Mobility training for increasing mobility and functioning in older people with frailty

Associations between oral frailty, oral microbiota composition, and postoperative delirium in older adult patients

BACKGROUND

Poor oral health, prevalent among the older adults, can undermine overall health and contribute to frailty. Older adults experiencing oral frailty and dysbiosis potentially face an elevated risk of postoperative delirium. This study aims to explore the influence of oral frailty and changes in oral microbiota composition on occurrence of postoperative delirium in older adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A total of 303 older adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgeries were recruited in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2023 to December 2023. Oral swabs for oral microbiota analyses were collected before surgery. Subsequently, after propensity score matching, 21 samples from patients with postoperative delirium and 21 samples from patients without postoperative delirium were analyzed for oral microbiota. Our primary objective was to determine the association between oral frailty, changes in oral microbiota composition, and the occurrence of postoperative delirium.

RESULTS

Oral frailty emerged as an independent risk factor for postoperative delirium [HR = 1.75; 95% CI = (1.04-2.96); p = 0.035]. Additionally, patients with postoperative delirium demonstrated lower oral microbiota diversity, as indicated by a reduced Chao index compared with those without postoperative delirium (p = 0.034). A significant association was also found between the dysbiosis index and postoperative delirium (p < 0.001). ROC analysis revealed a pronounced area under the curve of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.88-1.00) for the dysbiosis index in predicting postoperative delirium. Subsequent Principal Coordinates and Kaplan-Meier analyses affirmed that both beta diversity and the dysbiosis index were significantly correlated with incidence of postoperative delirium, with p-values of 0.002 and <0.001, respectively. Furthermore, the interaction analysis through Cox proportional hazards regression suggested a combined effect of oral frailty and the dysbiosis index on the likelihood of developing postoperative delirium (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral frailty and changes in oral microbiota among older adult patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery may influence the incidence of postoperative delirium.

Evidence-based exercise recommendations to improve functional mobility in older adults - A study protocol for living systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and objectives

This is a protocol for a living systematic review and meta-analysis.This review will assess the effects of state-of-the-art exercise interventions designed to promote functional mobility. Therefore, after identifying all potential interventions, we will use the F.I.T.T. principles (frequency, intensity, time, type) as well as the physical and health status of the participants as moderators to analyse the mechanisms for the positive benefits of exercise interventions.The main research questions are:Which exercise types are most beneficial for improving functional mobility in various populations of older adults?Which physical exercise characteristics in terms of frequency, intensity, time and duration will achieve the greatest benefit in terms of the defined outcomes, i.e, the functional mobility of older adults?

Methods

The systematic literature research according to PRISMA guidelines will search databases like MEDLINE, APA Psych-Info and Web of Science.Inclusion criteria are: healthy older people ≥ 50 years, randomized-controlled trials including exercise intervention and a walking or mobility assessments (eg., TUG, SPPB) as an outcome measure. A preliminary search revealed more than 33,000 hits that will be screened by pairs of independent reviewers. The results will be summarized according to the effects regarding functional mobility and potential dose-response relations via respective meta-analysis.

Conclusion

The systematic review will comprise the knowledge of the existing literature with regards to the effects of the physical activity interventions compared to an active or inactive control group.We will summarize the effects with respect to the F.I.T.T.. They provide a foundation for structuring an optimal exercise training program. If possible, we will also compare interventions from the different categories (eg. cardiovascular, resistance, motor-coordinative, multicomponent or mind-body exercise) as a network analysis and report the influence of moderator variables. Based on the results evidence-based guidelines following GRADE for physical exercise interventions to improve functional mobility in older adults will be provided.

Multicomponent telerehabilitation program for veterans with multimorbidity: A randomized controlled feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Older veterans with multimorbidity experience physical and social vulnerabilities that complicate receipt of and adherence to physical rehabilitation services. Thus, traditional physical rehabilitation programs are insufficient to address this population's heterogenous clinical presentation.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a MultiComponent TeleRehabilitation (MCTR) program for older veterans with multimorbidity.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled cross-over feasibility study.

SETTING

Telehealth from Veterans Affairs Medical Center to participants' homes.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty U.S. military veterans, age ≥60 years (mean ± SD; 69.2 ± 6.7) with ≥3 comorbidities (6.0 ± 1.9), and impaired physical function were randomized and allocated equally to two groups.

INTERVENTION

The MCTR program consisted of high-intensity rehabilitation, coaching, social support, and technologies. Physical therapists delivered 12 individual and 20 group telerehabilitation sessions/participant. Participants in the education group started the MCTR program after 12 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was combined adherence (>75% of participants attending ≥80% sessions). Acceptability was measured by the Acceptability of Intervention Measure. Secondary outcomes included safety, participant surveys, and physical function. Patient-level outcomes were collected at baseline, 12 (primary time point), and 24 weeks.

