Older adults’ functional capacity and cognitive impairment in rural areas Tungurahua – Ecuador

Aim: Aging is associated with declines in functional capacity and cognitive function. The aim of the present study was to examine, for the first time, the effects of a high-dose omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplementation, in combination with antioxidant vitamins, on functional capacity and cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairment, over a 6-month period in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Material & Method: Thirty-six older adults with cognitive impairment (aged 79.3 ± 7.6 yrs, 22 females) were randomized to receive either a formula containing a mixture of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with antioxidant vitamins or placebo for six months. Participants completed assessments of functional capacity, cognitive function, and various aspects of quality of life at baseline and following three and six months of supplementation. Functional capacity was evaluated using two sit-to-stand tests (STS-5, STS-60), the timed-up-and-go test (TUG), the 6-min walk test (6MWT), and the handgrip strength test. Cognitive function was evaluated through the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), whilst health-related quality of life, sleep quality, daily sleepiness, and fatigue were assessed by specific questionnaires. A linear mixed model with a random effect for participant was used to evaluate differences in the dependent variables between the supplementation and placebo groups throughout time, whilst it was adjusted for age and education of the participants. Results: A significant interaction between supplementation and time was found on functional capacity (6MWT and STS-60; p = 0.028 and p = 0.032, respectively), cognitive function (ACER and MMSE; p < 0.001 and p = 0.011, respectively), fatigue (p < 0.001), physical health component (p = 0.007), and daily sleepiness (p = 0.007), showing a favorable improvement for the participants receiving the nutritional supplement. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that high-dose omega fatty acid and antioxidant vitamin supplementation improves functional capacity and cognitive function in older adults with cognitive impairment. Thus, this novel approach appears promising for reducing cognitive decline and frailty in the elderly.

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Sleep Disturbance in Older Adults With or Without Mild Cognitive Impairment and Its Associated Factors Residing in Rural Area, China

Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology ◽

10.1177/0891988720964249 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 089198872096424

Author(s):

Li Qin Xie ◽

Bing Xiang Yang ◽

Yang Hui Liao ◽

Gui Xian Gao ◽

Na Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Sleep Disturbance ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression ◽

Affect Balance ◽

Drinking Habits ◽

Factors Influencing

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of sleep disturbance in older adults with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and associated factors among residents in rural central China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in adults in rural areas of the Hunan province aged≥60 years. Study participants (N = 1213) included 479 individuals meeting the criteria for MCI and 734 with normal cognitive abilities. The participants completed the Athens Insomnia Scale, Stress Resilience Quotient Scale, Affect Balance Scale and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale. Chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank sum analyses and multiple logistic regression were used in this study. Results: A total of 60.33% of participants with MCI demonstrated sleep disturbance (60.33%, 95% CI: 0.559-0.649), which was significantly higher than in the non-MCI group (43.73%, 95% CI: 0.759-0.838). Multiple logistic regression conducted separately in the populations of older adults with or without MCI showed that age, drinking habits, affect balance and activities of daily life were correlates of self-reported sleep disturbance in rural older adults with MCI ( B = −5.469), whereas age, ADL, living arrangement and resilience were the main influencing factors in older adults without MCI ( B = 2.991). Conclusion: Sleep disturbance is more common in older adults with MCI than without MCI in rural areas of China. The factors influencing sleep disturbances vary between older adults with or without MCI, with age and ADL representing common factors influencing sleep disturbance in both groups. Interventions focusing on the age, drinking habits, affect balance and ADL may improve sleep quality in MCI older adults.

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Functional Capacity, Cognition And Spatial Navigation In Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000560820.62989.b8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 51 (Supplement) ◽

pp. 108

Author(s):

Jessica Plácido ◽

José Vinicius Ferreira ◽

Felipe Oliveira ◽

Paula Santana ◽

Renato Sobral Monteiro-Junior ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Spatial Navigation

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The Effects of a 6-Month High Dose Omega-3 and Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Antioxidant Vitamins Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Functional Capacity in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12020325 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 325 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pinelopi S. Stavrinou ◽

Eleni Andreou ◽

George Aphamis ◽

Marios Pantzaris ◽

Melina Ioannou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Antioxidant Vitamins ◽

