scholarly journals Evaluating the Efficacy of Therapeutic Programs on Improving Cognitive Function and Depression among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3218
Author(s):  
Jaeeon Yoo ◽  
Sunhee Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Group Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Meta Regression Analysis ◽  
Comprehensive Curriculum

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect size of programs for enhancing cognition and alleviating depression in older adults with dementia. This study selected 45 cognition and 37 depression programs, which conducted pre- and post-tests and had a treatment group and a control group comprising older adults living in Korea. This study conducted a meta-regression analysis to examine the moderating effect of the program location, number of sessions, intervals, group activities, and curriculum on cognition and depression. Most programs improved cognitive function and lowered depression symptoms. The heterogeneity of the effect size was large. The effect size of the number of sessions on a cognitive function significantly increased with an increasing number of sessions. The effect size of the group activity program on cognitive function was higher. The effect of healthcare institutions on depression was lower compared to other locations. To make more effective interventions for cognition and depression, long-term and group activity programs following a comprehensive curriculum will be required. The programs of healthcare institutions are encouraged to accept the advantages of other institutions and apply them to improve the effects of the programs on depression. Future studies shall focus on establishing concrete measures to enable healthcare institutions to connect older adults with dementia with various other institutions that offer long-term group programs.

scholarly journals Effects of the Intervention “Reflective STRENGTH-Giving Dialogues” for Older Adults Living with Long-Term Pain: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Lena Hedén ◽  
Mia Berglund ◽  
Catharina Gillsjö
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression Symptoms

Background. Long-term musculoskeletal pain is a major, often undertreated, disabling health problem among an increasing number of older adults. Reflective STRENGTH-giving dialogues (STRENGTH) may be a tool to support older adults living with long-term pain. The main aim of this pilot study was to investigate the immediate and longitudinal effect of the intervention STRENGTH on levels of pain, wellbeing, occurrence of depression symptoms, and sense of coherence (SOC) among community-dwelling older adults suffering from musculoskeletal pain compared to a control group. Methods. The study was semiexperimental with an intervention group and a control group. The effect of a single STRENGTH intervention was reported on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) regarding pain and wellbeing. To evaluate the longitudinal effect of STRENGTH, using the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), the Geriatric Depression Scale-20 (GDS-20), SOC-13 at baseline (T1), and six months after the intervention/no intervention (T2), a total of 30 older adults, aged 72 to 97 years (Mdn 86 years), were included consecutively and fulfilled the intervention series (n = 18) or untreated controls (n = 12). Results. The intervention with STRENGTH decreases pain (NRS 6 Mdn versus NRS 4 Mdn, p<0.001) and increases wellbeing (NRS 7 Mdn versus NRS 8 Mdn, p<0.001). After a six-month study period with STRENGTH, no longitudinal effect difference was found compared to baseline. Compared to the control group, there was an increasing trend between decreased pain level and increased SOC level for STRENGTH intervention. Conclusions. This pilot study supports STRENGTH’s effect as a pain-alleviating model that provides a decrease in pain levels and an increase of wellbeing in older adults with long-term pain. STRENGTH dialogues could be a useful intervention to provide individually holistic care in older adults living with long-term pain.

iRest Meditation for Older Adults with Depression Symptoms: 6-Month and 1-Year Follow-up

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-56
Author(s):  
Helané Wahbeh ◽  
Nina Fry
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Depression Score ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Score Improvement ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

Abstract Preliminary positive evidence supports the use of iRest (Integrative Restoration) in older adults with depression symptoms. No long-term follow-up measures have been reported on whether the preliminary effects continue beyond initial iRest trainings. The growing population of older adults with depression symptoms is a serious public health issue, and effective interventions to support this vulnerable population are warranted. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the depression and depression-related symptoms 6 and 12 months after an iRest intervention. All study measures were collected online. Twenty-five of the original participants completed the 6- and 12-month surveys. Of those, nine stated that they still practiced the guided meditations at the time of the 12-month follow-up (five iRest and four vacation participants). Both groups had improvements in depression scores from baseline (week 0) to the 12-month follow-up. There were no differences between groups on depression symptoms or other measures except for negative mood and perceived stress, which were improved in the vacation group compared to the iRest group. Meditation practice was not a significant predictor of depression score improvement.

scholarly journals 400 - Effects of Computerized Cognitive Training with an Elderly Community Sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 116-116
Author(s):  
M Pires ◽  
A Antunes ◽  
C Gameiro ◽  
C Pombo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Before And After

