Psychological and Neurophysiological Effects of Robot Assisted Activity in Elderly People With Cognitive Decline

Robot-assisted activity (RAA) is a non-pharmacological therapy used to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. This study investigated the immediate effects of RAA on psychological and neurophysiological indices. Twenty-eight elderly people were assigned to the cognitive decline group ( n = 11) or control group ( n = 17) based on their Mini-Mental State Examination scores. After 5-min RAA sessions that involved patients interacting with a communication robot, patient emotions and mood states were measured, and resting-state EEG activity and salivary cortisol were assessed before and after RAA. We found that compared with those in the control group, participants in the cognitive decline group did not enjoy RAA using the communication robot. This was corroborated by EEG findings indicating decreased relaxation immediately after RAA exposure. These results suggested that participants with cognitive decline had difficulty understanding the contents of communication with the robot. Our results indicated that elderly people who have cognitive decline and use day-service centers are less likely to experience the immediate benefits of RAA, including positive emotions and mental relaxation. To conduct effective RAA for such populations, it may be useful to select a method that is better understood and enjoyed by participants.

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Robot-Assisted Gait Training in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57070713 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (7) ◽

pp. 713

Author(s):

Cristiano Sconza ◽

Francesco Negrini ◽

Berardo Di Matteo ◽

Alberto Borboni ◽

Gennaro Boccia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crossover Trial ◽

Gait Training ◽

Treatment Session ◽

Control Group ◽

Walk Test ◽

Robot Assisted ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Before And After

Background and Objectives: Gait disorders represent one of the most disabling aspects in multiple sclerosis (MS) that strongly influence patient quality of life. The improvement of walking ability is a primary goal for rehabilitation treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in association with physiotherapy treatment in patients affected by MS in comparison with ground conventional gait training. Study design: Randomized controlled crossover trial. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven participants affected by MS with EDSS scores between 3.5 and 7 were enrolled, of whom seventeen completed the study. They received five training sessions per week over five weeks of conventional gait training with (experimental group) or without (control group) the inclusion of RAGT. The patients were prospectively evaluated before and after the first treatment session and, after the crossover phase, before and after the second treatment session. The evaluation was based on the 25-foot walk test (25FW, main outcome), 6 min walk test (6MWT), Tinetti Test, Modified Ashworth Scale, and modified Motricity Index for lower limbs. We also measured disability parameters using Functional Independence Measure and Quality of Life Index, and instrumental kinematic and gait parameters: knee extensor strength, double-time support, step length ratio; 17 patients reached the final evaluation. Results: Both groups significantly improved on gait parameters, motor abilities, and autonomy recovery in daily living activities with generally better results of RAGT over control treatment. In particular, the RAGT group improved more than control group in the 25FW (p = 0.004) and the 6MWT (p = 0.022). Conclusions: RAGT is a valid treatment option that in association with physiotherapy could induce positive effects in MS-correlated gait disorders. Our results showed greater effectiveness in recovering gait speed and resistance than conventional gait training.

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The Effect of Working Memory Rehabilitation on Visual Memory and Memory Span

Elderly Health Journal ◽

10.18502/ehj.v6i2.5018 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mansour Mahmoudi Aghdam ◽

Esmaeil Soleimani ◽

Ali Issa Zadegan

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Elderly People ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Visual Memory ◽

Memory Span ◽

Control Group ◽

Age Related ◽

Memory Rehabilitation ◽

The Mean

Introduction: Age-related cognitive decline or cognitive aging is largely the result of structural and functional decline in specific areas of the brain, but lifestyle also contributes to this cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of working memory rehabilitation on visual memory and memory span in ageing. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design and a control group. The study population included all elderly people who lived in Bukan Nursing Home from April to July 2019 (N = 120). Among these individuals, 30 elderly people were selected by convenience sampling method and then randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (two groups of 15 people). Kim Karad Visual Memory Test and Wechsler Memory Span Test were taken from the groups in pretest. The working memory rehabilitation was performed in 18 sessions (each sessions 60-minute) and after which the test was performed again. The data were analyzed by multivariate covariance test according to its assumptions. Results: The results showed that after the rehabilitation of working memory, in the experimental group, the mean of short, medium and long components of visual memory were 12.00, 10.8 and 12.33, respectively, and the direct and inverse of memory span were 11.66 and 9.66, respectively. In the control group, the average of short, medium and long components of visual memory is 7.00, 6.70 and 9.00, respectively, and direct and inverse of memory span is 8.33 and 6.46, respectively. The difference in the mean scores between the two groups in the components of visual memory and memory span after the intervention was significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results showed that working memory rehabilitation can improve visual memory and memory span, and it is recommended that this rehabilitation method be used to improve the cognitive functions of the elderly.