RESULTS

Of 50 participants, 39 adhered to total session attendance (0.78 [95% confidence interval: 0.64-0.88], p = .76), 45 adhered to individual sessions (0.90 [95% confidence interval: 0.78-0.97], p = .01), and 48 rated the program as acceptable (0.96 [95% confidence interval: 0.85-0.99], p < .001). Thirty-five participants reported 78 safety events, and 12 (15%) had some degree of relatedness to the protocol. Most patient-level outcomes were similar between groups at 12-weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

The MCTR program was feasible based on high adherence to individual sessions and high acceptability. Adherence results were consistent with previous exercise studies in older adults. Most in-session safety events were related to underlying medical conditions and consistent with in-person physical rehabilitation safety events. These results can inform use of telerehabilitation for similar populations.

Effect of prehabilitation exercises on postoperative frailty in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery

Background

To improve perioperative frailty status in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery (LCCS), we explored a new intensive prehabilitation program that combines prehabilitation exercises with standard enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and explored its impact.

Methods

We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial. Between April 2021 to August 2021, patients undergoing elective LCCS were randomized into the standardized ERAS (S-ERAS) group or ERAS based on prehabilitation (group PR-ERAS). Patients in the PR-ERAS group undergoing prehabilitation exercises in the perioperative period in addition to standard enhanced recovery after surgery. We explored the effects of this prehabilitation protocol on frailty, short-term quality of recovery (QoR), psychological status, postoperative functional capacity, postoperative outcomes, and pain.

Results

In total, 125 patients were evaluated, and 95 eligible patients were enrolled and randomly allocated to the S-ERAS (n = 45) and PR-ERAS (n = 50) groups. The Fried score was higher in the PR-ERAS group on postoperative day (7 (2(2,3) vs. 3(2,4), P = 0.012). The QoR-9 was higher in the PR-ERAS group than in the S-ERAS group on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th postoperative days. The PR-ERAS group had an earlier time to first ambulation (P < 0.050) and time to first flatus (P < 0.050).

Conclusion

Prehabilitation exercises can improve postoperative frailty and accelerate recovery in patients undergoing LCCS but may not improve surgical safety. Therefore, better and more targeted prehabilitation recovery protocols should be explored.

Clinical trial registration

www.clinicaltrials.org , identifier NCT04964856.

How is family health related to health-related quality of life among middle-aged and older adults in rural China? A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is unequal between countries and regions, and the emphasis on HRQOL of populations of low-income countries and regions is unprecedented.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between family health and HRQOL among middle-aged and older adults in rural China, and determine whether this association differs by age, gender and chronic disease subgroup.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey carried out from July to September 2021. The participants were 1059 people aged 46 and over living in rural China. We used the European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level (EQ-5D-5L) and Family Health Scale-Short Form (FHS-SF) to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and family health, respectively.

RESULTS

The mean EQ-VAS was 75.66, the mean EQ index score was 0.92, and the mean FHS was 37.90 in rural middle-aged and older adults. After Bonferroni correction, generalised linear regression models showed that FHS was significantly associated with the EQ-VAS (β = 0.829; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.660 to 0.997; p < .001) and the EQ index score (β = 0.003; 95%CI: 0.001 to 0.004; p < .001). Binary logistic regression models showed that FHS was associated with three dimensions of HRQOL (mobility, self-care and usual activities) (p < .01). Based on subgroup analyses, the effect of FHS on EQ-VAS and the EQ index score was significant in three subgroups after Bonferroni correction (p < .01), but the association between FHS and the dimensions of HRQOL differed by age, gender and chronic disease group (p > .01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to explore that family health and its dimensions are significant positive predictors of HRQOL among middle-aged and older adults in rural China. Family-based measures may have more potential and value because better family health significantly improves HRQOL.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

In the health strategy, the government and primary health care workers should include family health as an indicator and assess it before and after the implementation of the strategy.

