The Relationship between Interoceptive Sensitivity, Age, and COVID-19 Anxiety During the First National Lockdown in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Elliott ◽  
Gaby Pfeifer
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
The Body ◽  
Adaptive Behaviour ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Anxiety Management ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Internal States ◽  
Interoceptive Sensitivity ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

Interoception refers to the multidimensional representation of the internal states of the body, including their sensation, appraisal, integration, and regulation. COVID-19 targets internal respiratory, temperature and gastrointestinal systems, thus posing a primary threat to humans that causes anxiety. Here, we examined the relationship between the sensitivity to internal bodily states and COVID-19 anxiety during the first national lockdown in the UK, when uncertainties surrounding the virus were at their peak. Between April and July 2020, N=232 individuals across 6 age-categories completed questionnaires measuring interoceptive sensibility (BPQ-SF and MAIA-2) and COVID-19 anxiety (adapted STAI). Several significant relationships suggested that the heightened sensation and the noticing of bodily signals were associated with higher COVID-19 anxiety, while healthy appraisal, attention regulation, mind-body integration and trusting of bodily signals were related to lower levels of COVID-19 anxiety. Age was associated with changes across multiple interoceptive dimensions and was related to lower levels of COVID-19 anxiety. Regression results further revealed that, after controlling for trait anxiety, higher age significantly predicted lower levels of COVID-19 anxiety, and a lower score on the Not Worrying subscale significantly predicted higher levels of COVID-19 anxiety. Our results extend previous findings of an age-related decline in COVID-19 anxiety to suggest underlying biopsychological changes in interoception. Interoceptive sensitivity may significantly influence anxiety management and regulate adaptive behaviour in the presence of health threats. Age-related interoceptive changes therefore raise important questions about best-practice guidance for individuals across the lifespan in protecting their own and other’s physical and mental health during a pandemic.

scholarly journals Exploring awareness of age-related changes among over 50s in the UK: findings from the PROTECT study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Serena Sabatini ◽  
Obioha C. Ukoumunne ◽  
Clive Ballard ◽  
Rachel Collins ◽  
Anne Corbett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thought Processes ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Written Comments ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Perceived Age ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Protect Study ◽  
Age Related Changes ◽  
Theoretical Conceptualization

ABSTRACT Objectives: Older people describe positive and negative age-related changes, but we do not know much about what contributes to make them aware of these changes. We used content analysis to categorize participants’ written comments and explored the extent to which the identified categories mapped onto theoretical conceptualizations of influences on awareness of age-related change (AARC). Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Participants: The study sample comprised 609 UK individuals aged 50 years or over (mean (SD) age = 67.9 (7.6) years), enrolled in the PROTECT study. Measurements: Between January and March 2019, participants provided demographic information, completed a questionnaire assessing awareness of age-related change (AARC-10 SF), and responded to an open-ended question asking them to comment on their responses. Results: While some of the emerging categories were in line with the existing conceptual framework of AARC (e.g. experiencing negative changes and attitudes toward aging), others were novel (e.g. engagement in purposeful activities or in activities that distract from age-related thoughts). Analysis revealed some of the thought processes involved in selecting responses to the questionnaire items, demonstrating different ways in which people make sense of specific items. Conclusions: Results support the ability of the AARC questionnaire to capture perceived age-related changes in cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, and engagement in social activities and in healthy and adaptive behaviors. However, findings also suggest ways of enriching the theoretical conceptualization of how AARC develops and offer insights into interpretation of responses to measures of AARC.

scholarly journals Melatonin, aging, and COVID-19: Could melatonin be beneficial for COVID-19 treatment in the elderly?

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1504-1512
Author(s):  
Güler ÖZTÜRK ◽  
Kazime Gonca AKBULUT ◽  
Şevin GÜNEY
Keyword(s):  
Aging Process ◽  
Biological Process ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Free Radical Reactions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Age Related Changes

The aim of this review is to summarize current studies on the relationship between melatonin and aging. Nowadays, age-related diseases come into prominence, and identifying age-related changes and developing proper therapeutic approaches are counted as some of the major issues regarding community health. Melatonin is the main hormone of the pineal gland. Melatonin is known to influence many biological processes in the body, including circadian rhythms, the immune system, and neuroendocrine and cardiovascular functions.Melatoninrhythms also reflect the biological process of aging. Aging is an extremely complex and multifactorial process. Melatonin levels decline considerably with aging and its decline is associated with several age-related diseases. Aging is closely associated with oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Free radical reactions initiated by the mitochondria constitute the inherent aging process. Melatonin plays a pivotal role in preventing age-related oxidative stress. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) fatality rates increase with chronic diseases and age, where melatonin levels decrease. For this reason, melatonin supplementation in elderly could be beneficial in COVID-19 treatment. Therefore, studies on the usage of melatonin in COVID-19 treatment are needed.

