. Methodology: According to the PRISMA guidelines, we searched six major health databases and screened the literature using these criteria: 1) journal articles reporting an intervention delivered using any of the digital platforms, 2) the interventions aimed to improve at least one mental disorder among geriatric population, 3) articles published in English language, 4) studies conducted in in any settings and time frame reporting any of the mental health-related outcomes. Results: Among 4870 articles found in the preliminary literature search, only 19 studies met our criteria. Most of the studies (n=14) described digital interventions addressing depressive illness among the elderly population. However, many interventions targeted multiple mental conditions including dementia, stress, anxiety, mood disorders, phobia, and functional disabilities. These interventions used internet-based therapies, mindfulness, digital assistants, and applications improving mental health behavior and practices. Most of the interventions (n=12) were evaluated using randomized study designs. Reported outcomes included improved symptoms, better quality of living, emotional and functional advancements, and decreased cost of treatment. This evidence necessitates further research and application of such technologies to improve geriatric mental health.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-63
Author(s):  
Nikolay Grigorievich Neznanov ◽  
Lev Savvich Kruglov ◽  
Vladimir Yuryevich Serpov ◽  
Ismayil Hikmat Atayev ◽  
Inna Valentinovna Kiseleva ◽  
...  

Data exists showing a significant prevalence of mental disorders in the growing elderly population, but indices have a fairly wide range. This study’s aim was to analyze the frequency and variants of such disorders of the elderly in geriatrician attendance and their influence on social functioning.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. 96-97
Author(s):  
Sofia Ramos Ferreira ◽  
Daniela Pereira ◽  
Horácio Firmino

Background:Since the disease caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, countries around the globe adopted measures of social distancing to limit the spread of the virus. Although social distancingmeasures are essential preventive mechanisms, they can promote feelings of loneliness and influence the onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disorders. Current knowledge about the impact of COVID-19 on mental health - and in particular on mental health of the geriatric population - is still scarce.Research Objective:The present review aimed to analyze the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the elderly´s mental health and to suggest measures that can mitigate this impact.Method:A non-systematic review of the literature, through bibliographic research in Pubmed and Embase databases - using the keywords “COVID-19", “SARS-CoV-2", “Coronavirus”, “Aging”, “Older adults”, “Elderly”, “Quarantine” and “Mental health” -was performed.Preliminary results of the ongoing study:The available literature points towards a likely increase in mental disorders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomena may be particularly relevant in the elderly population. Several measures – pharmacological and non-pharmacological – can help to maintain the physical and mental health of the elderly.Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic had an important impact in elderly’s mental health. This subject should be addressed by profissionals/caregivers and measures tominimize negative consequences are in order.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110590
Author(s):  
Souvik Dubey ◽  
Samya Sengupta ◽  
Ritwik Ghosh ◽  
Mahua Jana Dubey ◽  
Subham Chatterjee ◽  
...  

The elderly population is a sensitive and delicate cohort of society who is being compelled to bear the significant smoulders of disruptive social behavior of humankind amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim for this review was (1) to find out the root of disruption of societal integrity and self-centeredness by analyzing the spokes of HEXACO; (2) to delineate their possible relationships with the formation of Neuroticism and eventually Psychopathy, which have endangered human civilization the most in this pandemic; and (3) to search for the potential ways to get rid of these dark times. The constellation of different negative human behaviors probably originate from the negative deflection of components of the HEXACO model of personality towards the genesis of the dark triad. COVID-19 pandemic and upsurge of the dark triad in the form of Neuroticism, Narcissism and Machiavellianism potentially portend major mental health threats. Cultivation and practice of positive emotions and triumph of honesty, humility and humanity are imperative to save the mankind from the savagery of this pandemic.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yan Xu ◽  
Wantian Cui

BACKGROUND: China’s atmospheric PM2.5 pollution is serious, and PM2.5 exerts a negative impact on the human respiratory system, cardiovascular, and mental health, and even more serious health risk for the elderly with weak immunity. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to analyse the impacts of PM2.5 microenvironment exposure on the health of the elderly and provide corresponding countermeasures. METHODS: The survey subjects are 118 retired elderly people in the community. PM2.5 exposure concentrations are monitored in summer (June 10 ∼ July 10, 2019) and winter (November 25 ∼ December 25, 2019). RESULTS: The exposure concentration in winter is higher than that in summer, with statistical difference (P <  0.05). Under the impact of PM2.5 microenvironment exposure, smoking in the elderly can increase the concentration of PM2.5, and long-term exposure to PM2.5 in the elderly can cause mental health problems. CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure of the elderly to the PM2.5 microenvironment leads to physical diseases and even psychological problems, which requires attention.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perla Werner

Studies on laypersons' beliefs and knowledge about mental disorders have proliferated in recent years. However, attention has been focused mainly on depression and schizophrenia and on young adults. The aim of this paper is to summarize research in the area, and to discuss the need to expand research in the elderly population. The unique characteristics of older persons in terms of the prevalence and type of mental disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias, as well as in terms of their being victims of “double jeopardy” require special attention and research. The present review has three main objectives. First, it summarizes the findings of studies examining different aspects of mental health literacy. Second, the importance of age in the study of mental health literacy is discussed. Third, findings of the few studies examining laypersons' beliefs in the area of AD are presented. Finally, research directions are suggested with special emphasis on the importance of geriatric mental health and mental health literacy.


