scholarly journals The Effects of Facial Exercise on Mental Health, Facial Expression and EEG in Community-Dwelling Older People

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Rumiko OKAMOTO ◽  
◽  
Mieko TANAKA ◽  
Katsuyoshi MIZUKAMI ◽  
◽  
...  

Although it is well documented that exercising is good for the mental health and cognitive function as well as the physical condition in elderly people, exercising is difficult in elderly individuals with a low motor function. To develop an exercise program targeting elderly individuals unsuited for whole-body exercises, we assessed the effects of facial exercises on the mental health and mood in healthy elderly people. Community-dwelling older adults (N = 75, age range = 65-87 yrs) were randomly divided into a facial exercises group and a wait-listed control group. A facial exercises program of 30 min was given twice a week for 12 weeks. This program consisted of rhythmic facial movement, muscle stretching, facial yoga, and Tanden breathing. The GHQ-12 for mental health were administered to both groups before and after the 12-week study period. In addition, facial expression and EEG were measured. Fifty-three participants completed the protocol. In the intervention group, the GHQ-12, facial expression, and α wave in frontal lobe improved post-intervention. These results suggest that facial exercises are effective in improving the mental health, facial expression, α wave in frontal lobe of elderly people, and that exercises may be useful as a therapeutic modality in this population.

Author(s):  
Rumiko OKAMOTO ◽  
◽  
Mieko TANAKA ◽  

Although it is well documented that exercising is good for the mental health and cognitive function as well as the physical condition in elderly people, exercising is difficult in elderly individuals with a low motor function. To develop an exercise program targeting elderly individuals unsuited for whole-body exercises, we assessed the effects of facial exercises on the mental health and mood in healthy elderly people. Community-dwelling older adults (N = 75, age range = 65-87 yrs) were randomly divided into a facial exercises group and a wait-listed control group. A facial exercises program of 30 min was given twice a week for 12 weeks. This program consisted of rhythmic facial movement, muscle stretching, facial yoga, and Tanden breathing. The GHQ-12 for mental health were administered to both groups before and after the 12-week study period. In addition, facial expression and EEG were measured. Fifty-three participants completed the protocol. In the intervention group, the GHQ-12, facial expression, and α wave in frontal lobe improved post-intervention. These results suggest that facial exercises are effective in improving the mental health, facial expression, α wave in frontal lobe of elderly people, and that exercises may be useful as a therapeutic modality in this population.


2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgos Sofianidis ◽  
Vassilia Hatzitaki ◽  
Stella Douka ◽  
Giorgos Grouios

This preliminary study examined the effect of a 10-wk traditional Greek dance program on static and dynamic balance indices in healthy elderly adults. Twenty-six community-dwelling older adults were randomly assigned to either an intervention group who took supervised Greek traditional dance classes for 10 wk (1 hr, 2 sessions/week,n= 14), or a control group (n= 12). Balance was assessed pre- and postintervention by recording the center-of-pressure (COP) variations and trunk kinematics during performance of the Sharpened-Romberg test, 1-leg (OL) stance, and dynamic weight shifting (WS). After practice, the dance group significantly decreased COP displacement and trunk sway in OL stance. A significant increase in the range of trunk rotation was noted during performance of dynamic WS in the sagittal and frontal planes. These findings support the use of traditional dance as an effective means of physical activity for improving static and dynamic balance control in the elderly.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Hideaki Hanaoka ◽  
Toshiaki Muraki ◽  
Fumiko Kaneko ◽  
Shingo Yamane ◽  
Hitoshi Okamura

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of simplified reminiscence practice using olfactory stimuli on depression and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults in Japan. Accordingly, 61 individuals were randomly divided into two groups. In the intervention group, 12 sessions of reminiscence were performed using olfactory cards. In the control group, reminiscence sessions were similarly performed, but with language cards. The Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) was used to measure mental health status and the Five Cognitive Test was used to measure cognitive function at baseline and after completion of the intervention. The final sample included 27 participants in the intervention group and 23 participants in the control group. Basic characteristics of the participants at baseline were compared and a significant difference was observed between the two groups in age (p = 0.029). Repeated-measures analysis of covariance with age as the covariate revealed a significant interaction between time and group on the GDS-15 (p = 0.04). Furthermore, a before and after comparison using a paired t-test showed a significant difference only in the intervention group (p = 0.01). The results of this study suggest that simplified reminiscence practice using olfactory cards could serve as an intervention to help maintain the mental health of community-dwelling older adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wachiraporn Wilaiwan ◽  
Wattasit Siriwong