Modernization of Universities through Greater Interaction with Small Firms

1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Tilley ◽  
David Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

This paper explores the ‘best practice’ interactions between universities and small firms in the UK. The purpose is to identify ways in which a university can build stronger and more effective links with small firms. The relationship between universities and small firms is of growing importance. There are political, economic and educational pressures which influence the behaviour and relationship of higher education toward the business sector, and small firms in particular. The wider context of the changes taking place within higher education are discussed. This is followed by the initial findings from a recently completed research project for the Council for Industry and Higher Education which investigated the foremost components in ‘best practice’ interactions and linkages between small firms and universities in the North East of England. Some preliminary ideas are suggested on how best practice can be further facilitated. These proposals are then interpreted in terms of the operational implications for universities and other strategic organizations involved in building linkages with small firms.

scholarly journals The Thatcher government and (de)regulation: modularisation of individual personal pensions

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Burton
Keyword(s):  
Product Design ◽  
Important Change ◽  
The Body ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conservative Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The (de)regulation agenda of the Conservative government, led by Margaret Thatcher, elected in 1979 is an important change point that has attracted only limited attention from management and historical research scholars. Thus, how (de)regulation in this era influenced the evolution of product design remains ripe for exploration. The purpose of this paper is to examine the UK individual personal pensions product market between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s to examine the relationship between (de)regulation – an industry-level factor – and its impact on architectural choices of product design – a product-level factor. Design/methodology/approach A retrospective, oral history research design with 31 senior managers in product development firms with first-hand experience of the change period was adopted. Findings Findings indicate that the (de)regulation reforms and the context of the financialisation of product markets came to define how products were then designed, evolving product design from non-modular to near-modular, a trajectory that arguably continues until the present day. Originality/value The main contribution lies in examining the role of (de)regulation and financialisation as modularisation processes. The increasing modularisation of individual personal pension product design between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s provides further support for the body of scholarly work on modularisation processes and their relationship with industry change.

scholarly journals Brain plasticity

2020 ◽  
pp. 68-76
Author(s):  
А.А. Пальцын ◽  
Н.Б. Свиридкина
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
The Body ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Main Condition ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Internal And External Factors ◽  
The Brain

Пластичность мозга - способность изменяться под действием внутренних и внешних факторов и, в качестве следствия, изменять тело. Мозг - посредник, между организмом (телом) и средой. Среда и условия жизни постоянно изменяются. Через мозг осуществляются приспособления к этим изменениям организма, направленные на сохранение жизни в изменившихся условиях. Диапазон пластических возможностей мозга иллюстрируется способностью осязания заменить зрение, или способностью когнитивных и физических нагрузок, диеты, сна существенно замедлить возрастную деградацию физического и умственного здоровья. Пластичность мозга - главное условие здоровья и долголетия. Другого «эликсира молодости» сегодня нет и, по-видимому, никогда не будет. Способ поддержания пластичности мозга - его занятость. Путь к деградации мозга - интеллектуальный и физический покой. Plasticity of the brain is an ability to change under the influence of internal and external factors and, as a consequence, to change the body. The brain is a mediator between the organism (body) and the environment. The environment, living conditions, is continuously changing. Adaptation to these changes in the body aimed at preserving life in the changed conditions occurs via the brain. The range of plastic capabilities of the brain is illustrated by the ability of touch to replace vision or the ability of cognitive and physical exercise, diet, and sleep to slow down significantly the age-related decline of physical and mental health. Plasticity of the brain is the main condition for health and longevity. There is no other “elixir of youth” today and, apparently, will never be. A way to maintain brain plasticity is to keep it busy. The path to brain degradation is mental and physical quiescence.

scholarly journals Fractional urinary fluoride excretion of 6–7-year-old children attending schools in low-fluoride and naturally fluoridated areas in the UK

2012 ◽  
Vol 109 (10) ◽  
pp. 1903-1909 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. V. Zohoori ◽  
R. Walls ◽  
L. Teasdale ◽  
D. Landes ◽  
I. N. Steen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Pearson’S Correlation ◽  
North East ◽  
Important Trace Element ◽  
Pearson's Correlation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

