Feldenkrais Movement Lessons Improve Older Adults' Awareness, Comfort, and Function.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Palmer CF
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5560512 | biostudies-other | 2017 Jan-Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
Similar Datasets
Project description:Objectives: Ageing is associated with declines in voluntary eye movement control, which negatively impact the performance of daily activities. Therapies treating saccadic eye movement control deficits are currently lacking. To address the need for an effective therapy to treat age-related deficits in saccadic eye movement control, the current study investigated whether saccadic behaviour in older adults can be improved by anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex using a montage that has been proven to be effective at improving nonoculomotor control functions. Method: The tDCS protocol entailed a 5 cm × 7 cm anodal electrode and an encephalic cathodal reference electrode positioned over the contralateral supraorbital area. In two experiments, healthy older men completed one active (1.5 mA current for 10 min) and one sham stimulation session, with the session order counterbalanced across participants, and eye movement testing following stimulation. In the first experiment, participants rested during the tDCS (offline), whereas in the follow-up experiment, participants engaged in antisaccades during the tDCS (online). Results: Analyses revealed improvements in saccadic performance following active anodal tDCS relative to sham stimulation in the online experiment, but not in the offline experiment, which was presumably due to the activation of the relevant networks during tDCS promoting more targeted effects. Discussion: These outcomes converge with findings pertaining to nonoculomotor cognitive functions, and provide evidence that tDCS can improve saccadic eye movement control in older adults.
| S-EPMC6835567 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Alzheimer's disease has profound effects on quality of life, affecting not only cognition, but mobility and opportunities for social engagement. Dance is a form of movement that may be uniquely suited to help maintain quality of life for older adults, including those with dementia, because it inherently incorporates movement, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation. Here, we describe the methods and results of the pilot study for the IMOVE trial (NCT03333837, www.clinicaltrials.gov), a clinical trial designed to use improvisational dance classes to test the effects of movement and social engagement in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage dementia. The pilot study was an 8-week investigation into the feasibility and potential effects of an improvisational dance intervention on people with MCI or early-stage dementia (PWD/MCI) and their caregivers (CG). The pilot aimed to assess changes in quality of life, balance, mood, and functional brain networks in PWD/MCI and their CG. Participants were recruited as dyads (pairs) that included one PWD/MCI and one CG. Ten total dyads were enrolled in the pilot study with five dyads assigned to the usual care control group and five dyads participating in the dance intervention. The intervention arm met twice weekly for 60 min for 8 weeks. Attendance and quality of life assessed with the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's disease (QoL-AD) questionnaire were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included balance, mood and brain network connectivity assessed through graph theory analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Class attendance was 96% and qualitative feedback reflected participants felt socially connected to the group. Increases in quality of life and balance were observed, but not mood. Brain imaging analysis showed increases in multiple brain network characteristics, including global efficiency and modularity. Further investigation into the positive effects of this dance intervention on both imaging and non-imaging metrics will be carried out on the full clinical trial data. Results from the trial are expected in the summer of 2022.
| S-EPMC8795741 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Loss of muscle mass and strength are seemingly accepted as part of the ageing process, despite ultimately leading to the loss of independence. Resistance exercise is considered to be primary defence against loss of muscle function in older age, but it typically requires access to exercise equipment often in a gym environment. This pilot study aimed at examining the effect of a 28-day, unsupervised home-based exercise intervention on indices of leg strength and muscle size in healthy older adults. Twenty participants were randomly assigned to either maintain their habitual physical activity levels (Control; n=10; age, 74 (5) years; body mass, 26.3 (3.5)?kg/m2) or undertake "exercise snacks" twice daily (ES; n=10; age, 70 (4) years; body mass, 25.0 (3.4)?kg/m2). Both groups consumed 150?g of yogurt at their breakfast meal for the duration of the intervention. Sixty-second sit-to-stand score improved by 31% in ES, with no change in Control (p < 0.01). Large effect sizes were observed for the difference in change scores between the groups for interpolated maximum leg pressing power (6% increase in ES) and thigh muscle cross-sectional area (2% increase in ES). The present pilot data suggest that exercise snacking might be a promising strategy to improve leg muscle function and size in older adults and that further investigation into zero-cost exercise strategies that allow high frequency of training is warranted.