High Dose ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Omega 6

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a high-dose omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids supplementation, in combination with antioxidant vitamins, on cognitive function and functional capacity of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), over a 6-month period in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Forty-six older adults with MCI (age: 78.8 ± 7.3 years) were randomized 1:1 to receive either a 20 mL dose of a formula containing a mixture of omega-3 (810 mg Eicosapentaenoic acid and 4140 mg Docosahexaenoic acid) and omega-6 fatty acids (1800 mg gamma-Linolenic acid and 3150 mg Linoleic acid) (1:1 w/w), with 0.6 mg vitamin A, vitamin E (22 mg) plus pure γ-tocopherol (760 mg), or 20 mL placebo containing olive oil. Participants completed assessments of cognitive function, functional capacity, body composition and various aspects of quality of life at baseline and following three and six months of supplementation. Thirty-six participants completed the study (eighteen from each group). A significant interaction between supplementation and time was found on cognitive function (Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination -Revised (ACE-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Stroop Color and Word Test (STROOP) color test; p < 0.001, p = 0.011 and p = 0.037, respectively), functional capacity (6-min walk test and sit-to-stand-60; p = 0.028 and p = 0.032, respectively), fatigue (p < 0.001), physical health (p = 0.007), and daily sleepiness (p = 0.007)—showing a favorable improvement for the participants receiving the supplement. The results indicate that this nutritional modality could be promising for reducing cognitive and functional decline in the elderly with MCI.

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Physical Work and Exercise Reduce the Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Population-based Longitudinal Study

Current Alzheimer Research ◽

10.2174/1567205018666211118100451 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Fan He ◽

Junfen Lin ◽

Fudong Li ◽

Yujia Zhai ◽

Tao Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Tai Chi ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Population Based ◽

Independent Effect ◽

Physical Work ◽

Protective Effects

Background: The independent effect of physical work on the risk of cognitive impairment in older Chinese adults living in rural areas remains to be elucidated. Objective: We aimed to determine whether physical work and physical exercise can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment. Methods: We collected data from 7,000 permanent residents without cognitive impairment (age ≥60 years) over a follow-up period of 2 years. We used the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Ex- amination (MMSE) to assess cognitive function. We performed multivariate Cox regression analyses to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (%95 CIs) as measures of the association between physical work/exercise and cognitive impairment while controlling for potential confounders. Results: Over a median follow-up period of 1.93 years, 1,224 (17.5%) of 7,000 participants developed cognitive impairment, with a total incidence of 97.69 per 1,000 person-years. After adjustment for potential confounders, participating in physical work (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.43-0.60) or physical exer- cise (HR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.44-0.65) was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment. Strati- fied analyses suggested additive and multiplicative interactions between physical work and exercise. Agricultural work (HR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.38-0.55), walking/tai chi (HR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.44-0.67), and brisk walking/yangko (HR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.33-0.97) exerted significant protective effects against cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Both physical work and exercise can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults. Reasonable types and appropriate intensities of physical activity are recommended to prevent or delay the progression of cognitive impairment.

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Resilience and affect balance of empty-nest older adults with mild cognitive impairment in poor rural areas of Hunan province, China

Geriatrics and Gerontology International ◽

10.1111/ggi.13601 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 222-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

LiQin Xie ◽

Jun Zhou ◽

YunLong Deng ◽

Christopher J Richmond ◽

Jiang Na

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Hunan Province ◽

Empty Nest ◽

Affect Balance

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The Relationship between Nutritional Status and Functional Capacity: A Contribution Study in Institutionalised Portuguese Older Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073789 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3789

Author(s):

Catarina Caçador ◽

Edite Teixeira-Lemos ◽

Jorge Oliveira ◽

João Pinheiro ◽

Filipa Mascarenhas-Melo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Mini Nutritional Assessment ◽

Well Being ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Nutritional Risk ◽

Demographic Aging ◽

The Relationship

Demographic aging of the population allied with the new family structures and societal dynamics is generating an increasing demand for institutions for older adults. Nutritional status is a key health determinant that impacts the quality of life among older adults. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and nutritional risk, functional capacity, and cognition in institutionalised Portuguese older adults by a cross-sectional study in 15 institutions. Nutritional status (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), nutritional risk (mini nutritional assessment (MNA)), degree of functional independence (Barthel index (BI)), and cognitive ability (mini mental state examination (MMSE)) were assessed. Of the 214 older adults evaluated, 28.0% were at risk of malnutrition, 69.6% were mildly functional dependent, and 39.3% presented minor cognitive impairment. The risk of malnutrition increased functional dependence and cognitive impairment. The MNA score, but not the BMI or WC, was related to disability and deficits in cognition. A differential interdependence was found between nutritional, cognitive, and functional status. Strategies to improve self-care and well-being in nursing homes should consider a correct diet and a closer evaluation of nutritional risk to preserve cognition, independence, and autonomy.

