scholarly journals Benefits of Higher Cardiovascular and Motor Coordinative Fitness on Driving Behavior Are Mediated by Cognitive Functioning: A Path Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Stojan ◽  
Navin Kaushal ◽  
Otmar Leo Bock ◽  
Nicole Hudl ◽  
Claudia Voelcker-Rehage
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Cardiovascular Fitness ◽  
Lane Keeping

Driving is an important skill for older adults to maintain an independent lifestyle, and to preserve the quality of life. However, the ability to drive safely in older adults can be compromised by age-related cognitive decline. Performing an additional task during driving (e.g., adjusting the radio) increases cognitive demands and thus might additionally impair driving performance. Cognitive functioning has been shown to be positively related to physical activity/fitness such as cardiovascular and motor coordinative fitness. As such, a higher fitness level might be associated with higher cognitive resources and may therefore benefit driving performance under dual-task conditions. For the first time, the present study investigated whether this association of physical fitness and cognitive functioning causes an indirect relationship between physical fitness and dual-task driving performance through cognitive functions. Data from 120 healthy older adults (age: 69.56 ± 3.62, 53 female) were analyzed. Participants completed tests on cardiovascular fitness (cardiorespiratory capacity), motor coordinative fitness (composite score: static balance, psychomotor speed, bimanual dexterity), and cognitive functions (updating, inhibition, shifting, cognitive processing speed). Further, they performed a virtual car driving scenario where they additionally engaged in cognitively demanding tasks that were modeled after typical real-life activities during driving (typing or reasoning). Structural equation modeling (path analysis) was used to investigate whether cardiovascular and motor coordinative fitness were indirectly associated with lane keeping (i.e., variability in lateral position) and speed control (i.e., average velocity) while dual-task driving via cognitive functions. Both cardiovascular and motor coordinative fitness demonstrated the hypothesized indirect effects on dual-task driving. Motor coordinative fitness showed a significant indirect effect on lane keeping, while cardiovascular fitness demonstrated a trend-level indirect effect on speed control. Moreover, both fitness domains were positively related to different cognitive functions (processing speed and/or updating), and cognitive functions (updating or inhibition), in turn, were related to dual-task driving. These findings indicate that cognitive benefits associated with higher fitness may facilitate driving performance. Given that driving with lower cognitive capacity can result in serious consequences, this study emphasizes the importance for older adults to engage in a physically active lifestyle as it might serve as a preventive measure for driving safety.

scholarly journals Brain Training and Sulforaphane Intake Interventions Separately Improve Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults, Whereas a Combination of These Interventions Does Not Have More Beneficial Effects: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 352
Author(s):  
Rui Nouchi ◽  
Qingqiang Hu ◽  
Toshiki Saito ◽  
Natasha Yuriko dos Santos Kawata ◽  
Haruka Nouchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Brain Training ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Double Blinded

Background: Earlier studies have demonstrated that a single-domain intervention, such as a brain-training (BT) game alone and a sulforaphane (SFN) intake, positively affects cognition. This study examined whether a combined BT and SFN intake intervention has beneficial effects on cognitive function in older adults. Methods: In a 12-week double-blinded randomized control trial, 144 older adults were randomly assigned to one of four groups: BT with SFN (BT-S), BT with placebo (BT-P), active control game (AT) with SFN (AT-S), and active control game with placebo (AT-P). We used Brain Age in BT and Tetris in AT. Participants were asked to play BT or AT for 15 min a day for 12 weeks while taking a supplement (SFN or placebo). We measured several cognitive functions before and after the intervention period. Results: The BT (BT-S and BT-P) groups showed more improvement in processing speed than the active control groups (AT-S and AT-P). The SFN intake (BT-S and AT-S) groups recorded significant improvements in processing speed and working memory performance unlike the placebo intake groups (BT-P and AT-P). However, we did not find any evidence of the combined intervention’s beneficial effects on cognition. Discussion: We discussed a mechanism to improve cognitive functions in the BT and SFN alone interventions.