| S-EPMC6794984 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesTo determine older adults' awareness of the concept of medication-induced harm and their familiarity with the term "deprescribing." Secondary objectives were to ascertain determinants of self-initiated deprescribing conversations and to identify how older adults seek information on medication harms.DesignCross-sectional population-based household telephone survey using random-digit dialling.SettingCanada.ParticipantsCommunity-dwelling adults aged 65 and older (N = 2,665; n = 898 men, n = 1,767 women, mean age 74.9 ± 7.2, range 65-100).MeasurementsInformation was gathered on age; sex; awareness of the term "deprescribing"; knowledge and information-seeking behaviors related to medication harms; and previous initiation of a deprescribing conversation with a healthcare professional. Three targeted classes of potentially inappropriate prescriptions were asked about: sedative-hypnotics, glyburide, and proton pump inhibitors. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to quantify associations.ResultsTwo-thirds (65.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 63.4-67.0%) of participants were familiar with the concept of medication-induced harms. Only 6.9% (95% CI = 5.9-7.8%) recognized the term deprescribing; 48% (95% CI = 46-50%) had researched medication-related harms. Older adults most commonly sought information from the Internet (35.5%, 95% CI = 33.4-37.6%), and from health care professionals (32.2%, 95% CI = 30.1-34.3%). Patient-initiated deprescribing conversations were associated with awareness of medication harms (odds ratio (OR) = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.46-2.07), familiarity with the term deprescribing (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.13-2.12), and information-seeking behaviors (OR = 4.57, 95% CI = 3.84-5.45), independent of age and sex.ConclusionHealthcare providers can facilitate patient-initiated deprescribing conversations by providing information on medication harms and using the term "deprescribing."
| S-EPMC5763385 | biostudies-literature
Project description:INTRODUCTION:The ability to maintain functional independence in a rapidly aging population results in an increased life expectancy without corresponding increases in health care costs. The accelerated decline in V?O2peak after the age of 65 yr is primarily due to peripheral tissue changes rather than centrally mediated factors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Peripheral Remodeling through Intermittent Muscular Exercise (PRIME) approach, consisting of a low-mass, high-repetition/duration skeletal muscle focused training regimen would provide superior functional benefits in participants older than 70 yr old and at risk for losing functional independence. METHODS:In this clinical trial, 107 participants were randomized to 4 wk of either standard aerobic training (AT) or PRIME (phase 1). This was followed by 8 wk of a progressive whole-body aerobic and resistance training (AT + RT) for all participants (phase 2). The major outcome measures were cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen consumption [V?O2peak]), muscular fitness (1 repetition maximal strength [1RM]), and physical function (Senior Fitness Test [SFT] scores). Results were analyzed under a per-protocol criterion. RESULTS:Thirty-eight PRIME and 38 AT participants completed the 3-month protocols. V?O2peak, 1RM, and SFT scores all increased significantly after 12 wk for both treatment groups (P < 0.05). However, relative to AT, participants randomized to PRIME demonstrated a greater increase in V?O2peak (2.37 + 1.83 vs 1.50 + 1.82 mL·kg·min, P < 0.05), 1RM (48.52 + 27.03 vs 28.01 + 26.15 kg, P < 0.01) and SFT (22.50 + 9.98 vs 18.66 + 9.60 percentile, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Participants experienced greater increases in cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness and physical function when PRIME training was initiated before a combined AT + RT program. This novel exercise approach may be advantageous to individuals with other chronic disease conditions characterized by low functional capacity.
| S-EPMC5899050 | biostudies-literature
Project description:OBJECTIVE:To determine the effects of a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) intervention with the anode placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and cathode over the right supraorbital region, on cognition, mobility, and "dual-task" standing and walking in older adults with mild-to-moderate motor and cognitive impairments. METHODS:A double-blinded, block-randomized, sham-controlled trial was conducted in 18 nondemented, ambulatory adults aged ?65 years with slow walking speed (?1.0 m/s) and "executive" dysfunction (Trail Making Test B score ?25th percentile of age- and education-matched norms). Interventions included ten 20-minute sessions of tDCS or sham stimulation. Cognition, mobility, and dual-task standing and walking were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 2 weeks thereafter. Dual tasking was also assessed immediately before and after the first tDCS session. RESULTS:Intervention compliance was high (mean ± SD = 9.5 ± 1.1 sessions) and no unexpected or serious side effects were reported. tDCS, compared with sham, induced improvements in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment total score ( P = .03) and specifically within the executive function subscore of this test ( P = .002), and in several metrics of dual-task standing and walking ( P < .05). Each of these effects persisted for 2 weeks. tDCS had no effect on the Timed Up-and-Go test of mobility or the Geriatric Depression Scale. Those participants who exhibited larger improvements in dual-task standing posture following the first tDCS session exhibited larger cognitive-motor improvements following 2 weeks of tDCS ( P < .04). INTERPRETATION:tDCS intervention designed to stimulate the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may improve executive function and dual tasking in older adults with functional limitations.