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Relationship between chewing tobacco, smoking, consuming alcohol and cognitive impairment among older adults in India: a cross‐sectional study

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02027-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

T. Muhammad ◽

Manideep Govindu ◽

Shobhit Srivastava

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Substance Use ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Smokeless Tobacco ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Chewing Tobacco ◽

Sample Distribution ◽

Explanatory Variables

Abstract Background Physical aging increases the sensitivity to the effects of substance use, elevating the risk for cognitive impairment among older adults. Since studies on the association of substance use with cognitive ability in later years are scant in India, we aimed to explore the factors associated with cognitive impairment especially, alcohol consumption, smoking, and chewing tobacco later in life. Methods The present research used nationally representative data from Building a Knowledge Base on Population Aging in India (BKPAI) that was conducted in 2011, across seven states of India (N=9,453). Sample distribution along with percentage distribution was calculated for cognitive impairment over explanatory variables. For finding the association between cognitive impairment over explanatory variables, binary logistic regression models were estimated. Results About 16.5 percent of older adults in rural areas consumed smoked tobacco compared to 11.7 percent in urban areas. Nearly, 23.7 percent of rural older adults consumed smokeless tobacco in comparison to 16 percent in urban areas. Alcohol consumption was high among rural residents (7.9%) than urban counterparts (6.7%). The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 62.8% and 58% among older adults from rural and urban areas respectively. Older adults who smoked tobacco had a 24 percent significantly higher likelihood to have cognitive impairment with reference to older adults who did not smoke [OR: 1.24, CI: 1.02-1.49]. Moreover, older adults who consumed alcohol had a 30 percent significantly higher likelihood to have cognitive impairment [OR: 1.02, 1.65]. It was also found that older adults who had smoked along with consuming alcohol were at risk of worse cognitive outcomes than those who neither smoke nor drink alcohol [OR: 1.56, CI: 1.21-2.00] or consumed either of them unlike consuming smokeless tobacco only. Conclusion The encouragement of older people to stop smoking and smokeless tobacco use could be considered as part of a strategy to reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment. Further, appropriate measures should be taken for the detection of early stages of cognitive decline in older individuals and efforts should be made to improve the availability and quality of care for dementing older adults.

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Rural-Urban Differences in Food Insecurity and Associated Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults: Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-437901/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shobhit Srivast ◽

T Muhammad

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Late Life ◽

Food Prices ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Rapid Urbanization

Abstract IntroductionDue to rapid urbanization, Covid-19 pandemic, and increasing food prices, a higher rate of food insecurity has been observed in recent years in India. Thus, we aim to study the prevalence of food insecurity among older Indian adults and the association of food insecurity as a modifiable risk factor with late-life cognitive impairment.MethodData for this study was utilized from the recent release of Longitudinal Ageing Study in India which was conducted 2017-18. The total sample size for the present study is 31,464 older adults aged 60 years and above. Descriptive statistics along with cross-tabulation were presented in the present study. Additionally, binary logistic regression analysis was used to fulfil the objective of the present study. ResultsIt was found that 7.7% of older adults in rural areas reduced their size of meals due to unavailability (urban, 3.2%), 41.2% of them did not eat enough food of their choice (urban, 38.3%), 6.9% were hungry but did not eat food (urban, 2.6%), 5.0% did not eat for whole day (urban, 2.2%), and 6.9% lost weight due to lack of food in their household (urban, 2.9%). It was found that older adults who did not have enough food of their choice had significantly higher odds of suffering from cognitive impairment in reference to their counterparts. Similarly, the older adults who were hungry but did not eat were 33% more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment in reference to their counterparts. Interaction model revealed that older adults who had food insecurity in rural areas had higher odds of cognitive impairment than older adults who had food insecurity in urban areas. ConclusionThe results of the study highlight that the food security status in older adults may bring about greater challenges due to their limited economic resources. Interventions focusing on food security may have unintended positive impacts on late-life mental wellbeing as the older age is associated with higher cognitive deficits.

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Physical Work and Exercise Reduce the Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Rural Older Adults: A Population-based Longitudinal Study

10.21203/rs.2.24173/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Fan He ◽

Junfen Lin ◽

Fudong Li ◽

Yujia Zhai ◽

Tao Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Tai Chi ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Population Based ◽

Physical Work ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Chinese Older Adults

Abstract Background: The effect of physical work on the risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults living in rural areas remains to be elucidated. We investigated whether physical work and exercise can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment. Methods: We collected data from 7,000 individuals without cognitive impairment (age ≥60 years) over a follow-up period of 2 years. The Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination was used to assess cognitive function, and the multivariable Cox regression model was used to identify associations between physical work/exercise and cognitive impairment. Results: Over a median follow-up period of 1.93 years, 1,224 (17.5%) of 7,000 participants developed cognitive impairment, with a total incidence of 97.69 per 1,000 person-years. Participation in physical work (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.78) or exercise (HR: 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.93) was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment. Agricultural work (HR: 0.60; 95% CI, 0.49-0.73) and walking/tai chi (HR: 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.93) exerted significant protective effects against cognitive impairment. Conclusions: Physical work and exercise can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults. Reasonable types and appropriate intensities of physical activity are recommended to prevent or delay the progression of cognitive impairment.

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