PurposeThe study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Healthy e-Elderly People Intervention (HEPI) mobile application in reducing the physical health effects caused by smartphone usage.Design/methodology/approachThis randomized controlled trial involved elderly volunteers residing in different regions of Thailand and using smartphones. The samples included 33 participants in each control and intervention group. The intervention group received the HEPI application with reminder messages, while the control group received the HEPI application without reminder messages. Assessments were conducted at baseline, follow-up 1 (four weeks after the last reminder messages) and follow-up 2 (12 weeks after the last reminder messages). Data analyses (i.e descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests and repeated-measures analysis of variance) were used to obtain the overall mean change difference between the intervention and control groups at different time points (per-protocol analysis). The priorities of physical health risk were assessed using Health Risk Matrix.FindingsThe HEPI mobile application significantly improved knowledge, attitudes and practice scores in both the HEPI with and without reminder messages. The mean physical health risk score in both control and intervention groups was radically decreased from baseline to follow-up 1; lower physical health scores suggested lower health risk.Originality/valueIncreased duration of smartphone usage by elderly individuals in Thailand may result in a risk of developing several serious health conditions. The HEPI application with reminder messages could be used as a tool to benefit smartphone users and would further benefit from a booster after four weeks of intervention.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 751-761
Author(s):  
Minyoung Shin ◽  
Ahee Lee ◽  
A Young Cho ◽  
Minam Son ◽  
Yun-Hee Kim

Objective This study investigated the effects of process-based cognitive training that targets working memory and cognitive control on memory improvement in healthy elderly individuals and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Methods Forty healthy subjects and 40 patients with MCI were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group received 12 sessions of designated cognitive training. The control group did not receive cognitive training. A memory test was administered pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 4 weeks after the intervention. Additional comprehensive neuropsychological tests were also administered including a depression scale questionnaire.Results Performance in attention and working memory, which are directly related to the training domains, and global cognitive function were improved in the intervention group after training. In memory tests, interference by irrelevant stimuli was reduced and recognition memory was improved after the intervention. Furthermore, cognitive training ameliorated depressive symptoms. These training effects were not dependent on MCI status.Conclusion Process-based cognitive training that targets working memory and cognitive control effectively improves memory processes including retrograde interference and recognition, as well as depressive symptoms associated with aging in healthy elderly individuals and patients with MCI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 933-934
Author(s):  
Stav Shapira ◽  
Ella Cohn-Schwartz ◽  
Daphna Yeshua-Katz ◽  
Limor Aharonson-Daniel ◽  
A Mark Clarfield ◽  
...  

Abstract Social distancing has been proven to be effective in reducing infections but may cause ill effects on the mental health of older adults. We evaluated the effects of a short-term virtual group intervention that provided tools to promote better coping, and mitigate adverse mental health effects during the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic. A Randomized controlled trial tested the effects of a guided intervention comprised of seven online group sessions in which cognitive-behavioral techniques targeting maladaptive beliefs and appraisals were learned and practiced via ZOOM. A total of 82 community-dwelling adults from Israel, aged between 65 - 90 were randomized to either an intervention group (n=64) or a wait-list control group (n=18). Loneliness (UCLA loneliness scale) and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) were measured pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. The findings showed a significant decrease in loneliness and depression scores in the intervention group with results maintained at 1-month follow-up. There were no significant changes in the wait-list control group. In addition, ten participants (16%) from the intervention group demonstrated a clinically meaningful decrease in depression between baseline and post-intervention, and this was maintained among 7 participants (10%) at 1-month follow-up, compared to only 1 participant (5%) in the control group. Our intervention presents a simple and easy-to-implement tool. Its relevance extends beyond the current pandemic as the skills acquired can be applied in other forms of social crises and during routine life, in order to promote the mental health of older adults who live alone and/or reside in remote areas.


Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
Yutaka Owari

Background and objectives: This study was to clarify how the frequency of participation in a health class affected the reduction in sedentary behavior after two years, and whether decreases in sedentary behavior in elderly people who participated in a health class persisted two years after the end of an intervention. Materials and Methods: This study was longitudinal, and the results of a previous study conducted in 2017 were added to the findings of a different year. The participants were elderly health class members at a community dwelling in Japan who participated between 2016 and 2018. Of the 86 participants that were enrolled, the data of 80 were collected in 2016. A year later, in a 2017 follow-up, the number of participants was 80, and two years later, in a 2018 follow-up, there were 71 participants. Results: There was a significant difference with regards to the reduction of the sedentary behavior rate between two different groups (a health class participation rate of more than 75% and the other with less than 75%) two years later. However, no difference in sedentary behavior rate was found between the two groups (intervention group and control group) at a two-year follow-up, despite observing differences after one year. Conclusions: Continuous participation in a health class may help reduce sedentary behavior. After two years, “Active Guide” brochures and documents may not help in reducing sedentary behavior, despite seeing improvements after one year. Persistent social participation may have a more lasting effect than one-off interventions in reducing the sedentary behavior ratio.