scholarly journals PERFORMANCE ON COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING RELATED TO SUCCESSFUL AGING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S654-S654
Author(s):  
Neyda Ma Mendoza Ruvalcaba ◽  
Elva Dolores Arias Merino ◽  
Maria Elena Flores Villavicencio ◽  
Melina Rodriguez Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Learning Potential ◽  
Visuospatial Skills

Abstract Introduction The cognitive functioning, as a general measure, is a criterion commonly used to define and operationalize successful aging. (Project-Conacyt-256589) The aim of this study is to analyze cognitive function and its relationship with the successful aging in older adults. Methods Population based, random sample included n=401 community-dwelling older adults 60-years and older (mean age=72.51,SD=8.11 years,59.4% women). Cognitive functioning was assessed by a comprehensive battery including working memory(Digit Span Backward WAIS-IV), episodic memory, metamemory(self-report), processing speed(Symbol Digit WAIS-IV), attention(TMT-A), executive functioning(TMT-B), learning potential(RAVLT), language(FAS), visuospatial skills(Block Design WAIS-IV). Successful aging was operationalized in accordance with Rowe & Kahn definition (no important disease, no disability, physical functioning, cognitive functioning, and being actively engaged). Sociodemographic and health data were also asked. Data were analyzed in SPSSv24. Results In total 11.2% were successful agers and 11.4% had Mild Cognitive impairment. Global cognitive functioning was significantly related to the achievement of successful aging criteria. Specifically, the more successful agers showed a significant (p′s<.05) better performance on learning potential, working memory, metamemory, processing speed and attention. Executive functions were not related to successful aging criteria. None cognitive domain was related to the being actively engaged criteria. Better visuospatial skills were showed in older adults meeting the criteria of being free of disability and high physical functioning. Conclusion Knowledge generated by this study reveals the role of specific domains of cognitive functioning in successful aging, and sets a scenario to promote successful aging, through alternatives centered in the improvement of cognition in the older adults.

scholarly journals Falls Risk and Simulated Driving Performance in Older Adults

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Gaspar ◽  
Mark B. Neider ◽  
Arthur F. Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Unexpected Events ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Simulated Driving ◽  
Dual Task Performance

Declines in executive function and dual-task performance have been related to falls in older adults, and recent research suggests that older adults at risk for falls also show impairments on real-world tasks, such as crossing a street. The present study examined whether falls risk was associated with driving performance in a high-fidelity simulator. Participants were classified as high or low falls risk using the Physiological Profile Assessment and completed a number of challenging simulated driving assessments in which they responded quickly to unexpected events. High falls risk drivers had slower response times (~2.1 seconds) to unexpected events compared to low falls risk drivers (~1.7 seconds). Furthermore, when asked to perform a concurrent cognitive task while driving, high falls risk drivers showed greater costs to secondary task performance than did low falls risk drivers, and low falls risk older adults also outperformed high falls risk older adults on a computer-based measure of dual-task performance. Our results suggest that attentional differences between high and low falls risk older adults extend to simulated driving performance.

scholarly journals Effect of 3-Months Home-Based Exercise Program on Changes of Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults Living in Old People’s Home

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dagmar Nemček ◽  
Alexander Simon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Home Based ◽  
And Control

SummaryThe aim of the study was to determine the effect of regular participation in home-based exercise programme on cognitive functioning changes in institutionalised older adults. Two groups of participants were recruited for the study: experimental (n = 17) in mean age 76 ± 5.6 years, who participated in home-based exercise program and control (n = 14) in mean age 80 ± 4.2 years. The standardised Stroop Color-Word Test-Victoria version (VST) was used to measure the level of cognitive functions. Group differences were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U-test for independent samples and for differences between pre-measurements and post-measurements on experimental and control group we used non-parametric Wilcoxon Signed - Rank Test. The level of significance was α < 0.05. Application of 3-months home-based exercise program significantly improved the cognitive functions only in one (Word condition; p<0.01) from three VST conditions in institutionalised older adults. That’s why we recommend longer participation in home-based exercise program, at least 6- months, with combination of various types of cognitive interventions, like concepts of cognitive training, cognitive rehabilitation, and cognitive stimulation to improve cognitive functioning in older adults living in old peoples’ homes.

