scholarly journals Translational Modeling of Psychomotor Function in Normal and AD-Pathological Aging With Special Concerns on the Effects of Social Isolation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidia Castillo-Mariqueo ◽  
Lydia Giménez-Llort
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Psychomotor Function ◽  
Frailty Phenotype ◽  
One Year ◽  
Physical Resistance

One year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, its secondary impacts can be globally observed. Some of them result from physical distancing and severe social contact restrictions by policies still imposed to stop the fast spread of new variants of this infectious disease. People with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias can also be significantly affected by the reduction of their activity programs, the loss of partners, and social isolation. Searching for the closest translational scenario, the increased mortality rates in male 3xTg-AD mice modeling advanced stages of the disease can provide a scenario of “naturalistic isolation.” Our most recent work has shown its impact worsening AD-cognitive and emotional profiles, AD-brain asymmetry, and eliciting hyperactivity and bizarre behaviors. Here, we further investigated the psychomotor function through six different psychomotor analysis in a set of 13-month-old 3xTg-AD mice and their non-transgenic counterparts with normal aging. The subgroup of male 3xTg-AD mice that lost their partners lived alone for the last 2–3 months after 10 months of social life. AD's functional limitations were shown as increased physical frailty phenotype, poor or deficient psychomotor performance, including bizarre behavior, in variables involving information processing and decision-making (exploratory activity and spontaneous gait), that worsened with isolation. Paradoxical muscular strength and better motor performance (endurance and learning) was shown in variables related to physical work and found enhanced by isolation, in agreement with the hyperactivity and the appearance of bizarre behaviors previously reported. Despite the isolation, a delayed appearance of motor deficits related to physical resistance and tolerance to exercise was found in the 3xTg-AD mice, probably because of the interplay of hyperactivity and mortality/survivor bias. The translation of these results to the clinical setting offers a guide to generate flexible and personalized rehabilitation strategies adaptable to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Frailty Phenotype and Healthcare Costs in Women in Late Life: The SOF study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 778-778
Author(s):  
Lisa Langsetmo ◽  
Allyson Kats ◽  
John Schousboe ◽  
Tien Vo ◽  
Brent Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Costs ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Deficit Accumulation ◽  
Frailty Phenotype ◽  
Medicare Claims ◽  
Accumulation Index ◽  
Direct Healthcare Costs ◽  
Frailty Indicator

Abstract We used data from 1324 women (mean age 83) at the 2002-2004 exam linked with their Medicare claims to determine the association of the frailty phenotype with healthcare costs. The frailty phenotype was categorized as robust, pre-frail or frail. Multimorbidity and a frailty indicator (approximating the deficit accumulation index) were derived from claims. Functional limitations were assessed by asking about difficulty performing IADL. Total direct healthcare costs were ascertained during 36 months following the exam. Compared with robust, pre-frailty and frailty were associated with higher costs after accounting for demographics, multimorbidity, functional limitations and the frailty indicator (cost ratio 1.37 [1.10-1.71] among pre-frail and 1.63 [1.28-2.08] among frail). Discrimination of high-cost (top decile) women was improved by adding the phenotype and functional limitations to a model containing demographics and the claims-based measures. Findings suggest that assessment of the phenotype may improve identification of individuals at higher risk of costly care.

scholarly journals “I Spent Most of Freshers in my Room”—A Qualitative Study of the Social Experiences of University Students on the Autistic Spectrum

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Goddard ◽  
Anna Cook
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Social Experiences ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Lives ◽  
Social Events ◽  
University Life ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAutistic university students face extra challenges in both their academic and social life. Barriers to socialising appear to be less well understood and supported by universities than academic requirements. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten autistic university students to explore their social experiences. Questions explored their social experiences, satisfaction with social life, disclosure of ASD to others, and the impact of mental wellbeing on university life. Thematic analysis indicated most participants were unsatisfied with their social lives and experienced mental health issues. Factors exacerbating social isolation included lack of suitable social events, lack of social support and feeling unable to disclose to peers. Factors which reduced social isolation included joining an autism or special interest society and receiving social mentoring.

scholarly journals Profiles of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Physically Active and Inactive Older Adults in Rural England

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3971
Author(s):  
Jolanthe de Koning ◽  
Suzanne H. Richards ◽  
Grace E. R. Wood ◽  
Afroditi Stathi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Physically Active

Objective: Loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risk of morbidity and mortality and physical inactivity in older age. This study explored the socioecological context in which both physically active and inactive older adults experience loneliness and/or social isolation in a UK rural setting. Design: A mixed-methods design employed semi structured interviews and accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Interviews explored the personal, social and environmental factors influencing engagement with physical activities, guided by an adapted-socioecological model of physical activity behaviour. Findings: Twenty-four older adults (MeanAge = 73 (5.8 SD); 12 women) were interviewed. Transcripts were thematically analysed and seven profiles of physical activity, social isolation and loneliness were identified. The high-MVPA group had established PA habits, reported several sources of social contact and evaluated their physical environment as activity friendly. The low MVPA group had diverse experiences of past engagement in social activities. Similar to the high MVPA, they reported a range of sources of social contact but they did not perceive the physical environment as activity friendly. Conclusions: Loneliness and/or social isolation was reported by both physically active and inactive older adults. There is wide diversity and complexity in types and intensity of PA, loneliness and social isolation profiles and personal, social and environmental contexts.

