scholarly journals Health Literacy and Global Cognitive Function Predict E-Mail but Not Internet Use in Heart Failure Patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared P. Schprechman ◽  
Emily C. Gathright ◽  
Carly M. Goldstein ◽  
Kate A. Guerini ◽  
Mary A. Dolansky ◽  
...  

Background. The internet offers a potential for improving patient knowledge, and e-mail may be used in patient communication with providers. However, barriers to internet and e-mail use, such as low health literacy and cognitive impairment, may prevent patients from using technological resources.Purpose. We investigated whether health literacy, heart failure knowledge, and cognitive function were related to internet and e-mail use in older adults with heart failure (HF).Methods. Older adults (N=119) with heart failure (69.84±9.09years) completed measures of health literacy, heart failure knowledge, cognitive functioning, and internet use in a cross-sectional study.Results. Internet and e-mail use were reported in 78.2% and 71.4% of this sample of patients with HF, respectively. Controlling for age and education, logistic regression analyses indicated that higher health literacy predicted e-mail (P<.05) but not internet use. Global cognitive function predicted e-mail (P<.05) but not internet use. Only 45% used the Internet to obtain information on HF and internet use was not associated with greater HF knowledge.Conclusions. The majority of HF patients use the internet and e-mail, but poor health literacy and cognitive impairment may prevent some patients from accessing these resources. Future studies that examine specific internet and email interventions to increase HF knowledge are needed.

Author(s):  
Tran Dai Tri Han ◽  
Keiko Nakamura ◽  
Kaoruko Seino ◽  
Vo Nu Hong Duc ◽  
Thang Van Vo

This study examined the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older adults in central Vietnam and the roles of communication (with or without communication devices) in the association between cognitive impairment and hearing loss. This cross-sectional study was performed on 725 randomly selected community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years from Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. Participants attended a face-to-face survey. Sociodemographic characteristics, social interaction with or without communication devices, health status and cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination were reported. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to quantify the association between hearing loss and cognitive function by frequency of communication with and without devices. Mild and severe cognitive impairment had prevalence rates of 23.6% and 19.3%, respectively. Cognitive impairment was more prevalent among older adults with hearing-loss, vision loss and difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment was not significant when older adults had frequent communication with others using devices. This study presented the relatively high prevalence of cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults in Vietnam. Frequent communication using devices attenuated the association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S55-S55
Author(s):  
Rachel A Crockett ◽  
Chun Liang Hsu ◽  
Cindy Barha ◽  
Ging-Yuek Robin Hsiung ◽  
Teresa Liu-Ambrose

Abstract Aerobic training has been shown to be effective at improving cognitive and brain outcomes in older adults with mild subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (SIVCI). However, uncertainty remains regarding the underlying neurobiological mechanisms by which exercise elicits these improvements in cognition. Increased aberrant functional connectivity of the default mode network has been highlighted as a factor contributing to cognitive decline in older adults with cognitive impairment. Greater connectivity of the DMN at rest is associated with poorer performance on attention-demanding tasks, indicative of a lack of ability to deactivate the network on task. Our previous work on a randomized controlled trial of participants with mild SIVCI, demonstrated that 6-months of thrice weekly aerobic training led to improved global cognitive function, as measured by Alzheimer’s disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog), compared with a health education program. Thus, we conducted secondary analyses to investigate whether these changes in global cognitive function were associated with changes in resting state DMN connectivity. A subsample of 21 participants underwent a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan before and after trial completion. Change in resting state DMN connectivity was found to significantly predict change in ADAS-Cog score (β = -.442, p=.038) after controlling for age, intervention group, and baseline functional capacity (R2=.467, F(4,16)= 3.507, p=.031). These findings suggest that functional connectivity of the DMN may underlie changes in global cognitive function. Furthermore, aerobic exercise is a promising intervention by which to elicit these changes in older adults with mild SIVCI.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
WEN HAO ◽  
Wenjing Zhao ◽  
Takashi Kimura ◽  
Shigekazu Ukawa ◽  
Ken Kadoya ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Gait is associated with cognitive function and is a trait marker of dementia; however, research on gait and cognitive function usually concentrates on several individual gait parameters. This study used wearable sensors to measure gait parameters in different aspects and comprehensively explored the association of gait with global cognitive function and domain-specific cognitive function.Methods: The data of this cross-sectional study were obtained from 236 community-dwelling Japanese older adults (125 men and 111 women) aged 70–81 years. Gait was measured by asking participants to walk a 6-meter course and back using the Physilog® sensors (GaiUp®, Switzerland). Global cognitive function and cognitive domains were evaluated by face-to-face interviews using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Twenty gait parameters were summarized as independent gait factors using factor analysis. A generalized linear model and linear regression model were used to explore the relationship of gait with global cognitive function and domain-specific cognitive function adjusted for several confounding factors.Results: Factor analysis yielded four gait factors: general cycle, initial contact, propulsion, and mid-swing. Among them, general cycle factor was significantly associated with global cognitive function (β=-0.565, [-0.967, -0.163]), executive function (P=0.012), and memory (P=0.045); initial contact was associated with executive function (P=0.019).Conclusion: Better gait was related to better cognitive function, especially the general cycle, which was correlated with both global and domain-specific cognitive function. The predictive value should be examined in future cohort studies.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Sontakova ◽  
Alzbeta Bartova ◽  
Klara Dadova ◽  
Iva Holmerova ◽  
Michal Steffl