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Application Model of Pranic Healing Therapy for Emotional Stress Using Accurate Bio-Well GDV Camera

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/201912505005 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 125 ◽

pp. 05005

Author(s):

Cahyaning Puji Astuti ◽

Melyana Nurul Widyawati ◽

Suryono Suryono

Keyword(s):

Emotional Stress ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Pharmacological Therapy ◽

The Body ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Test Results ◽

Emotional Instability ◽

Before And After ◽

And Control

Pregnancy is a period of both hormonal and non-hormonal overall change in the body. Emotional instability is commonly experienced by women during this period. However, this somewhat complex issue is often not addressed optimally. Pharmacological therapies using CPZ and lithium are often administered, but they have effects for the body. Therefore, there is a need to administer non-pharmacological therapy that has minimum side effects. This research aims to increase the healthy energy within the body using Pranic Healing, which is measured by the Bio-Well GDV camera. This research employed the pretest-posttest method on two groups (treatment and control) using the Randomized Controlled Trial design. Pranic Healing therapy was performed for 30 minutes once a week for 3 weeks, while GDV measurement was performed once a week for 4 weeks. Paired t-test results for Pranic Healing on emotional pressure showed p-value of 0.0001 (<0.05) for posttest2 and p-value of 0.005 (<0.05) for posttest3. Meanwhile, the control group did not indicate any changes in emotional stress both before and after treatment. It is found that Pranic Healing as measured using a bio-well GDV camera is capable of improving health energy within the body by relieving emotional stress experienced in trimester III primigravida.

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Depressive symptoms and cognitive decline in elderly people

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.181.5.406 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 181 (5) ◽

pp. 406-410 ◽

Cited By ~ 182

Author(s):

Sabrina Paterniti ◽

Marie-Hélène Verdier-Taillefer ◽

Carole Dufouil ◽

Annick Alpérovitch

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Elderly People ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Mmse Score ◽

Epidemiologic Study ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Depressive Episodes ◽

State Examination

BackgroundDepressive symptoms are associated with cognitive decline in elderly people, but the nature of their temporal relationship remains equivocal.AimsTo test whether depressive symptoms predict cognitive decline in elderly people with normal cognition.MethodThe Center for Epidemiologic Study depression scale (CES – D) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used to evaluate depressive symptomatology and cognitive functioning, respectively. A sample of 1003 persons aged 59–71 years and with a MMSE score of 26 or over was selected. Cognitive decline was defined as a drop of at least 3 points on the MMSE at 4-year follow-up.ResultsBaseline high levels of depressive symptoms predicted a higher risk of cognitive decline at 4-year follow-up. The MMSE score of participants with depression was more likely to fall below 26 at 2-year follow-up and to remain below at 4-year follow-up than the MMSE score of those without depressive symptoms. Persistent but not episodic depressive episodes were associated with cognitive decline.ConclusionsHigh levels of depressive symptoms, when persistent, are associated with cognitive decline in a sample of elderly people.

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INTERVENSI RASA BERSYUKUR UNTUK MENINGKATKAN HARGA DIRI REMAJA DI SMP X

Jurnal Muara Ilmu Sosial, Humaniora, dan Seni ◽

10.24912/jmishumsen.v4i1.7638.2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 186

Author(s):

Novia Sri Parindu Purba ◽

Riana Sahrani ◽

Heni Mularsih

Keyword(s):

Cultural Values ◽

Positive Emotions ◽

Strong Predictor ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Control Group ◽

New Findings ◽

Before And After ◽

Gratitude Intervention ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Experimental Group

