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Occupational Physical Stress Is Negatively Associated With Hippocampal Volume and Memory in Older Adults.

ABSTRACT: Our jobs can provide intellectually and socially enriched environments but also be the source of major psychological and physical stressors. As the average full-time worker spends >8 h at work per weekday and remains in the workforce for about 40 years, occupational experiences must be important factors in cognitive and brain aging. Therefore, we studied whether occupational complexity and stress are associated with hippocampal volume and cognitive ability in 99 cognitively normal older adults. We estimated occupational complexity, physical stress, and psychological stress using the Work Design Questionnaire (Morgeson and Humphrey, 2006), Quantitative Workload Inventory and Interpersonal Conflict at Work Scale (Spector and Jex, 1998). We found that physical stress, comprising physical demands and work conditions, was associated with smaller hippocampal volume and poorer memory performance. These associations were independent of age, gender, brain size, socioeconomic factors (education, income, and job title), duration of the job, employment status, leisure physical activity and general stress. This suggests that physical demands at work and leisure physical activity may have largely independent and opposite effects on brain and cognitive health. Our findings highlight the importance of considering midlife occupational experiences, such as work physical stress, in understanding individual trajectories of cognitive and brain aging.

SUBMITTER: Burzynska AZ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7381137 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Occupational Physical Stress Is Negatively Associated With Hippocampal Volume and Memory in Older Adults.

Burzynska Agnieszka Z AZ Ganster Daniel C DC Fanning Jason J Salerno Elizabeth A EA Gothe Neha P NP Voss Michelle W MW McAuley Edward E Kramer Arthur F AF

Frontiers in human neuroscience 20200715

Our jobs can provide intellectually and socially enriched environments but also be the source of major psychological and physical stressors. As the average full-time worker spends >8 h at work per weekday and remains in the workforce for about 40 years, occupational experiences must be important factors in cognitive and brain aging. Therefore, we studied whether occupational complexity and stress are associated with hippocampal volume and cognitive ability in 99 cognitively normal older adults. ...[more]

PMID: 32765239

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Project description:ObjectivesThe impact of occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) on functional outcomes in older adults with cancer is unknown.DesignTwo-arm single-institution randomized controlled trial of outpatient OT/PT.SettingComprehensive cancer center with two off-site OT/PT clinics.ParticipantsWe recruited adults 65 years and older with a recent diagnosis or recurrence of cancer within 5 years, with at least one functional limitation as identified by a geriatric assessment. Participants were randomized to OT/PT or usual care.InterventionRehabilitation consisted of individualized OT and PT that addressed functional activities and strength/endurance needs.MeasurementsPrimary outcome was functional status as measured by the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living scale. Secondary outcomes were Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Global Mental Health (GMH) and Global Physical Health (GPH), ability to participate in Social Roles (SR), physical function, and activity expectations and self-efficacy (Possibilities for Activity Scale [PActS]).ResultsAmong those recruited (N = 63), only 45 patients (71%) were evaluable due to loss of follow-up and/or nonreceipt of intervention. The median age was 74 years; 53% were female, and 91% were white. Overall, 30% patients had hematologic malignancies, 30% breast cancer, and 16% colorectal cancers. A total of 65% were in active treatment; 49% had stage 3 or 4 disease. At follow-up, both OT/PT (P = .02) and usual care (P = .03) groups experienced a decline in functional status. PActS scores between groups (P = .04) was significantly improved in the intervention group. GMH and SR met criteria for minimally important clinical difference favoring the intervention, but not statistical significance. Several barriers were noted in the implementation of the intervention program: recruitment, concerns about cost, distance, scheduling, and limited treatment provided.ConclusionOT/PT may positively influence activity expectations and self-efficacy. Future research needs to address significant barriers to implementation to increase use of OT/PT services and access to quality care. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:953-960, 2019.

Dataset Information

Occupational Physical Stress Is Negatively Associated With Hippocampal Volume and Memory in Older Adults.

Publications

Occupational Physical Stress Is Negatively Associated With Hippocampal Volume and Memory in Older Adults.

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