scholarly journals Effects of aquatic physical intervention on fall risk, working memory and hazard-perception as pedestrians in older people

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Nissim ◽  
Abigail Livny ◽  
Caroline Barmatz ◽  
Galia Tsarfaty ◽  
Yitshal Berner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Hazard Perception ◽  
Prevention Interventions

Abstract Background: Normal aging is associated with balance, mobility and working memory decline that increase fall risk and influence activity of daily living functions. Mounting evidence suggests that physical activity is beneficial for decreasing aging effects. The environment in which the physical activity occurs influences the results of the activity. Previous studies have focused on land-based physical activity. Research concerning the aquatic environment is scarce. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an aquatic physical intervention program on fall risk, working memory and safety of streets–crossing among community-dwelling older individuals.Methods: Forty-two healthy participants aged 65 or older were divided into one of three intervention groups: aquatic physical intervention (API), on-land physical intervention (OLPI) or non-physical intervention (NPI). The intervention took place from 2018 until 2019 and the protocol included 30-minute sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. Balance, gait and fall risk, working memory abilities and simulated safe streets-crossing were tested. Testing and data collection was conducted at baseline, after six weeks and 12 weeks of intervention. Results: After six and 12 weeks of intervention, the API group achieved higher improvement on fall-risk score as compared to the NPI group, and both OLPI and NPI groups achieved less improvement on balance score compared to the API group. Additionally, after 12 weeks of intervention, both OLPI and NPI groups scored significantly lower than the API group in verbal and visuospatial working memory tests. Finally, a trend of improvement was found on the hazard-perception as pedestrians test after 12 weeks of intervention only among the API group. Conclusions: These findings may affect experts working with the elderly population when making decisions concerning therapeutic prevention interventions for the deficiencies of elderly patients. Such interventions may help reduce falling and cognitive deficits, which can lead to decreased injuries and fatalities of older pedestrians. Older adults practicing aquatic physical activity could contribute to their increased safety. Trial registration Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry NCT03510377. Date of registration: 10/31/2017 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03510377

scholarly journals Effects of aquatic physical intervention on fall risk, working memory and hazard-perception as pedestrians in older people: a pilot trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Nissim ◽  
Abigail Livny ◽  
Caroline Barmatz ◽  
Galia Tsarfaty ◽  
Yitshal Berner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Hazard Perception

Abstract Background: Normal aging is associated with balance, mobility and working memory decline that increase fall risk and influence activity of daily living functions. Mounting evidence suggests that physical activity is beneficial for decreasing aging effects. Previous studies have focused on land-based physical activity. Research concerning the aquatic environment is scarce. The primary objectives of this three arm intervention pilot study were to examine the effects of an aquatic physical intervention program on balance, gait, fall risk and working memory among community-dwelling older individuals. The secondary objective was to examine the effects of an aquatic physical intervention program on safety of street–crossing among community-dwelling older individuals. Methods: Forty-two healthy participants aged 65 or older were enrolled into one of three intervention groups: aquatic physical intervention (API) (N=13), on-land physical intervention (OLPI) (N=14) or non-physical intervention (NPI) (N=15). The intervention took place from 2018 until 2019 at Tel-Aviv University, Sheba medical center and Reich Center. The protocol included 30-minute sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. Balance, gait and fall risk were assessed by the Tinneti test, working memory abilities were assessed by digit span and Corsi blocks tests and simulated safe streets-crossing was assessed by the hazard perception test for pedestrians.Testing and data collection was conducted at baseline, after six weeks and 12 weeks of intervention. All members of the professional team involved in evaluating participants were blind to the intervention group to which participants were allocated. Results: The differences in Tinetti balance (F(2,39)=10.03, p<0.01), fall risk (F(2,39)=5.62, p0>.05), digit span forward (F(2,39)=8.85, p<0.01) and Corsi blocks forward (F(2,39)=3.54, p<0.05) and backward (F(2,39)=6.50, p<0.05) scores after 12 weeks between the groups were significant. The API group showed improved scores. The differences in hazard perception test for pedestrians scores after 12 weeks of intervention between the groups were marginally significant (F(2,39)=3.13, p=0.055). The API group showed improved scores. Conclusions: These findings may affect experts working with the elderly population when making decisions concerning therapeutic prevention interventions for the deficiencies of elderly patients. Older adults practicing aquatic physical activity could contribute to their increased safety. Trial registrationTrial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry NCT03510377. Date of registration: 10/31/2017

