Physical and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

A special issue of Geriatrics (ISSN 2308-3417).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2023) | Viewed by 11112

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disability, New Delhi, India
Interests: geriatric rehabilitation; healthy aging; cognitive decline; cognitive therapy; functional independence

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Guest Editor
Amity Institute of Occupational Therapy, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, India
Interests: geriatric mental health; aging brain; assistive technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Being able to accomplish the activities of daily living independently is the primary goal of older adults. Functional activities and mobility are mainly compromised due to the physical and cognitive decline as a result of aging. To add on to aging, comorbid acute and chronic illnesses also influence functional independence and quality of life. It is of utmost importance to recognize the subtle changes in function and cognition to initiate treatment for underlying health problems. Most older adults have at least one of chronic disease, such as heart disease, stroke, dementia, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, etc., which can cause permanent loss of physical function.

Elderly rehabilitation is key for healthy aging, which aims not only at reducing illness but also improving mobility, independence, and confidence in elderly people. This enables older adults to be functionally independent and have an improved quality of life. Elderly rehabilitation covers all facets of aging, from wellness strategies to therapy. Focusing on function, this Special Issue aims to compile studies that will assist rehabilitation professionals in maintaining the functional independence and safety of older individuals.

Dr. Madhuchhanda Mohanty
Dr. Prakash Kumar
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • activities of daily living
  • aging
  • functional independence
  • stroke
  • dementia
  • cognitive decline
  • quality of life elderly rehabilitation