Abstract Objectives: The main aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effects of different physical activities on cognitive functions in older adults divided according to cognitive impairment levels. Methods: We searched Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed for randomized control trials (RCT). A standardized mean difference (SMD) of the pre-post intervention score of global cognitive function tests were calculated by the random model in the Cochrane meta-analyses for people with cognitive impairment generally and across three levels - mild, mild to moderate, and moderate to severe cognitive impairment separately. Additionally, an unstandardized coefficient beta (B) was calculated in generalized linear models to estimate the effects of exercise, cognitive impairment severity, age, female ratio, length of intervention, and time of exercise a week on the global cognitive function. Results: Data from 26 studies involving 1,137 participants from intervention groups and 1,187 participants from control groups were analyzed. Physical exercise had a positive effect on cognitive functions in people across all levels of cognitive impairments SMD (95 % confidence interval [CI]) = 1.19 (0.77 - 1.62); however, heterogeneity was considerably high I 2 = 95%. Aerobic (B = 8.881) and resistance exercise (B = 4.464) was significantly associated with better results in global cognitive functions when compared to active control. A higher number of female participants cin intervention groups had a statistically significant effect on the global cognitive function (B = 0.229). onclusions: Physical exercise was associated with cognitive function improvement in older people with cognitive impairments. Aerobic exercise was more strongly associated than resistance exercise to combat cognitive decline. Keywords: Physical activity, Dementia, Aging, Meta-analysis, Aerobic exercise, Cognitive function


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Falk Erhag ◽  
Felicia Ahlner ◽  
Therese Rydberg Sterner ◽  
Ingmar Skoog ◽  
Annika Bergström

Abstract Background The Internet is increasingly becoming an infrastructure for a number of services, both commercial, public (including health related) and personal. Using the internet have the potential to promote social interaction and social connectedness by upholding social networks and social contacts. However, Internet use is lower in older adults compared to other age groups. This digital divide is considered a risk to the health of older adults since it limits their participation in society, access and use of relevant health related information and services. This study focuses on whether there is an association between Internet use and self-rated health. Method A cross-sectional population-based sample of 70-year-olds from The Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Study (n = 1136) was examined in 2014–16. All data was collected using structured interviews and questionnaires. Differences in proportions were tested with chi-square test and ordinary least square regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship between Internet use and self-rated health controlling for health factors, hearing and visual impairment, and social contacts. Results There is a relationship between more frequent Internet use and good self-rated health (unstandardized β 0.101 p < 0.001), and the effect remained after adjusting for all covariates (unstandardized β 0.082 p < 0.001). Our results also show that, in comparison to health factors, Internet use is of minor importance to the SRH of older adults, since adding these improved the explanatory power of the model by approximately 400% (from 0.04 to 0.18). Conclusion Although the direction of the relationship between more frequent interne use and better self-rated health is undetermined in the present study, it can be suggested that using the Internet informs and educates older adults, strengthening their position as active and engaged participants of society. It can also be suggested that those using the Internet report less loneliness and a possibility to establish new computer-mediated relationships within online communities. Further research needs to examine what aspects of Internet use, and in what contexts such positive perceptions arise.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 729-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily C Gathright ◽  
Mary A Dolansky ◽  
John Gunstad ◽  
Richard A Josephson ◽  
Shirley M Moore ◽  
...  