F is an important trace element for bones and teeth. The protective effect of F against dental caries is well established. Urine is the prime vehicle for the excretion of F from the body; however, the relationship between F intake and excretion is complex: the derived fractional urinary F excretion (FUFE) aids understanding of this in different age groups. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between (1) total daily F intake (TDFI) and daily urinary F excretion (DUFE), and (2) TDFI and FUFE in 6–7-year-olds, recruited in low-F and naturally fluoridated (natural-F) areas in north-east England. TDFI from diet and toothbrushing and DUFE were assessed through F analysis of duplicate dietary plate, toothbrushing expectorate and urine samples using a F-ion-selective electrode. FUFE was calculated as the ratio between DUFE and TDFI. Pearson's correlation and regression analysis were used to investigate the relationship between TDFI and FUFE. A group of thirty-three children completed the study; twenty-one receiving low-F water (0·30 mg F/l) and twelve receiving natural-F water (1·06 mg F/l) at school. The mean TDFI was 0·076 (sd0·038) and 0·038 (sd0·027) mg/kg per d for the natural-F and low-F groups, respectively. The mean DUFE was 0·017 (sd0·007) and 0·012 (sd0·006) mg/kg per d for the natural-F and low-F groups, respectively. FUFE was lower in the natural-F group (30 %) compared with the low-F group (40 %). Pearson's correlation coefficient for (1) TDFI and DUFE was +0·22 (P= 0·22) and for (2) TDFI and FUFE was − 0·63 (P< 0·001). In conclusion, there was no correlation between TDFI and DUFE. However, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between FUFE and TDFI.

scholarly journals Bronchial obstruction and resistance to hypoxia in elderly patients with COPD

2020 ◽  
pp. 8-9
Author(s):  
E.O. Asanov ◽  
Yu.I. Holubova ◽  
I.A. Diba ◽  
S.O. Asanova ◽  
G.P. Voynarovskaya
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Pulmonary Ventilation ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Tissue Hypoxia ◽  
The Body ◽  
Bronchial Obstruction ◽  
Resistance To Hypoxia ◽  
Arterial Hypoxemia ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Relationship

Background. Age-related morphofunctional changes in the body lead to the development of arterial hypoxemia, tissue hypoxia and hypoxic changes. All this causes a decrease in the body’s resistance to hypoxia and contributes to the development of lung diseases, in particular, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the elderly. With the development of COPD in the elderly due to bronchial obstruction and disorders of pulmonary gas exchange, age-related hypoxic shifts, arterial hypoxemia, tissue hypoxia and resistance to hypoxia are further reduced. However, the relationship between bronchial obstruction and resistance to hypoxia in elderly patients with COPD has not been studied. Objective. To identify the relationship between bronchial patency and resistance to hypoxia in elderly patients with COPD. Materials and methods. The study included 30 patients with COPD in the elderly (60-74 years), I-II stage, without exacerbation, with a disease duration of 7 to 26 years, risk groups A and B. The type and severity of pulmonary ventilation were assessed indicators of spirometry and the curve “flow/volume” of forced exhalation on the device Spirobank (Mir, Italy). To determine the body’s resistance to hypoxia, a hypoxic test with 12 % oxygen content was performed for 12 min with monitoring of blood saturation using the automated software and hardware complex Hypotron (Ukraine). Results. Researches have shown that under hypoxic exposure, blood saturation in elderly patients with COPD is reduced, on average, by 18.23±0.26 %. This decrease in blood saturation can be regarded as severe arterial hypoxemia. At the same time, in elderly patients with COPD with an increase in bronchial patency disorders, the saturation shifts in hypoxia, on average, also increase. There was a significant correlation (r=0.50; p=0.006) of blood saturation shifts in hypoxia with bronchial obstruction. Conclusions. In elderly patients with COPD, resistance to hypoxia is determined by bronchial obstruction.

Ethical banking in practice: a closer look at the Co-operative Bank UK PLC

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boon Cheong Chew ◽  
Lay Hong Tan ◽  
Syaiful Rizal Hamid
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Corporate Image ◽  
The Body ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Banking Operations