1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitomo Takahashi ◽  
Hideto Hirasawa ◽  
Keiko Koyama ◽  
Osamu Asakawa ◽  
Matazo Kido ◽  
...  

Although individuals aged 65 and over accounted for 12% of the total population of Japan in 1990, suicides in this age group consisted of 29% of all suicides. The elderly population of Japan is expected to grow rapidly to 24% of the total population by the year 2020, and suicide prevention for the elderly is an urgent mental health problem. Among a total of 1,216 elderly patients who were admitted to the Department of Psychiatry at Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital between April 1980 and March 1990, 50 were hospitalized immediately after suicide attempts in order to study their psychosociomedical problems. Because early diagnosis of depression and initiation of proper treatment are indispensable—even if patients do not show obvious depressive symptoms—those who develop persistent somatization and/or delirium should be considered highly suicidal and given special attention. With the cooperation of mental health professionals, it is necessary to educate general practitioners, the public, and the elderly themselves about characteristics of psychiatric disorders and various problems associated with aging. Further research on other elderly Japanese populations, as well as research that examines suicide completion, is needed to confirm the findings of the present study.


2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (16) ◽  
pp. 2730-2739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate M. Scott ◽  
Sukanta Saha ◽  
Carmen C.W. Lim ◽  
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola ◽  
Ali Al-Hamzawi ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundPrevious work has identified associations between psychotic experiences (PEs) and general medical conditions (GMCs), but their temporal direction remains unclear as does the extent to which they are independent of comorbid mental disorders.MethodsIn total, 28 002 adults in 16 countries from the WHO World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys were assessed for PEs, GMCs and 21 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) mental disorders. Discrete-time survival analyses were used to estimate the associations between PEs and GMCs with various adjustments.ResultsAfter adjustment for comorbid mental disorders, temporally prior PEs were significantly associated with subsequent onset of 8/12 GMCs (arthritis, back or neck pain, frequent or severe headache, other chronic pain, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and peptic ulcer) with odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 1.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–1.5] to 1.9 (95% CI 1.4–2.4). In contrast, only three GMCs (frequent or severe headache, other chronic pain and asthma) were significantly associated with subsequent onset of PEs after adjustment for comorbid GMCs and mental disorders, with ORs ranging from 1.5 (95% CI 1.2–1.9) to 1.7 (95% CI 1.2–2.4).ConclusionsPEs were associated with the subsequent onset of a wide range of GMCs, independent of comorbid mental disorders. There were also associations between some medical conditions (particularly those involving chronic pain) and subsequent PEs. Although these findings will need to be confirmed in prospective studies, clinicians should be aware that psychotic symptoms may be risk markers for a wide range of adverse health outcomes. Whether PEs are causal risk factors will require further research.


Author(s):  
Dorian M. Kusyk ◽  
Gordon Mao ◽  
Rocco Dabecco ◽  
Alexander K. Yu

Abstract Introduction The geriatric population is the fastest growing segment of the American population, and octogenarians are increasingly seen by neurosurgeons for relatively common lesions such as meningiomas. Unfortunately, providers do not have clear data to guide decision-making regarding these lesions, particularly if they involve the skull base. Current research in outcomes among the elderly looks at a wide range of ages, often anyone older than 65. Previous studies in octogenarians report a wide-range of mortality rates and do not focus on skull base lesions. This paper strives to clarify the experiences and outcomes of octogenarians. Patients and Methods This retrospective series reviews skull base tumor surgeries performed at a single academic institution over the past 15 years in octogenarian patients. Primary endpoint was 30-day mortality; however, potential risk factors, perioperative morbidity, postdischarge disposition, and longer term follow-up were also captured. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify relevant perioperative and medical characteristics that increases the risk of adverse events. Results Fourteen patients underwent craniotomies for skull base procedures with an average age of 84.5, with a 14% 30-day mortality rate. One patient required a tracheostomy on discharge and approximately half were able to either go home or rehabilitation after their procedure. On statistical analysis, there were no noted characteristics that predisposed any of the patients to a poorer outcome. Conclusion Octogenarian patients were able to tolerate surgery for skull base meningiomas resection. This outcome data may be used to inform surgical decision and guide conversation with patients and their families.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matej Stuhec ◽  
Nika Bratović ◽  
Aleš Mrhar

AbstractMental health problems (MHPs) are very common in the elderly and can have an important influence on their quality of life (QoL). There is almost no data on the impact of clinical pharmacists’ (CPs) interventions on the QoL including elderly patients and MHPs. The main aim of this study was to determinate the impact of (CP’s) interventions on the QoL and quality of pharmacotherapy. A prospective non-randomized pre-post study was designed which included residents of a nursing home aged 65 age or more with at least one MHP. Each patient also filled out the EQ-5D questionnaire. The medical review MR included drug-related problems (DRPs) and potentially drug-drug interactions (pDDIs), as well as potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). After 2 months, the participants were interviewed again. The mean number of medications before the intervention was 12,2 ± 3,1 per patient and decreased to 10,3 ± 3,0 medications per patient (p < 0,05) (n = 24). The total number of PIMs and pDDIs was also reduced and QoL was also significantly higher (p < 0,05). A collaborative care approach with a CP led to a decrease of DRPs, pDDIs, PIMs, the total number of medications and to an improvement in the patients’ QoL.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document