Community-focused programs that promote active and healthy aging can help preserve cognitive capacities, prevent or reverse cognitive deficits. Computer-based cognitive training (CCT) is a promising non-pharmacological, cost -effective and accessible intervention to face the effects of age-related cognitive decline. Previous studies proved CCT to have equal or better efficacy compared to traditional interventions. This comparative multifactorial study aims to test the efficacy of a CCT in a non-randomized community sample of 74 older adults: G1-CCT Experimental group (n=43) (Mean age M=72.21, SD=12.65) and G2- Paper-Pencil Control group (n=31; M=77.94, SD=10.51). Pensioners (97.3%), mostly women (83.8 %) with basic education (51.4%) and without dementia diagnosis, completed a cognitive training program of 17 or 34 group sessions (twice a week). G2 undertook a classic cognitive paper-pencil stimuli tasks. G1, performed, additionally, individual CCT with COGWEB® in a multimodal format (intensive training of attention, calculation, memory, gnosis, praxis, executive functions). Both groups completed Portuguese versions of Mini -Mental State Examination (MMSE),Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA); Geriatric Depressive Scale (GDS); Mini Dependence Assessment (MDA); WHOOQL 5 and Social Support Satisfaction Scale (ESSS) before and after participating in the program. Both groups reported better post-test scores on basic cognitive functions (MMSE, MOCA), Depression symptoms (GDS-30), subjective well-being and quality of life (WHOOQL-5). G1 presented higher MOCA and lower GDS scores before and after CCT, although, group differences become less expressive when interaction effects are considered. Results are in line with findings from past studies, CCT supported by the new technologies, is as a relevant cost-effective therapeutic tool for health professionals working with older adults. Particularly for preventive purposes of neuro-cognitive disorders.

scholarly journals Longitudinal impact and effects of booster sessions in a cognitive training program for healthy elderly

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Matias Felix ◽  
Marcela Mansur Alves ◽  
Mariana Teles ◽  
Laura Jamison ◽  
Hudson Golino
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Longitudinal Impact ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Booster Sessions ◽  
Experimental Group

This paper reports the results from a three-years follow-up study to access the long-term efficacy of a cognitive training for healthy older adults and investigates the effects of booster sessions on the cognitive performance of the participants using an innovative analytical approach from information theory. Design: semi-randomized quasi-experimental controlled design. Participants: 50 healthy older adults, (M = 73.3, SD = 7.77) were assigned into an experimental (N = 25; Mean age = 73.9; SD = 8.62) and a passive control group (N = 25; mean age = 72.9; SD = 6.97). Instruments: six subtests of WAIS and two episodic memory tasks. Procedures: the participants were assessed in four occasions: after the end of the original intervention, pre-booster sessions (three years after the original intervention), immediately after the booster sessions and three months after the booster sessions. Results: the repeated measures ANOVA showed that two gains reported in the original intervention were identified in the follow-up: Coding (F(1, 44) = 11.79, MSE = 0.77, p = .001, ηˆG2 = .084) and Picture Completion (F(1, 47) = 10.01, MSE = 0.73, p = .003, ηˆG2 = .060). After the booster sessions, all variables presented a significant interaction between group and time favorable to the experimental group (moderate to high effect sizes). To compare the level of cohesion of the cognitive variables between the groups, an entropy-based metric was used. The experimental group presented a lower level of cohesion in three of the four measurement occasions, suggesting a differential impact of the intervention with immediate and short-term effects, but without long-term effects.

scholarly journals Chemoprophylaxis trial designs in epidemics: insights from a systematic review of COVID-19 study registrations