The twelve-month outcome of patients with neurotic illness in general practice

1981 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. Mann ◽  
R. Jenkins ◽  
E. Belsey
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
The Social ◽  
Assessment Measures ◽  
Psychiatric State ◽  
One Year

SYNOPSISOne hundred patients, selected to be representative of those attending general practitioners with non-psychotic psychiatric disorders were followed up for one year. standard assessments of mental state, personality, social stresses and supports were carried out for each patient at the outset and after a year.The outcome for this cohort determined both by the level of psychiatric morbidity at interview after one year and by the pattern of the psychiatric morbidity during the year has been analysed with reference to the assessment measures. Discriminant function analysis indicates that the initial estimate of the severity of the psychiatric morbidity and a rating of the quality of the social life at the time of follow-up are the only factors that significantly predict the psychiatric state after one year. Social measures also predict a pattern of illness charactorized by a rapid recovery after the initial assessemtn. Patients who reported continuous psychiatric morbidity during the year were, older, physically ill and very likely to have recevied psychotropic drugs. Receipt of this medication during the year was associated with initial assessments of abnormality of personality, older age, and a diagnosis of depression.The findings of this study are seen to support a triaxial assessment and classification of non-psychotic psychiatirc disorders, with symptoms, personality and social state being rated independently.

scholarly journals Oral Health Impact Profile and Self-perception of Patients in Brazil with Implant-supported Prostheses

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Briancini Mattiello ◽  
Marcia Borba ◽  
Diego José Gambin ◽  
Thamiris Nogueira Sacker ◽  
Joao Paulo De Carli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Bleeding On Probing ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
Masticatory Ability ◽  
Edentulous Patients ◽  
One Year ◽  
Lower Arch

Introduction: Implant supported prosthetic rehabilitation could re-establish the comfort and bring a confident smile to patients, allowing them to eat properly and to lead a social life free of traumas and complexes. Aim: To verify which type of implant-supported rehabilitation- overdenture or fixed denture effectively restores the comfort of the lower arch of partial edentulous patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional clinical study was performed in patients with completely edentulous lower arch treated with either overdenture (2 implants) or fixed denture (5-6 implants), obtained from a sample from Southern Brazil. The study sample was composed of 37 volunteers who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Half of them were rehabilitated with overdenture (O- ring and bar) and the other half with fixed denture (Branemark protocol). A clinical evaluation was performed to obtain the Index of Plaque (PI) and bleeding on probing indexes (BI). Three questionnaires were applied to quantify the patient’s level of satisfaction with their prosthetic treatment (OHIP-EDENT and masticatory ability questionnaires) up to one year after installation of the prosthesis. Results were analysed by the Mann-Whitney test (α=0.05). Results: All treatments were considered satisfactory regarding masticatory ability. However, fixed dentures had a statistically higher level of satisfaction compared to overdenture. There were significant differences in the mean PI and BI index between the groups. Conclusion: Both rehabilitation treatments increased the satisfaction and improved the oral health and masticatory ability of edentulous patients. However, although patients rehabilitated with fixed dentures presented higher level of satisfaction, they also showed higher plaque and bleeding on probing indexes.

scholarly journals THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL ISOLATION AND NEIGHBORHOOD DANGER ON OLDER ADULTS’ FUNCTIONAL STATUS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S529-S530
Author(s):  
Ilana J Engel ◽  
Tamara A Baker
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Perceived Social Isolation ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Social isolation is often associated with smaller social networks, bereavement, and chronic health problems. In addition, underserved neighborhoods, without the resources and social support of other areas, may further promote social isolation among older adults. This study utilized data from the 2nd wave of the nationally representative National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) to examine if perceived neighborhood danger mediates the relationship between social isolation and functional impairment. We hypothesized that those who are less socially connected and feel less safe in their communities may experience worse health outcomes. Data for the total sample (N=1,804; 62-91 years of age) showed that partial mediation was supported, (F 2, 1801 = 22.91, p<0.01). Similar statistics were found by gender (men, F 2, 985 = 8.20, p<0.01; women, F 2, 813 = 14.79, p<0.01). This relationship, however, showed a stronger association among women (β = -.39, p<.01) than men (β = -.26, p<.05). Findings indicate that the relationship between perceived social isolation and impaired functional status may be partially explained by perceived neighborhood danger. These findings suggest that older adults who perceive their neighborhoods as dangerous, may be more socially isolated, and at risk for functional decline. These results support the Reserve Capacity Model, which posits that social resources are of increased importance for socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. Additional research is needed to examine how such factors as stress, environment, and access to care contribute to our understanding of health outcomes among this population of adults.