Low self-esteem is also associated with poverty, it is necessary to have an effort to accept the conditions of life first. One of the simple characteristics of the acceptance effort is gratitude. Gratitude is a strong predictor to increase hope and happiness in adolescents who experience poverty. This research was designed as experimental group in X secondary school. The group was consisted of 6 respondents without a control group. The design of this study was a quasi-experimental (one group pretest-posttest) using the Rosenberg Self-esteem scale (RSSE) with a reliability coefficient of 0.88. The implementation of the gratitude intervention was designed using an intervention module from the aspect of the Indonesian grateful scale (SBI) and it was neither just a list of words of gratitude nor gratefulness. This gratitude intervention is done by inviting participants to focus on positive aspects of life, exploring positive emotions by recalculating the blessings of life that have been received from God and others. To sum up, these findings provide new findings in the use of gratitude intervention that focuses on the divine aspect. The results of this study indicate that there are significant differences in respondent's self-esteem before and after administration of the gratitude intervention, with self-esteem (RSSE) (Asymp. Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.042, p <0.05). This discussion focuses on the implications generated for Gratitude literature which are adapted to Indonesian cultural values. Harga diri yang rendah juga terkait dengan kemiskinan, maka diperlukan adanya usaha penerimaan kondisi kehidupannya terlebih dahulu. Salah satu karakteristik sederhana sebagai upaya penerimaan tersebut yakni dengan rasa bersyukur. Rasa bersyukur merupakan prediktor yang kuat untuk meningkatkan harapan dan kebahagiaan pada remaja yang mengalami kondisi miskin sekalipun. Penelitian ini diberikan kepada satu kelompok eksperimen yang terdiri dari 6 responden tanpa adanya kelompok kontrol di salah satu sekolah menengah pertama (SMP) terbuka X di Jakarta Utara. Desain penelitian ini merupakan quasi eksperimen (one group pretest-posttest) dengan menggunakan Rosenberg Self-esteem scale (RSSE) dengan hasil koefisien reliabilitas sebesar 0.88. Pelaksanaan pelatihan rasa bersyukur ini dirancang dengan menggunakan modul intervensi dari aspek skala bersyukur Indonesia (SBI) dan bukan hanya sekedar daftar ucapan rasa bersyukur atau terimakasih. Pelatihan kebersyukuran ini dilakukan dengan mengajak partisipan untuk fokus terhadap aspek positif dalam hidup, mengeksplorasi emosi positif dengan menghitung kembali berkah kehidupan yang telah diterima dari Tuhan dan orang lain. Singkatnya, temuan ini memberikan temuan baru dalam penggunaan intervensi rasa bersyukur yang berfokus pada aspek keTuhanan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan pada harga diri responden sebelum dan sesudah pemberian pelatihan kebersyukuran, dengan nilai self-esteem (RSSE) (Asymp. Sig. (2-tailed) = 0.042, p< 0.05 Diskusi ini berfokus pada implikasi yang dihasilkan untuk literature bersyukur yang disesuaikan dengan nilai-nilai budaya Indonesia.

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Quran recitation therapy reduces the depression levels of hemodialysis patients

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20202271 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 2222

Author(s):

Musthika W. Mashitah ◽

Kumoro A. Lenggono

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Severe Depression ◽

Interval Data ◽

Depression Score ◽

Pharmacological Therapy ◽

Control Group ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Neuropsychiatric Complications ◽

Before And After ◽

Depression Level

Background: Depression is one of the serious neuropsychiatric complications in CKD patients because of its high prevalence, leading to decline in the quality of life, and the potential to increase the risk of death. The psycho spiritual therapy that potential to be developed for provide support and decrease depression level is Quran recitation therapy. But studies on the effectiveness of Quran recitation therapy are still limited. The aim of this study was to reveal the effect of Quran recitation therapy on depression level of CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis in Hemodialysis Unit of dr. Soepraoen Hospital, Malang, Indonesia.Methods: This study was a quasy-experimental that compared the decrease of depression score level between treatment (n=14) and control group (n=14) before and after Quran recitation therapy. The subjects were CKD patients with hemodialysis who had moderate and severe depression based on screening results using BDI (Beck's Depression Inventory). Treatment group got Quran recitation therapy twice with one week interval. Data was analyzed using independent t-test.Results: The depression score in the treatment group showed a significantly higher reduction than the control group. Decrease level of depression in the treatment group was 17.43±9.00, while in the control group 7±7.19 (p=0.002, p<0.05).Conclusions: This results show that Quran recitation therapy is an effective non-pharmacological therapy to overcome depression in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study adds the evidence based practice of Quran recitation therapy as Islamic psychotherapy in the clinical setting.

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The Effects of 12 Weeks Pilates Exercises on Functional and Cognitive Performance in Elderly People

Journal of Education and Training Studies ◽

10.11114/jets.v7i3s.4123 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (3S) ◽

pp. 71

Author(s):

Buket Kayaoğlu ◽

İlbilge Özsu

Keyword(s):

Elderly People ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Elderly Care ◽

Care Center ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Berg Balance Scale ◽

Control Group ◽

Functional Reach Test ◽

Before And After

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks Pilates exercises on functional and cognitive performance in elderly people which are living in an elderly care center. Forty three elderly were randomly allocated either to Pilates group (PG, n= 21; mean age, 72.8 ± 7.84 years), which performed three session of Pilates per week for 12 weeks, or to control group (CG, n= 22; mean age, 77.7 ± 7.25 years), which no performed any exercise is except from daily works. Participants tested to handgrip strength, Berg balance scale, Functional reach test and Mini Mental State Examination Test before and after the 12 weeks of exercise. Finally, PG demonstrated improvement in all variables. However, CG has no improvement any variables. Pilates exercises led to significant improvement in functional and cognitive performance. Therefore, elderly people can apply a well-structured Pilates exercise program under Pilates instructor and physiotherapist.