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakshmi Manoharan ◽  
Piero Olliaro ◽  
Peter W. Horby ◽  
Conall H. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Adaptive Design ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Design Features ◽  
Included Trial ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract Background Chemoprophylactics against emerging epidemic and pandemic infectious diseases offer potential for prevention but require efficacy and safety analysis before widespread use can be recommended. Chemoprophylaxis with repurposed drugs enables deployment ahead of development of novel vaccines. It may have particular utility as a stopgap ahead of vaccine deployment or when vaccines become less effective on virus variants, in countries where there may be structural inaccessibility to vaccines or in specific risk-groups. Rapid implementation of robust trial designs is a persistent challenge in epidemics. We systematically reviewed SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 chemoprophylaxis trial registrations from the first 21 weeks of the pandemic to critically appraise significant design features and alignment of study populations to clinical and public health uses, and describe candidate chemoprophylactic agents. Methods We searched online international trial databases from 31 Dec 2019 to 26 May 2020 using keywords “proph*” or “prevention”. Trial protocols assessing efficacy of chemoprophylactic agents for COVID-19 were included. Trial components were screened for eligibility and relevant studies extracted. Key trial design features were assessed. Results We found 76 chemoprophylaxis study registrations, proposing enrolment of 208,367 people with median size of 490 (IQR 262–1710). A randomised design was specified for 63 trials, 61 included a control group and total proposed enrolment size was 197,010, median 600 (IQR 236–1834). Four protocols provided information on effect size sought. We estimate that for a control group attack rate of 10%, 66% of trials would be underpowered to detect a 50% effect size, and 97% of trials would be underpowered to detect a 30% effect size (at the 80% level). We found evidence of adaptive design in one trial registration only. Laboratory-confirmed infection with or without symptoms was the most common primary outcome. Polymerase chain reaction testing alone was used in 46% of trials, serological testing in 6.6% and 14.5% used both testing methods. Healthcare workers were the target population in 52/79 (65.8%) trials: 49 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and 3 post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Sixteen trials (20.3%) planned PEP in close contacts. Five studies (6.3%) considered chemoprophylaxis in clinical-risk patients. Older adults were the focus of recruitment in only 3 (3.8%) studies (all long-term care facilities). Two (2.5%) studies of PrEP in the general population included older adults. Hydroxychloroquine was the most common candidate agent in 55/79 trials (69.6%), followed by chloroquine (4/79, 5.0%) and lopinavir/ritonavir (3/79, 3.8%). Conclusion Many registered COVID-19 chemoprophylaxis efficacy trials were underpowered to detect clinically meaningful protection at epidemiologically informed attack rates. This, compounded with the time that has taken to organise these trials as compared to the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, has rendered these trials of marginal importance. International coordination mechanisms and collaboration is required. Supporting the design of feasible chemoprophylaxis trials, large enough to generate strong evidence, early on in an epidemic using adaptive platform trial designs will allow structured entry and exit of candidate agents and rapid stand-up of trial infrastructure. Review protocol registration Our protocol is registered at https://www.osf.io/vp56f on May 20, 2020.

scholarly journals INTEREST GROUP SESSION—ORAL HEALTH: COGNITIVE FUNCTION, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND ORAL HEALTH STATUS AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S349-S349
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Stephen K Shuman ◽  
Michele Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
The U.S

Abstract There is an increasing awareness of the importance of oral health and its associated risk factors among older adults. This symposium includes four papers that address cognitive function, social support and oral health problems and symptoms among older adults in the U.S. and China. Lu and his colleagues examined the reciprocal relationship between cognitive function and complete tooth loss Chinese adults age 50+ using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal study. The results show that there is a reciprocal relationship between these two indicators. The second paper used the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) and examined the associations between tooth/gums symptoms and changes in cognitive function in Chinese older immigrants. The results reveal that having teeth symptoms was associated with a decline in cognitive function. Using the same PINE data, the third paper examined the association between different characteristics of social relationships and the number of oral health problems among U.S. older Chinese adults. Wu and her colleagues conducted a partner-assisted pilot intervention to improve oral health for community-dwelling older adults with either mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. The results of this 6-month intervention show that persons in the treatment group had more improvement in oral hygiene than those in the control group. Findings from these four papers illustrate that cognitive function, social support, and oral health are interrelated. This symposium highlights the importance of improving cognitive health, social support, and oral health for middle-aged and older adults.

scholarly journals Treated hypothyroidism, cognitive function, and depressed mood in old age: the Rancho Bernardo Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 161 (6) ◽  
pp. 917-921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline K Kramer ◽  
Denise von Mühlen ◽  
Donna Kritz-Silverstein ◽  
Elizabeth Barrett-Connor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Depressed Mood ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Antidepressant Medication ◽  
Primary Hypothyroidism ◽  
Overt Hypothyroidism