Purpose – The main purposes of the study were to investigate the ethical banking operations based on the award-winning the UK Co-operative Bank which has successfully brought significant implications on sustaining the nation’s (the UK) socioenvironmental development. The Co-operative Bank operations are conceptualised into a solid ethical banking operations framework (EBOF) to contribute theoretically into enriching the body of the knowledge. Besides, by understanding the EBOF of an ethical banking system, the other banking players like the Malaysian bank can learn from this best practice and gradually shape its operation to become more ethical. Design/methodology/approach – The case study on the UK Co-operative Bank was based on primary data collected through a series of qualitative focus group conducted on 20 senior bank managers who were interested and were supportive of this research project. These experienced respondents are actively involved in the Co-operative Bank’s “Corporate Ethical Policy” formulation, as well as the implementation of this policy into the Co-operative Bank’s daily operations. Besides, secondary data are reviewed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding on the Co-operative Bank. The research began in December 2012 and was completed in August 2014. The main reason the researchers opted for qualitative studies is to comply with the criteria of inductive approach, whereby the final outcomes (EBOF) include the crystallisation of the ethical banking operations, which could be generalised theoretically and empirically. Findings – At the end of the study, EBOF based on the Co-operative Bank’s ethical operations (as the case studied) is constructed. As a conclusion, the Co-operative Bank has done tremendously well in sustaining the UK’s socioenvironmental development, which justifies the reason why the Co-operative Bank has won numerous prestigious awards and is being well recognised nationally and regionally. Practical implications – The novelty concept of ethical banking is driven by the global socioenvironmental initiative that influences some of the major financial institutions which are proactively and gradually shaping their corporate image in safeguarding the community around the environment. This research has successfully attained the ultimate objective to foster knowledge transfer through learning from the best (from the UK Co-operative Bank) in shaping local (Malaysia) ethical banking. Originality/value – This study constructs the EBOF based on the Co-operative Bank’s ethical operations that could be empirically disseminated and adopted in other banks’ operations (across the globe). This is aimed in shaping the local banking industry to become more ethical (learning from the best practice of the UK Co-operative Bank) in wealth creation that places high emphasis on socioenvironmental benefits rather than economic gain on profit maximisation alone. Besides, the EBOF contributes and enriches the body of the knowledge about ethical banking operations.

scholarly journals THE POTENTIAL AND PITFALLS OF GAMIFICATION TO SUPPORT OLDER ADULTS' ADHERENCE TO HEALTHCARE INTERVENTIONS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S32-S32
Author(s):  
Walter R Boot ◽  
Neil Charness
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
The Body ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Best Practice Guidelines ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Healthcare Interventions ◽  
Research And Education

Abstract The addition of video game-like elements to non-game activities, known as gamification, holds promise with respect to encouraging engagement with, and adherence to, health behaviors and healthcare interventions. Elements of gamification include the introduction of points systems, leaderboards, achievement badges, stories and themes, rewards, progress tracking, and challenges. However, a lack of enthusiasm for, and experience with, video game play by older adults has important implications for the effectiveness of these techniques across the lifespan. Specifically, the age-related “digital divide” must be considered before applying these approaches to improving the wellbeing, cognition, and health of older adults. This talk will build on the body of research conducted by the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) focused on gaming and interventions to present best practice guidelines for implementing gamification with older adults.

scholarly journals Self-reported sleep relates to hippocampal atrophy across the adult lifespan: results from the Lifebrain consortium

SLEEP ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders M Fjell ◽  
Øystein Sørensen ◽  
Inge K Amlien ◽  
David Bartrés-Faz ◽  
Didac Maciá Bros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Volume ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Hippocampal Atrophy ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Volume Loss ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adult Lifespan ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objectives Poor sleep is associated with multiple age-related neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions. The hippocampus plays a special role in sleep and sleep-dependent cognition, and accelerated hippocampal atrophy is typically seen with higher age. Hence, it is critical to establish how the relationship between sleep and hippocampal volume loss unfolds across the adult lifespan. Methods Self-reported sleep measures and MRI-derived hippocampal volumes were obtained from 3105 cognitively normal participants (18–90 years) from major European brain studies in the Lifebrain consortium. Hippocampal volume change was estimated from 5116 MRIs from 1299 participants for whom longitudinal MRIs were available, followed up to 11 years with a mean interval of 3.3 years. Cross-sectional analyses were repeated in a sample of 21,390 participants from the UK Biobank. Results No cross-sectional sleep—hippocampal volume relationships were found. However, worse sleep quality, efficiency, problems, and daytime tiredness were related to greater hippocampal volume loss over time, with high scorers showing 0.22% greater annual loss than low scorers. The relationship between sleep and hippocampal atrophy did not vary across age. Simulations showed that the observed longitudinal effects were too small to be detected as age-interactions in the cross-sectional analyses. Conclusions Worse self-reported sleep is associated with higher rates of hippocampal volume decline across the adult lifespan. This suggests that sleep is relevant to understand individual differences in hippocampal atrophy, but limited effect sizes call for cautious interpretation.

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