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Associations between Commonly Used Characteristics in Frailty Assessment and Mental State in Frail Elderly People

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2191247 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (19) ◽

pp. 1247 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Iván González ◽

Rocío Garrido ◽

Fco Navarro ◽

Jesús Fontecha ◽

Ramón Hervás ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Elderly People ◽

Mental State ◽

Mini Mental State Examination ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression ◽

Frail Elders ◽

Frailty Assessment ◽

The Impact ◽

State Examination

This paper presents a cross-sectional study to analyze the impact on cognitive decline of a set of characteristics used for frailty assessment in elderly people. Considered characteristics come from several dimensions, including anthropometric, biological, nutritional, functional and mobility. Cognitive functioning is estimated by the Mini-Mental State Examination test. Additionally, mobility dimension is assessed from two perspectives: one based on direct observation of ambulation through subjective gait analyses; and the other performing explicit gait trials by using the instrumentation provided. In order to accomplish the purpose of this research, a multiple logistic regression analysis is carried out. Variables are grouped according to popular and/or standardized categories adopted in other clinical studies. Mini-Mental State Examination represents the dependent variable, while the characteristics for frailty assessment make up the set of explanatory variables. The multiple logistic regression is performed using a sample of 81 frail elders from two nursing homes in Spain. The results obtained indicate that frail elders aged 90 years of older, with moderate dependence in daily functioning, moderate risk of falls and with a stride interval gait variability greater than 6% were most likely to suffer cognitive decline, representing what is called cognitive frails.

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Effect of a Music Therapy Intervention Using Gerdner and Colleagues’ Protocol for Caregivers and Elderly Patients with Dementia: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Study

Journal of Personalized Medicine ◽

10.3390/jpm11060455 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 455

Author(s):

Guido Edoardo D’Aniello ◽

Davide Maria Cammisuli ◽

Alice Cattaneo ◽

Gian Mauro Manzoni ◽

Enrico Molinari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Music Therapy ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Penn State Worry Questionnaire ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Before And After ◽

Penn State ◽

State Worry

Music therapy (MT) is considered one of the complementary strategies to pharmacological treatment for behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) of dementia. However, studies adopting MT protocols tailored for institutionalized people with dementia are limited and their usefulness for supporting caregivers is under investigated to date. Our study aimed at evaluating the effects of an MT intervention according to Gerdner and colleagues’ protocol in a sample of 60 elderly people with moderate-to-severe dementia of the Auxologico Institute (Milan, Italy) and associated caregivers, randomly assigned to an Experimental Group (EG) (n = 30) undergoing 30 min of MT two times a week for 8 weeks and to a Control Group (n = 30) (CG) receiving standard care. Before and after the intervention, residents-associated caregivers were administered the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Depression and worry were also assessed in caregivers prior to the intervention, by the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, respectively. A mixed model ANCOVA revealed a Time*Group effect (p = 0.006) with regard to CBI decreasing after the intervention for the EG and Time*Group effects (p = 0.001) with regard to NPI_frequencyXseverity and NPI_distress, with a greater effect for the EG than the CG. Implications for MT protocols implementations are discussed.

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Storytelling increases oxytocin and positive emotions and decreases cortisol and pain in hospitalized children

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.2018409118 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 118 (22) ◽

pp. e2018409118

Author(s):

Guilherme Brockington ◽

Ana Paula Gomes Moreira ◽

Maria Stephani Buso ◽

Sérgio Gomes da Silva ◽

Edgar Altszyler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Positive Emotions ◽

Control Group ◽

Hospitalized Children ◽

Psychological Pain ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Pain Scores ◽

Social Settings ◽

Control Intervention ◽

Before And After ◽

Potential Impact

Storytelling is a distinctive human characteristic that may have played a fundamental role in humans’ ability to bond and navigate challenging social settings throughout our evolution. However, the potential impact of storytelling on regulating physiological and psychological functions has received little attention. We investigated whether listening to narratives from a storyteller can provide beneficial effects for children admitted to intensive care units. Biomarkers (oxytocin and cortisol), pain scores, and psycholinguistic associations were collected immediately before and after storytelling and an active control intervention (solving riddles that also involved social interaction but lacked the immersive narrative aspect). Compared with the control group, children in the storytelling group showed a marked increase in oxytocin combined with a decrease in cortisol in saliva after the 30-min intervention. They also reported less pain and used more positive lexical markers when describing their time in hospital. Our findings provide a psychophysiological basis for the short-term benefits of storytelling and suggest that a simple and inexpensive intervention may help alleviate the physical and psychological pain of hospitalized children on the day of the intervention.

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