Background: The prevalence and impact of cognitive impairment in heart failure is increasingly recognized. Converging evidence points to global cognitive function as predictive of prognosis in adults with heart failure when assessed with screening tools. Additional work is needed to understand which domains of cognitive function are most relevant for prognosis. Aims: The present study sought to examine associations between domains of cognitive function and mortality risk in adults with heart failure. Methods: In the present prospective, observational cohort study, global cognitive function, attention, executive function, and memory were assessed by means of a comprehensive neuropsychogical battery in adults with systolic heart failure. Mortality data were obtained from the National Death Index (median follow-up 2.95 years). Relationships among each cognitive domain and mortality were assessed with Cox regression. Covariates included age, sex, heart failure severity, comorbidity and depressive symptoms. Results: Participants were 325 patients with systolic heart failure with a mean age of 68.6 years (59% men, 73% Caucasian). Following covariate adjustment, better global cognitive function, attention, and executive function were related to decreased mortality risk. Conclusions: Future research is needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms of the association between cognitive impairment and mortality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Yoon Kong ◽  
Jin Sug Kim ◽  
Min Hye Kang ◽  
Hyeon Seok Hwang ◽  
Chang Won Won ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cognitive decline is common in older adults. Similarly, the prevalence of renal dysfunction is also increased in the elderly population. We conducted this study to clarify the relationship between renal dysfunction and decline of cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly population. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed using data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study, a nationwide cohort study. Total 2847 (1333 men, 1514 women) eligible participants were enrolled for this study. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, mL/min/1.73m2) was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Global cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-mental State Examination-Korean version. Other domains of cognitive function were tested with the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s disease and the Frontal Assessment Battery. Results The mean age of all participants was 76.0 ± 3.9 years and eGFR (all in mL/min/1.73 m2) was 77.5 ± 14.3. And the mean eGFR was 91.7 ± 3.2 in quartile 1, 84.9 ± 1.8 in quartile 2, 76.1 ± 3.7 in quartile 3, and 57.2 ± 10.8 in quartile 4. In baseline characteristics, participants with lower eGFR tend to have lower cognitive function scores than participant with higher eGFR. In linear regression analysis, eGFR was correlated with the word list memory (β = 0.53, P = 0.005), word list recall (β = 0.86, P < 0.001), and word list recognition (β = 0.43, P = 0.030) after adjustment of confounding variables. Moreover, after multivariate adjustment the association with cognitive impairment in quartile 2 was stronger (adjusted OR: 1.535, 95% CI: 1.111–2.120, P = 0.009), and the ORs of cognitive impairment were 1.501 (95% CI: 1.084–2.079, P = 0.014) in quartile 3 and 1.423 (95% CI: 1.022–1.983, P = 0.037) in quartile 4. Conclusion In older adults, the immediate, recent memory, and recognition domains were significantly related to renal function. Also, the mild renal dysfunction was independently associated with impairment of global cognitive function. These results suggest that the early stages of renal dysfunction could be an effective target to prevent worsening of cognitive impairment. Therefore, regular monitoring and early detection of mild renal dysfunction in elderly population might be needed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Xuanting Li ◽  
Junliang Yuan ◽  
Wei Qin ◽  
Lei Yang ◽  
Shuna Yang ◽  
...  

Background: Cerebral microbleed (CMB) is an increasingly important risk factor for cognitive impairment due to population aging. Controversies, however, remain regarding the exact association between CMB and cognitive dysfunction. Objective: We aimed to determine the relationship between CMB burden and cognitive impairment, and also explore the characteristics of cognitive decline in CMB patients for middle-aged and elderly people. Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 174 participants (87 CMB patients and 87 controls) who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and a battery of neuropsychological test. Global cognitive function was measured using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Compound z-scores were calculated for three cognitive subdomains: memory, executive function and processing speed. Results: CMB patients had lower scores of MMSE (p <  0.001) and MoCA (p <  0.001). Patients at each category of CMB count had worse performance in global cognitive function and all three cognitive subdomains (p <  0.001). In multiple linear regression models, CMB patients had significantly greater declines in executive function (p <  0.001), processing speed (p <  0.001), and MoCA (p = 0.003) with increasing number of CMB. We found no relationship between CMB location and cognition (p <  0.05). Conclusion: CMB is associated with impairment in global cognition as well as for all tested subdomains. Strongest effect sizes were seen for tests which rely on executive functioning, where performance deficits increased in proportion to degree of CMB burden. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate whether the association between CMB and executive dysfunction is causal.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunhee Park ◽  
Beomsoo Kim

BACKGROUND Internet access in Korea has grown dramatically over the past two decades. However, disparities in internet use, referred to as the second level of the digital divide, persist. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine opportunity, motivation, and health variables that indicate internet use among older adults with diabetes. METHODS Data were sourced from a nationally representative sample of people 65 years and older with diabetes (N=1919). Logistic regression was used to explore potential differences in predictor variables between internet users and nonusers. RESULTS Only 306 of the 1919 (15.95%) participants in the sample used the internet. They were more likely to be younger (odds ratio [OR] 0.89, 95% CI 0.87-0.92), well-educated (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.16-1.26), and able to afford leisure expenditures (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.04). Additionally, they had more information and communications technology (ICT) training experience, were motivated to learn, volunteered, and reported good physical and cognitive function. Participation in ICT education and better health more positively correlated with a higher rate of internet use than did years of education or economic standing in older adults with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS To support older adults with diabetes in the internet age, policies and health care providers should focus on digital competency training as well as physical and cognitive function.


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