| S-EPMC6143414 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundStroke 1-2-0 and FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) are two popular stroke educational tools that have been used in many stroke promotion campaigns. However, few researchers have investigated awareness of these tools among older adults in communities.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional survey of community-living older adults. Two family physicians conducted face-to-face interviews with older adults living in Minhang district, Shanghai, between October 1, 2020 and November 31, 2020. The survey comprised three parts: basic information, prior medical history, and stroke awareness knowledge. We focused on the awareness of FAST and Stroke 1-2-0 and investigated factors associated with awareness of these stroke educational tools.ResultsThe sample of this study was 466 older adults. Their mean age was 73.45 years. Male respondents accounted for 46.14% of the total sample. More than half of the older adults surveyed had an educational background of less than 6 years. Over 90% of the older adults surveyed had never heard about Stroke 1-2-0 or FAST. The awareness rate of Stroke 1-2-0 and FAST was 7.94%, with awareness of Stroke 1-2-0 being higher than that of FAST (6.01% vs. 0.43%, p < .05). None of the respondents who had heard about the two stroke educational tools could explain the utility of either tool fully. Having a background in higher education was associated with awareness of stroke educational tools independently, with an odds ratio (OR) of 10.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) of 3.7-27.4, p < .001. In addition, Wechat (OR 6.57, 95%CI 2.65-16.27, p < .001) and the community bulletin board (OR 2.95, 95%CI 1.37-6.33, p = .005) were found to be important sources for acquiring knowledge of stroke awareness tools.ConclusionThe limited awareness of Stroke 1-2-0 and FAST displayed among older adults in the community indicates that we must take action to improve education on stroke among the elderly.
| S-EPMC8553324 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundFalls are one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in older adults. However, despite adoption of prevention strategies, the number of falls in older adults has not declined. The aim of this study was to examine fall awareness behaviour and its associated factors among Malaysian community dwelling older adults.MethodsA total of 144 community dwelling older adults (mean age of 70.69 ± 4.3 years) participated in this study. Physical performance were assessed using timed up and go (TUG), gait speed (GS), chair stand and hand grip tests. Fall Awareness Behaviour (FaB) and Fall Risk Assessment Questionnaires (FRAQ) were administered to assess behaviour and fall prevention knowledge respectively.ResultsStepwise linear regression analysis showed that the practice of fall awareness behaviour (R2 = 0.256) was significantly associated with being male [95% C.I: 2.178 to 7.789, p < 0.001], having lower BMI [95% C.I: - 0.692 to - 0.135, p < 0.05], living with family [95% C.I: 0.022 to 5.953, p < 0.05] and those having higher functional mobility [95% C.I: - 2.008 to - 0.164, p < 0.05].ConclusionsFall awareness behaviour should be emphasized among older females, those with lower functional mobility, higher BMI and living alone.
| S-EPMC8022521 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PURPOSE:Declines in physical functioning (PF) among elderly cancer patients threaten quality of life and the ability to maintain independence. Adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors may prevent functional decline. PATIENTS AND METHODS:Project Leading the Way in Exercise and Diet (LEAD), an intervention development study of the Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, aimed to determine whether breast and prostate cancer survivors (age 65+ years) assigned to a 6-month home-based diet and exercise intervention experienced improvements in PF when compared with an attention control arm receiving general health information. An accrual target was set at 420, and PF (Short Form-36 subscale), physical activity (Community Healthy Activities Models Program for Seniors), and diet quality (index from 3-day recalls) were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months (6 months after intervention). RESULTS:This developmental project did not achieve its accrual target (N = 182); however, PF change scores were in the direction and of the magnitude projected. Baseline to 6-month change scores in the intervention versus the control arms were as follows: PF, +3.1 v -0.5 (P = .23); physical activity energy expenditure, +111 kcal/wk v -400 kcal/wk (P = .13); and diet quality index, +2.2 v -2.9 (P = .003), respectively. Differences between arms diminished during the postintervention period. CONCLUSION:These findings suggest that home-based diet and exercise interventions hold promise in improving lifestyle behaviors among older cancer survivors, changes that trend toward improved PF. Future studies should incorporate larger sample sizes and interventions that sustain long-term effects and also take into account secular trends; these efforts will require adequate planning and resources to overcome the numerous barriers to intervening in this difficult to reach yet vulnerable population.
| S-EPMC1532928 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMany individuals with Parkinson's disease are not diagnosed and treated. Attitudes about aging and related help-seeking may affect the timely diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Our objectives were to develop measures of older adults' expectations regarding movement with aging, specifically related to parkinsonism, and their beliefs about seeking healthcare for the diagnosis and treatment of parkinsonism.MethodsWe established content and face validity from interviews with experts, review of the literature, and pre-testing with key informants. Two 9-item instruments resulted: Expectations Regarding Movement (ERM) and Healthcare Seeking Beliefs for parkinsonism (HSB). These instruments were administered to 210 older adults at senior centers to investigate internal consistency and construct validity.Results192 (91%) of the older adults completed more than 90% of the survey. The mean age was 76; 17 (9%) reported parkinsonism. Both scales demonstrated good internal consistency (? = 0.90). Factor analysis supported construct validity of the ERM and HSB scores. Older age, lower education, worse self-reported health and African American race each were associated with lower ERM scores, but not HSB scores.ConclusionThe ERM, a brief measure of expectations regarding movement with aging, shows reliability and validity. This scale may be useful in identifying older adults at increased risk for under-identification of Parkinson's disease. Further work is needed to measure healthcare seeking for parkinsonism.
| S-EPMC3427187 | biostudies-literature