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 954 KiB  
Article
Efficiency of Printed Patient Information Leaflets Written for Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty Patients to Reduce Their Fear of Surgery
by Tünde Szilágyiné Lakatos, Balázs Lukács, Attila Csaba Nagy, Zoltán Jenei and Ilona Veres-Balajti
Geriatrics 2023, 8(5), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics8050089 - 5 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2021
Abstract
Background: Patient education plays a key role in health care. In our study, we created a new information guide for patients waiting for total knee (TKA) or hip (THA) arthroplasty. The goal of our study was to create patient education material that [...] Read more.
Background: Patient education plays a key role in health care. In our study, we created a new information guide for patients waiting for total knee (TKA) or hip (THA) arthroplasty. The goal of our study was to create patient education material that would reduce patients’ fear of surgery and improve their postoperative lifestyle. Methods: Patients in the intervention group (n = 44) received newly developed paper-based patient education material before surgery. The surgical fear questionnaire (SFQ) was used to assess fear reduction. A self-designed assessment questionnaire was used to measure the effectiveness of the leaflet among the intervention group patients. Results: The SFQ scores decreased significantly both in patients with TKA (median 37.50 IQR 30.00–40.00 vs. median 20.00 IQR 16.00–24.00) and THA (median 34.50 IQR 28.00–42.00 vs. median 20.00 IQR 16.00–22.00). A control group with TKA (median 37.50 IQR 30.00–40.00 vs. median 64.50 IQR 54.00–82.00) and THA (median 34.50 IQR 28.00–42.00 vs. median 73.00 IQR 56.00–81.00) was also included. An assessment of the content, usability, and clarity of the new leaflet showed that patients rated the new leaflet as almost entirely usable (median score 12.00–10.00). Conclusions: Our results suggest that new printed patient education material may reduce the fear of surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults)
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13 pages, 1062 KiB  
Article
Functional Training and Dual-Task Training Improve the Executive Function of Older Women
by Alan Pantoja-Cardoso, Jose Carlos Aragão-Santos, Poliana de Jesus Santos, Ana Carolina Dos-Santos, Salviano Resende Silva, Newton Benites Carvalho Lima, Alan Bruno Silva Vasconcelos, Leonardo de Sousa Fortes and Marzo Edir Da Silva-Grigoletto
Geriatrics 2023, 8(5), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics8050083 - 22 Aug 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2830
Abstract
Functional training (FT) is a type of multicomponent training with emphasis on activities of daily living that stimulate different physical capacities in only one session. Dual-task training (DTT) is a type of training that simultaneously applies cognitive and motor stimuli. We investigated the [...] Read more.
Functional training (FT) is a type of multicomponent training with emphasis on activities of daily living that stimulate different physical capacities in only one session. Dual-task training (DTT) is a type of training that simultaneously applies cognitive and motor stimuli. We investigated the effects of sixteen weeks of FT and DTT and eight weeks of detraining on older women’s inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Sixty-two older women (66.9 ± 5.4 years; 27.7 ± 3.9 kg/m2) completed a 16-week intervention program comprising the FT (n = 31) and DTT (n = 31), and 43 returned after the detraining period. We used the Stroop Color Word Color test to evaluate inhibitory control, the Corsi Block Test to assess working memory, and the Trail Making Test to evaluate cognitive flexibility. Only DTT reduced the congruent response time between the pre-test and post-test (d= −0.64; p < 0.001), with no difference between the post-test and the detraining values (d = 1.13; p < 0.001). Both groups reduced the incongruent response time between the pre-test and post-test (FT: d = −0.61; p = 0.002; DTT: d= −0.59; p = 0.002) without a difference between groups. There were no significant differences in working memory and cognitive flexibility. Sixteen weeks of FT and DTT increased the inhibitory control of older women but not the working memory and cognitive flexibility, and these effects persisted after eight weeks of detraining. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults)
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15 pages, 936 KiB  
Article
Associations between Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in Urban Greece
by Anna Psarrou, Theodoula Adamakidou, Paraskevi Apostolara, Alexandra Koreli, Marianna Drakopoulou, Sotirios Plakas, Dimos Mastrogiannis, Alexandra Mantoudi, Stelios Parissopoulos, Afroditi Zartaloudi and Marianna Mantzorou
Geriatrics 2023, 8(3), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics8030061 - 1 Jun 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3283
Abstract
Physical activity is an important factor in achieving healthy aging, offering older persons multiple benefits in terms of maintaining and improving their health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity on the quality of life [...] Read more.
Physical activity is an important factor in achieving healthy aging, offering older persons multiple benefits in terms of maintaining and improving their health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity on the quality of life of older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2022, using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). A total of 124 people aged 65 and over participated in the survey. The average age of the participants was 71.6 years, and 62.1% were women. Participants showed a moderate quality of life with regard to the physical health dimension (mean score 52.4) and a higher quality of life with regard to the mental health dimension (mean score 63.1) compared to the expected values of the population. Low levels of physical activity were recorded among older adults, reaching a rate of 83.9%. A moderate or high level of physical activity has been found to contribute to a better physical functioning (p = 0.03), vitality (p = 0.02) and general health (p = 0.01). Finally, comorbidity had a negative impact on physical activity (p = 0.03) and quality of life regarding mental and physical health in older adults. The study showed very low levels of physical activity in older Greek adults. The management of this problem, which was intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, should be a high priority in public health programs focusing on healthy aging, as physical activity affects and promotes many of the basic aspects of quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults)
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17 pages, 439 KiB  
Article
Colombian Stakeholder Perceptions and Recommendations Regarding Fall Detection Systems for Older Adults
by Edna Avella-Rodríguez, Lessby Gómez, Jose Ramirez-Scarpetta and Esteban Rosero
Geriatrics 2023, 8(3), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics8030051 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2192
Abstract
This study aimed to analyze perceptions and recommendations from stakeholders on the effectiveness of fall detection systems for older adults, aside from any additional technological solutions they may use within their activities of daily living (ADLs). This study performed a mixed-method approach to [...] Read more.
This study aimed to analyze perceptions and recommendations from stakeholders on the effectiveness of fall detection systems for older adults, aside from any additional technological solutions they may use within their activities of daily living (ADLs). This study performed a mixed-method approach to explore the views and recommendations of stakeholders concerning the implementation of wearable fall detection systems. Semi-structured online interviews and surveys were conducted on 25 Colombian adults classified into four stakeholder groups: older adults, informal caregivers, healthcare professionals, and researchers. A total of 25 individuals were interviewed or surveyed, comprising 12 females (48%) and 13 males (52%). The four groups cited the importance of wearable fall detection systems in ADLs monitoring of older adults. They did not consider them stigmatizing nor discriminatory but some raised potential privacy issues. The groups also communicated that the apparatus could be small, lightweight, and easy to handle with a help message sent to a relative or caregiver. All stakeholders interviewed perceived assistive technology as potentially useful for opportune healthcare, as well as for promoting independent living for the end user and their family members. For this reason, this study assessed the perceptions and recommendations received concerning fall detectors depending on the needs of stakeholders and the settings in which they are used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults)
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