scholarly journals Effects of Ai-Chi Practice on Balance and Left Cerebellar Activation during High Working Memory Load Task in Older People: A Controlled Pilot Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12756
Author(s):  
Michal Nissim ◽  
Abigail Livny ◽  
Caroline Barmatz ◽  
Galia Tsarfaty ◽  
Yitshal Berner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Older People ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Exercise Session ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Working Memory Load ◽  
Practice Group

Background: Normal aging is associated with balance and working memory decline. From a neurobiological standpoint, changes in cerebellar functional plasticity may mediate the decline in balance and working memory for older adults. Mounting evidence suggests that physical activity is beneficial for decreasing aging effects. Previous studies have focused on land-based physical activity and research concerning the aquatic environment is scarce. This study investigated the effectiveness of Ai-Chi on balance abilities and cerebral activation during a high working memory load task among community-dwelling older people. Methods: A total of 19 people aged 65–86 years were allocated to receive Ai-Chi practice (n = 6), structured on-land Ai-Chi practice (n = 7) or guided-imagery of Ai-Chi practice (n = 6) for a bi-weekly, 30-min exercise session for 12 weeks. Balance was measured by the Tinetti balance sub-test and working memory was measured by the N-back test during functional-MRI scan. Results: The Ai-Chi practice group presented a significant change in balance between pre and post intervention (balance t = −4.8, p < 0.01). In the whole-brain analysis, during high working memory load task, the Ai-Chi practice group presented a decrease in left cerebellar activation. Region of interest analyses yielded similar results by which pre-cerebellar activation was higher than post-intervention (t = 2.77, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Ai-Chi is an available, non-invasive intervention method that may serve as a tool to improve cerebellar activation that in turn might improve balance. In addition, our findings may provide new insights into the neuronal mechanisms that underlie both motor and cognitive abilities.

Predictors of Physical Activity Levels in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Multivariate Approach Based on a Socio-Ecological Framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koren L. Fisher ◽  
Elizabeth L. Harrison ◽  
Brenda G. Bruner ◽  
Joshua A. Lawson ◽  
Bruce A. Reeder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Home Care Services ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Nursing Home Care ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Cross Sectional

The purpose of this study was to explore cross-sectional relationships between self-reported physical activity (PA) and personal, social, and environmental factors in community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older. Accounting for clustering by neighborhood, generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations between selected correlates and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) score while adjusting for confounders. Data for 601 participants were analyzed: 79% female, 37% married, mean age 76.8 (± 8.7) years, mean PASE score 112.6 (± 64.8). Age, living in seniors’ housing, using nursing/home care services, receiving encouragement to be active, and having benches available in the neighborhood were inversely associated with PASE. Self-efficacy, SF-12 score, PA barriers, social support, and the presence of trails showed positive associations. Several personal, social, and environmental factors associated with PA were identified. The inverse association between PA and living in seniors’ housing units should be considered when developing PA programs for older adults.

scholarly journals Home and Neighborhood Context and Fall Risk Among Older Americans

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 711-711
Author(s):  
Safiyyah Okoye ◽  
John Mulcahy ◽  
Chanee Fabius ◽  
Jennifer Wolff
Keyword(s):  
Fall Risk ◽  
Social Deprivation ◽  
Neighborhood Context ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Prevention Interventions ◽  
Link Information

Abstract Falls result from complex interactions between individuals and their environment and are the leading cause of injuries among older adults. A nascent literature demonstrates an association between neighborhood characteristics and falls. However, available evidence is from small, nonrepresentative samples and generally focuses on individual, home, or neighborhood risk-factors rather than the contribution of all three. We link information from N=6,489 community-dwelling participants in the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study with the Social Deprivation Index (SDI), which yields a census-tract-level score of socioeconomic disadvantage, to assess associations between home and neighborhood context and falls in the previous year. Household financial strain was associated with a 31% increased risk of falling, and indoor trip hazards with a 14% increased risk, after adjusting for individual factors and neighborhood SDI (all p &lt;0.05). Findings reflect the interplay between home and neighborhood context and fall-risk, and can inform community-based fall-prevention interventions.