The Silver Line Helpline: a “ChildLine” for older people

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Emily Wilcox
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Telephone Helpline ◽  
Specialist Services ◽  
Silver Line

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the work of the new, free telephone helpline The Silver Line in empowering older people to overcome social isolation and loneliness, and where appropriate refer cases of abuse and neglect to specialist services. Design/methodology/approach – Beginning with a family member's description of how the helpline made a difference to her relative this paper then outlines the rationale, methods and outcomes of The Silver Line, including a role it may play in reducing demand for NHS services. Findings – The paper highlights that social isolation and loneliness can be tackled through a helpline which leaves control firmly in the hands of callers while offering them a gateway to activities and services. Practical implications – It seems that telephone contact is a particularly helpful way for isolated people to begin to build social contact given that there is evidence of a stigma associated with admitting to loneliness. Social implications – Given a straightforward way to connect to others, people are empowered to overcome their own loneliness, improve their well-being and sometimes to rejoin their community. The charity reports that callers to the helpline may themselves become volunteer befrienders (“Silver Line Friends”) providing support to others and gaining evidence of their own value to society. In addition, a friendly chat over the phone can be an enabling link to gaining new skills, such as computer literacy, which may otherwise seem out of reach or irrelevant. Originality/value – The paper emphasises the importance of this helpline specifically and the wider need for hard to reach, isolated older people to have an accessible stepping stone to greater social contact and a higher quality of life.

Kontaktzonen und der Körper des Anthropologen. Zu den Tagebuchaufzeichnungen und Briefen von Franz Boas und Bronislaw Malinowski

Paragrana ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-119
Author(s):  
Mario Bührmann
Keyword(s):  
Contact Zone ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Cultural Encounters ◽  
Franz Boas ◽  
Bronislaw Malinowski ◽  
Mary Louise Pratt ◽  
Anthropological Fieldwork ◽  
Physical Resistance ◽  
Bronisław Malinowski

AbstractThis paper explores how the concept of the 'contact zone′ (conceived by Mary Louise Pratt) can be extended by means of an issue which she does not mention: the physical shape and specific corporeal reactions of those acting in cultural encounters. By means of two case studies it will be questioned if and how ethnographers regard their body as an important constituent of 'contact zones′ generated by anthropological fieldwork ‒ and how concepts of performativity may serve to shed light on these particular interactions between the ethnographer′s body and its social environment. Therefore I will pay attention to the records in the diaries and letters of Franz Boas (1858–1942) und Bronislaw Malinowski (1884–1942), since both scholars are wedded with the methodological scheme of 'participant observation′, which specifically claims the physical presence of the ethnographer by means of long standing fieldwork. With a 'performative′ view to their 'fieldwork performances′ it becomes clear that they, certainly without using the term, even regard and utilize their skin as a 'contact zone′: through the corporeal surface and its physical resistance they detect the haptic, olfactory and gustatory qualities of social life. Moreover, a performative′ view to the concept of the 'contact zone′, particularly against the background of this ethnological context, exposes the problem of the seminal methodological scheme of 'participant observation′.

scholarly journals Transitions in Loneliness Among Older Adults: A 5-Year Follow-Up in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise C. Hawkley ◽  
Masha Kocherginsky
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Functional Factors ◽  
Older Adult Population ◽  
Health And Well Being

A substantial portion of the older adult population suffers from frequent feelings of loneliness, but a large proportion remains relatively unscathed by loneliness. To date, research examining both protective and risk factors for loneliness has not included data from the United States. The present study used the first two waves of data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to examine sociodemographic, structural, and functional factors thought to be associated with loneliness in older adults. Functional limitations and low family support were associated with an increase in loneliness frequency (as were more strained friendships) and with transitioning from nonlonely to lonely status. Better self-rated health, higher levels of socializing frequency, and lower family strain were associated with transitioning from lonely to nonlonely status. Interventions that target these factors may be effective in preventing and reducing loneliness and its effects on health and well-being in older adults.

The Outcome of Severe Acute Schizophrenic Illnesses After One Year

1979 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eve C. Johnstone ◽  
C. D. Frith ◽  
Aviva Gold ◽  
Marilyn Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Drug Treatment ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Acute Illness ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Poor Outcome ◽  
One Year ◽  
Psychological Features

SummaryForty-five patients with acute schizophrenic illnesses (defined by PSE criteria) were assessed in clinical, cognitive and social terms before being entered in a four week study of the isomers of flupenthixol and placebo. At the end of one year they were re-assessed in the same terms. The clinical and psychological features of the acute illness and the drug treatment given did not predict outcome. Poor outcome in social terms was significantly related to severe social isolation in the initial assessment and to the presence of nuclear symptoms and negative schizophrenic features at follow-up.

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