ObjectiveOvert hypothyroidism is associated with cognitive impairment, which can be reversed if treated early and appropriately. We compared cognitive function (CF) of euthyroid older adults with those who had long-term treated hypothyroidism.MethodsBetween 1999 and 2003, the CF of 885 euthyroid and 149 hypothyroid-treated older adults (primary hypothyroidism after surgery or autoimmune thyroid disease) was assessed using three standardized CF tests: the modified mini-mental state examination, Trails B, and verbal fluency. Depressed mood was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Only participants with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the normal range were included.ResultsThe treated hypothyroid group had been treated with l-thyroxine for an average of 20 years. Those with treated hypothyroidism were older than the euthyroid group (76.1±9.6 vs 73.6±10.2 years, P=0.005) and were much more often women (81.6 vs 54.8%, P<0.001). TSH levels were similar between groups (median interquartile range=1.57 (1.19) vs 1.54 (1.59) mIU/l, P=0.81). Compared to euthyroid, the treated hypothyroidism group had more frequent antidepressant medication use (19.5 vs 8.5%, P<0.001) but similar BDI scores. Performance on the three CF tests did not differ by thyroid hormone treatment. Results were not changed after adjustment for age, sex, antidepressant medication use, exercise, and total cholesterol.ConclusionLong-term treated hypothyroidism is not associated with impaired CF or depressed mood in old age. The lack of association with CF is reassuring with regard to long-term use of thyroid hormone therapy.

Effects of Long-Term Resistance Training and Detraining on Strength and Physical Activity in Older Women

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M. Porter ◽  
Miriam E. Nelson ◽  
Maria A. Fiatarone Singh ◽  
Jennifer E. Layne ◽  
Christine M. Morganti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Behavior ◽  
Increased Strength

Resistance training (RT) increases strength in older adults, but there have been few studies of long-term RT or detraining in older adults. Postmenopausal participants (51–71 years of age) were randomized to RT or a control group for Year 1. For Year 2, participants chose whether to resistance train or not. Three groups emerged: train/train (n = 8: 60 ± 4 years), train/no train (n = 11: 62 ± 3 years), or controls (n = 17; 58 ± 6 years). Both training groups increased strength (p < .05) in Year 1. In Year 2, train/train maintained strength, whereas train/no train lost strength for knee extension (p < .001) but not for arm pulldown. Controls did not change. Reported physical activity levels were significantly increased in trainers in Year 1 and remained high regardless of RT in Year 2 (p < .05). Therefore, sustained changes in strength and physical activity behavior might be possible even if RT is discontinued.

scholarly journals AgingPLUS: Theoretical Background and Study Design of the Randomized Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 434-435
Author(s):  
George Rebok ◽  
David Roth ◽  
Kaigang Li ◽  
Abigail Nehrkorn-Bailey ◽  
Diana Rodriguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Efficacy Beliefs ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Experimental Medicine ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Goal Planning

Abstract The AgingPLUS program targets three psychological mechanisms that are known barriers to middle-aged and older adults’ engagement in physical activity (PA): Negative views of Aging (NVOA), low self-efficacy beliefs, and poor goal planning skills. These risk factors are addressed in a 4-week intervention program that is compared to a generic health education program as the control group. Middle-aged and older adults (age 45-75 years) are enrolled in the trial for 8 months, with four assessment points: Baseline (pre-test), Week 4 (immediate post-test), Week 8 (delayed post-test), and Month 6 (long-term follow-up). The major outcome variables are participants’ engagement in PA as assessed via daily activity logs and actigraphs. Positive changes in NVOA, self-efficacy beliefs, and goal planning are the intervention targets and hypothesized mediating variables leading to increases in PA. This trial adopted the experimental medicine approach to assess the short- and long-term efficacy of the AgingPLUS program.

Long-Term Recreational Cannabis Use Is Associated With Lower Executive Function and Processing Speed in a Pilot Sample of Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 089198872110491
Author(s):  
Katie Stypulkowski ◽  
Rachel E. Thayer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Bimodal Distribution ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Small Pilot Study

More older adults are using cannabis for recreational and/or medical purposes, but most studies examining cognitive function and cannabis use do not include older adults. The current small pilot study sought to compare cognitive function and emotional functioning among adults age 60 and older who were regular, primarily recreational cannabis users ( n = 28) and nonusers ( n = 10). A bimodal distribution was observed among cannabis users such that they had either initiated regular use more recently (“short-term” users; ≤7 years, n = 13) or earlier in life (“long-term” users; ≥19 years, n = 15). Nonusers, short-term, and long-term users were not different in depression, anxiety, or emotion regulation, or alcohol use. Nonusers scored significantly higher than long-term users in executive function. Short-term users scored significantly higher than long-term users in executive function, processing speed, and general cognition. Additionally, greater recent cannabis use frequency was negatively associated with working memory. The current findings suggest that short-term recreational cannabis use does not result in differences in cognitive performance compared to nonusers, which may indicate that short-term use is relatively benign in older adults. However, longer duration of use is associated with poorer processing speed and executive functioning, and more recent cannabis use is associated with poorer working memory, which may impact older adults’ overall cognitive functioning.

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