scholarly journals 111 Disparities between Actual and Perceived Fall Risk Affect Participation in 5 Fall Prevention Interventions

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv18-iv27
Author(s):  
Pey June Tan ◽  
Silvia Sim ◽  
Noor Hafizah Ismail ◽  
Jagadish Mallya ◽  
Angelique Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Prevention Interventions ◽  
Aware Group

Abstract Introduction Older adults have been found to under- or overestimate their fall risk. However, no studies have investigated implications on help-seeking behaviours in falls prevention. This study examines how disparities between actual and perceived fall risk affects participation in 5 fall prevention interventions among community-dwelling older adults in Singapore. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years in Singapore identified by stratified random sampling. Having previous falls in the past 12 months (faller/non-faller) indicated actual fall risk. Level of fear-of-falling (cut-off ≥23 on 16-item Falls Efficacy Scale International) was used as perceived fall risk (high/low). Four profiles based on combinations of actual and perceived risk were associated with participation in 5 fall prevention interventions in a multiple logistic regression. The model was adjusted for age, gender, ≥2 comorbidities and knowledge that the intervention is to prevent falls. Results Final analysis included 549 older adults (mean age 70.6±6.9 years, 61% females). Majority (46%) were in the Vigorous group (no falls, low fear), 35% Anxious (no falls, high fear), 11% Frail Aware (falls, high fear) and 8% Stoics (falls, low fear). Only those in Anxious and Frail Aware group were significantly more likely to have talked to a healthcare professional on strategies to avoid falls [OR 1.8 (1.1-3.1) and 3.2 (1.6-6.4) respectively] and made home modifications [OR 1.9 (1.3-2.8) and 2.0 (1.1-3.6)] after adjustments. No association was found for participation in exercise, medication review and falls education. Discussion Individual profiles with high fear-of-falling component have different help-seeking behaviours compared to those with low fear regardless of history of falls. However, individuals in Frail Aware group have higher likelihood to uptake the interventions compared to Anxious group. Future research should examine other drivers of behaviour that will influence participation in other interventions.

scholarly journals Combined Intervention of Physical Activity, Aerobic Exercise, and Cognitive Exercise Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline for Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Park ◽  
Park ◽  
Na ◽  
Hiroyuki ◽  
Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
Disease Assessment ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Combined Intervention

This study aimed to investigate the association between a dual-task intervention program and cognitive and physical functions. In a randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 49 individuals with MCI. The MCI diagnosis was based on medical evaluations through a clinical interview conducted by a dementia specialist. Cognitive assessments were performed by neuropsychologists according to standardized methods, including the MMSE and modified Alzheimer’s disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), both at baseline and at 3 months follow-up. The program comprised physical activity and behavior modification, aerobic exercise, and a cognitive and exercise combined intervention program. Analysis of the subjects for group-time interactions revealed that the exercise group exhibited a significantly improved ADAS-Cog, working memory, and executive function. Total physical activity levels were associated with improvements in working memory function and the modified ADAS-Cog score, and the associations were stronger for daily moderate intensity activity than for daily step count. The 24-week combined intervention improved cognitive function and physical function in patients with MCI relative to controls. Encouraging participants to perform an additional 10 min of moderate physical activity under supervision, during ongoing intervention, may be more beneficial to prevent cognitive decline and improve exercise adherence.