Author(s):  
Phoebe Ullrich ◽  
Christian Werner ◽  
Martin Bongartz ◽  
Tobias Eckert ◽  
Bastian Abel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Community-dwelling older persons with cognitive impairment (CI) following discharge from geriatric rehabilitation are at high risk of losing life-space mobility (LSM). Interventions to improve their LSM are, however, still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a CI-specific, home-based physical training and activity promotion program on LSM. Methods Older persons with mild-to-moderate CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 17–26 points) discharged home from rehabilitation were included in this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a 12-week intervention period and 12-week follow-up period. The intervention group received a CI-specific, home-based strength, balance, and walking training supported by tailored motivational strategies. The control group received a placebo activity. LSM was evaluated by the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment, including a composite score for LSM and 3 subscores for maximal, equipment-assisted, and independent life space. Mixed-model repeated-measures analyses were used. Results One hundred eighteen participants (82.3 ± 6.0 years) with CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 23.3 ± 2.4) were randomized. After the intervention, the home-based training program resulted in a significant benefit in the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment composite scores (b = 8.15; 95% confidence interval: 2.89–13.41; p = .003) and independent life-space subscores (b = 0.39; 95% confidence interval: 0.00–0.78; p = .048) in the intervention group (n = 63) compared to control group (n = 55). Other subscores and follow-up results were not significantly different. Conclusions The home-based training program improved LSM and independent life space significantly in this vulnerable population. Effects were not sustained over the follow-up. The program may represent a model for improved transition from rehabilitation to the community to prevent high risk of LSM restriction.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e045879
Author(s):  
Bina Ram ◽  
Anna Chalkley ◽  
Esther van Sluijs ◽  
Rachel Phillips ◽  
Tishya Venkatraman ◽  
...  

IntroductionSchool-based active mile initiatives such as The Daily Mile (TDM) are widely promoted to address shortfalls in meeting physical activity recommendations. The iMprOVE Study aims to examine the impact of TDM on children’s physical and mental health and educational attainment throughout primary school.Methods and analysisiMprOVE is a longitudinal quasi-experimental cohort study. We will send a survey to all state-funded primary schools in Greater London to identify participation in TDM. The survey responses will be used for non-random allocation to either the intervention group (Daily Mile schools) or to the control group (non-Daily Mile schools). We aim to recruit 3533 year 1 children (aged 5–6 years) from 77 primary schools and follow them up annually until the end of their primary school years. Data collection taking place at baseline (children in school year 1) and each primary school year thereafter includes device-based measures of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and questionnaires to measure mental health (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and educational attainment (ratings from ‘below expected’ to ‘above expected levels’). The primary outcome is the mean change in MVPA minutes from baseline to year 6 during the school day among the intervention group compared with controls. We will use multilevel linear regression models adjusting for sociodemographic data and participation in TDM. The study is powered to detect a 10% (5.5 min) difference between the intervention and control group which would be considered clinically significant.Ethics and disseminationEthics has been approved from Imperial College Research Ethics Committee, reference 20IC6127. Key findings will be disseminated to the public through research networks, social, print and media broadcasts, community engagement opportunities and schools. We will work with policy-makers for direct application and impact of our findings.


2021 ◽  
pp. 014303432110250
Author(s):  
Celeste Simões ◽  
Anabela C. Santos ◽  
Paula Lebre ◽  
João R. Daniel ◽  
Cátia Branquinho ◽  
...  

Resilience is an individual’s ability to adapt successfully to and persevere during and after significant challenges. Resilience programmes based on a socioemotional learning approach have been associated with an increase in protextive factors (e.g., prosocial competencies), improvements in physical and mental health, and a decrease in internalised and externalised symptoms. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the RESCUR curriculum implemented in Portuguese schools on students’ academic, behavioural, and socioemotional outcomes, based on child and teacher reports. Participants included 1,084 children (53.2% male) aged 3-15 ( M = 7.24, SD = 2.31). A quasi-experimental study compared outcomes for an experimental intervention group (AIG) with a waiting list control group (WG). The results showed the RESCUR programme decreased mental health difficulties while increasing both prosocial behaviours and well-being. In addition, academic performance increased for those in preschool after implementation. Both teachers and children consistently reported positive behavioural changes in resilience-related competencies after implementing RESCUR. Our findings contribute to the recent research on the potential of RESCUR to address key socioemotional competencies and improve relevant protextive factors. Study limitations and future recommendations are addressed.


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