scholarly journals Treinamento físico multimodal com dupla tarefa na doença de Alzheimer: efeito nas funções cognitivas e na força muscular

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Naves Ferreira ◽  
Emmanuel Dias de Sousa Lopes ◽  
Isadora Ferreira Henriques ◽  
Marina De Melo Reis ◽  
Amanda Morais de Pádua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Clock Drawing Test ◽  
And Control

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dual task multimodal physical training (MPT) on the cognitive functions and muscle strength in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were 19 subjects with AD in the mild and moderate stages, divided into training group (TG) and control group (CG). The TG performed dual task MPT for 12 weeks. Subjects were evaluated at the pre- and post-intervention moments. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) were used to assess cognition. For muscle strength, the Chair Lift and Sit Test (CLST) and Manual Grasp Force (MGF) were used. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze pre and post intragroup moments. The TG showed a significant improvement in FAB and CLST (p≤0.05) and a tendency to improve the MMSE score (p≤0.08). The CG showed significant improvement in CLST (p≤0.05). Dual task MPT improves the frontal cognitive functions and lower limb muscle strength of older adults with AD.

Heterogeneity of late-life depression: relationship with cognitive functioning

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 953-963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole C. M. Korten ◽  
Brenda W. J. H. Penninx ◽  
Rob M. Kok ◽  
Max L. Stek ◽  
Richard C. Oude Voshaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Psychotropic Medication ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Depressive Episode ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Symptom Dimensions ◽  
Cognitive Domains

ABSTRACTBackground:Late-life depression is a heterogeneous disorder, whereby cognitive impairments are often observed. This study examines which clinical characteristics and symptom dimensions of late-life depression are especially impacting on specific cognitive domains.Methods:Cross-sectional data of 378 depressed and 132 non-depressed older adults between 60–93 years, from the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older adults (NESDO) were used. Depressed older adults were recruited from both inpatient and outpatient mental healthcare institutes and general practices, and diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Multivariable associations were examined with depression characteristics (severity, onset, comorbidity, psychotropic medication) and symptom dimensions as independent variables and cognitive domains (episodic memory, processing speed, interference control, working memory) as dependent variables.Results:Late-life depression was associated with poorer cognitive functioning. Within depressed participants, higher severity of psychopathology and having a first depressive episode was associated with poorer cognitive functioning. The use of tricyclic antidepressants, serotonergic and noradrenergic working antidepressants, and benzodiazepines was associated with worse cognitive functioning. Higher scores on the mood dimension were associated with poorer working memory and processing speed, whereas higher scores on a motivational and apathy dimension were associated with poorer episodic memory and processing speed.Conclusions:Heterogeneity in late-life depression may lead to differences in cognitive functioning. Higher severity and having a first depressive episode was associated with worse cognitive performance. Additionally, different domains of cognitive functioning were associated with specific symptom dimensions. Our findings on the use of psychotropic medication suggest that close monitoring on cognitive side effects is needed.

scholarly journals Associations Between Self- and Informant-Reported Abilities of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and Cognitive Functions in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Wenjia Liang ◽  
Joseph H R Maes
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Instrumental Activities ◽  
Cognitive Processing Speed