Subjective Hearing Difficulty and Fall Risk

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 384-390
Author(s):  
Robin E. Criter ◽  
Megan Gustavson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Functional Balance ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Hearing Difficulty ◽  
Recent Falls

Purpose Hearing loss is a risk factor for falls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between subjective hearing difficulty and risk of falls. Method Community-dwelling older adults, aged 60 years and older, completed a case history; three questionnaires, including the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC); and one functional balance measure, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Pearson and Spearman correlations were calculated, and average scores were plotted according to group and HHIE score category for DHI, ABC, TUG, the number of medications, and the number of recent falls. Results Seventy-four participants were included in this analysis: 28 nonaudiology patients, 18 audiology patients with hearing aids, and 28 audiology patients without hearing aids. Significant positive correlations were noted between HHIE and DHI scores for audiology patients without hearing aids and between HHIE score and number of recent falls for audiology patients with hearing aids. When average scores were plotted for DHI, ABC, TUG, the number of medications, and the number of recent falls according to group and category, there were clear trends toward increased fall risk as HHIE score categories increased (i.e., mild to moderate to severe) based on previously used criteria. Conclusions Overall, a trend was noticed such that, for increasing HHIE score categories, fall risk increased. Significant correlations existed between HHIE score and some of the measures used to indicate fall risk (i.e., DHI score, number of recent falls). Future fall risk research should investigate subjective hearing difficulty as a risk factor, as well as pure-tone audiometric thresholds.

THE COYOACAN COHORT STUDY: DESIGN, METHODOLOGY, AND PARTICIPANTS’ CHARACTERISTICS OF A MEXICAN STUDY ON NUTRITIONAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL MARKERS OF FRAILTY

2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
L. RUIZ-ARREGUI ◽  
J.A. ÁVILA-FUNES ◽  
H. AMIEVA ◽  
S.A. BORGES-YÁÑEZ ◽  
A. VILLA-ROMERO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Clinical Evaluations ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cohort Study Design ◽  
The Mean

Background:“Frailty” has emerged as a condition associated with an increased risk of functionaldecline among the elderly, which may be differentiated from aging, disability, and co-morbidities. Objective: TheMexican Study of Nutritional and Psychosocial Markers of Frailty among Community-Dwelling Elderly hasemerged to help answer many questions about frailty among the older adults. This report presents the design ofthe study and baseline data of its participants. Design: The “Coyoacan cohort” is a longitudinal observationalstudy developed in Mexico City. Participants:A representative sample of 1,294 non-institutionalized men andwomen aged 70 years and older were randomly recruited to undergo a face-to-face interview and acomprehensive geriatric assessment (including clinical evaluations and blood samples) between 2008 and 2009.Measurements:Data collected included socio-demographic and economic characteristics, medical history, oralhealth, drug use, cognitive function and mood, nutritional status, physical performance and functional status,physical activity, quality of life, social networks, and biological data. Frailty was defined as the presence of ≥3 ofthe following components: slowness, poor muscle strength, low physical activity, exhaustion and unintentionalweight loss. Results: A total of 1,124 participants completed the interview. The mean age was 79.5 ± 7.1 years,and 55.9% were female. Nine hundred and forty-five subjects completed the clinical evaluation and 743 bloodsamples were collected. The baseline prevalence of frailty was 14.1%. Conclusions:Understanding the medical,biological, and environmental factors that contribute to the phenomenon of frailty is the goal of the currentresearch in the field.

scholarly journals Exploring Older Adult ED Fall Patients’ Understanding of Their Fall: A Qualitative Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 231-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalpana N. Shankar ◽  
Devon Taylor ◽  
Caroline T. Rizzo ◽  
Shan W. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adult ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Fall Risk Factors ◽  
Variable Level ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Prevention Interventions

Objective: We sought to understand older patients’ perspectives about their fall, fall risk factors, and attitude toward emergency department (ED) fall-prevention interventions. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews between July 2015 and January 2016 of community-dwelling, nondemented patients in the ED, who presented with a fall to an urban, teaching hospital. Interviews were halted once we achieve thematic saturation with the data coded and categorized into themes. Results: Of the 63 patients interviewed, patients blamed falls on the environment, accidents, a medical condition, or themselves. Three major themes were generated: (1) patients blamed falls on a multitude of things but never acknowledged a possible multifactorial rationale, (2) patients have variable level of concerns regarding their current fall and future fall risk, and (3) patients demonstrated a range of receptiveness to ED interventions aimed at preventing falls but provided little input as to what those interventions should be. Conclusions: Many older patients who fall do not understand their fall risk. However, based on the responses provided, older adults tend to be more receptive to intervention and more concerned about their future fall risk, making the ED an appropriate setting for intervention.

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