Abstract Objective Older adults (OAs) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) show disabilities in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which have been linked to compromised cognitive functioning. However, it is unclear which cognitive functions are primarily involved. The present study sought to identify the cognitive function(s) most strongly associated with the IADL limitations in MCI. Method OAs with MCI (N = 120) completed cognitive tasks measuring general cognitive processing speed, working memory (WM) maintenance and updating, inhibition, and shifting ability. IADL abilities were assessed through both self- and informant reports. Results Self-reported IADL abilities were positively associated with both cognitive processing speed and WM updating capacity. Informant-reported IADL abilities were also positively associated with processing speed and WM updating, in addition to cognitive shifting ability. Conclusion Both general processing speed and WM updating capacity were consistently predictive of IADL abilities. These results might inform the design of training programs aimed at maintaining or improving functional independence in individuals with MCI to focus more on these cognitive functions. However, the strength of the association between specific cognitive functions and IADL abilities in OAs with MCI depends on the source of the information about the IADL abilities, which highlights the need for gathering data from both the examinee and informants.

Cognitive Reserve Moderates the Efficiency of Prefrontal Cortex Activation Patterns of Gait in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roee Holtzer ◽  
Daliah Ross ◽  
Catherine O’Brien ◽  
Meltem Izzetoglu ◽  
Mark E Wagshul
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Word Reading ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Single Task

Abstract Background Cognitive Reserve (CR) protects against cognitive decline, but whether CR influences the efficiency of cortical control of gait has not been reported. The current study addressed this important gap in the literature. Specifically, we determined the role of CR in moderating the efficiency of functional Near-Infrared-Spectroscopy (fNIRS)-derived HbO2 in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) assessed during active walking. We hypothesized that higher CR would be associated with more efficient brain activation patterns. Methods Participants were 55 (mean age=74.84; %female=49.1) older adults who underwent the combined walking/fNIRS protocol and had MRI data. We used an established dual-task walking paradigm that consisted of three task conditions: Single-Task-Walk (STW), Single-Task-Alpha (STA, cognitive task) and Dual-Task-Walk (DTW). Using the residuals approach, CR was derived from a word-reading test score by removing variance accounted for by socio-demographic variables, tests of current cognitive functions and a measure of structural brain integrity. Results CR moderated the change in fNIRS-derived HbO2 in the PFC across tasks. Higher CR was associated with smaller increases in fNIRS-derived HbO2 from the single tasks to dual task walking (CR x DTW compared to STW: estimate = .183; p &lt; .001; CR x DTW compared to STA: estimate =.257; p &lt; .001). The moderation effect of CR remained significant when adjusting for multiple covariates and concurrent moderation effects of measures of gait performance, current cognitive functions and structural integrity of the brain. Conclusion The current study provided first evidence that higher CR was associated with better neural efficiency of walking in older adults.

scholarly journals HOW ARE SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS RELATED TO COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S850-S851
Author(s):  
Rumei Yang ◽  
Haocen Wang ◽  
Eunjin L Tracy ◽  
Linda S Edelman ◽  
Katherine Sward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Older adults have increased risk of social isolation, loneliness, and cognitive functioning decline, but the relationships among these factors are not conclusive. We used the 2011 and 2012 waves of the harmonized China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study to: 1) measure the association between social isolation and cognitive functioning among Chinese older adults within their cultural context, and 2) investigate the potential mediation mechanism of loneliness on this association. Specifically, we applied a multiple indicator multiple cause approach to determine whether the construct of social isolation is well defined by four indicators (social activity engagement, weekly adult children contact, caregiving for grandchildren, and living alone). We used structural equation modeling to examine the direct and indirect effects among variables of interest. The results demonstrated that three indicators of social isolation were significantly associated with cognitive functioning (β =-0.26 to -0.28, all ps&lt;0.05). The indirect effect of social isolation on cognitive functioning through loneliness was significant (β = -0.15, p&lt;0.05), indicating loneliness was an important mediator. After controlling for the indirect effect of loneliness, the direct effect of social isolation on cognitive functioning remained significant (β =-0.83, p&lt;0.05), suggesting a partial mediation effect. Our study confirms that social isolation contributes to cognitive functioning decline among Chinese older adults and that loneliness plays a mediating role. The findings suggest maintaining social relations and coping with feelings of loneliness are beneficial to older adults’ cognitive functioning.

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