Development of soft tissue asymmetry indicators to characterize aging and functional mobility

Introduction: The aging population poses significant challenges to healthcare systems globally, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of age-related changes affecting physical function. Age-related functional decline highlights the urgency of understanding how tissue composition changes impact mobility, independence, and quality of life in older adults. Previous research has emphasized the influence of muscle quality, but the role of tissue composition asymmetry across various tissue types remains understudied. This work develops asymmetry indicators based on muscle, connective and fat tissue extracted from cross-sectional CT scans, and shows their interplay with BMI and lower extremity function among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: We used data from 3157 older adults from 71 to 98 years of age (mean: 80.06). Tissue composition asymmetry was defined by the differences between the right and left sides using CT scans and the non-Linear Trimodal Regression Analysis (NTRA) parameters. Functional mobility was measured through a 6-meter gait (Normal-GAIT and Fast-GAIT) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) performance test. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests, polynomial fitting curves, and regression analysis to uncover relationships between tissue asymmetry, age, and functional mobility. Results: Findings revealed an increase in tissue composition asymmetry with age. Notably, muscle and connective tissue width asymmetry showed significant variation across age groups. BMI classifications and gait tasks also influenced tissue asymmetry. The Fast-GAIT task demonstrated a substantial separation in tissue asymmetry between normal and slow groups, whereas the Normal-GAIT and the TUG task did not exhibit such distinction. Muscle quality, as reflected by asymmetry indicators, appears crucial in understanding age-related changes in muscle function, while fat and connective tissue play roles in body composition and mobility. Discussion: Our study emphasizes the importance of tissue asymmetry indicators in understanding how muscle function changes with age in older individuals, demonstrating their role as risk factor and their potential employment in clinical assessment. We also identified the influence of fat and connective tissue on body composition and functional mobility. Incorporating the NTRA technology into clinical evaluations could enable personalized interventions for older adults, promoting healthier aging and maintaining physical function.

Physiotherapy-led telehealth and exercise intervention to improve mobility in older people receiving aged care services (TOP UP): protocol for a randomised controlled type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial

Introduction

Deteriorating mobility and falls reduce independence and quality of life for older people receiving aged care services. This trial aims to establish effectiveness on the mobility of older people, and explore cost-effectiveness and implementation of a telehealth physiotherapy programme.

Method and analysis

This type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation randomised controlled trial will involve 240 people aged 65+ years receiving aged care services in community or residential settings. Participants will be randomised to either: (1) the Telehealth Physiotherapy for Older People (TOP UP) Program or (2) a wait-list control group. The 6-month intervention includes 10 physiotherapy sessions delivered by videocall (Zoom). The intervention will include the local support of an aged care worker and online exercise resources. Primary outcome is mobility at 6 months post randomisation measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery. Secondary outcomes include rate of falls, sit-to-stand, quality of life, and goal attainment at 6 months after randomisation. Regression models will assess the effect of group allocation on mobility and the other continuously scored secondary outcomes, adjusting for baseline scores. The number of falls per person over 6 months will be analysed using negative binomial regression models to estimate between-group differences. An economic analysis will explore the cost-effectiveness of the TOP UP programme compared with usual care. Implementation outcomes and determinants relating to the intervention's reach, fidelity, exercise dose delivered, adoption, feasibility, acceptability, barriers and facilitators will be explored using mixed methods.

Conclusion

This is the first trial to investigate the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and implementation of a physiotherapy intervention in aged care delivered solely by telehealth internationally. The study has strong aged care co-design and governance and is guided by steering and advisory committees that include staff from aged care service providers and end-users. Trial results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed articles, conference presentations and lay summaries.

Trial registration number

The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12621000734864).

Early Mobilization for Critically Ill Patients

Advances in the field of critical care medicine have helped improve the survival rate of these ill patients. Several studies have demonstrated the potential benefits of early mobilization as an important component of critical care rehabilitation. However, there have been some inconsistent results. Moreover, the lack of standardized mobilization protocols and the associated safety concerns are a barrier to the implementation of early mobilization in critically ill patients. Therefore, determining the appropriate modalities of implementation of early mobilization is a key imperative to leverage its potential in these patients. In this paper, we review the contemporary literature to summarize the strategies for early mobilization of critically ill patients, assess the implementation and validity based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, as well as discuss the safety aspects of early mobilization.

Late-Night Overeating and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Adults Aged ≥ 50: A Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Late-night overeating (LNOE) is closely associated with many health risk factors, but whether LNOE can increase the risk of death remains unknown. Thus, the prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the relationship between LNOE and mortality using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

METHODS

11,893 participants aged 50 years and older were included in the study. Dietary information was obtained through 24-h dietary recall interviews. Cox regression, subgroup, sensitivity, and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between LNOE and mortality.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 8.3 years, 2,498 deaths occurred. After adjusting for major confounders, compared to the non-late-night eating (NLNE) group, the LNOE group was associated with higher risks of all-cause (HR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.06-2.04) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality (HR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.13-3.60). No significant association was found between late-night eating (LNE) and mortality. Subgroup analyses showed that the LNOE group had a greater risk of all-cause and CVD mortality in participants older than 70 years, with alcohol consumption and hypertension and demonstrated an increased risk of all-cause mortality in males and higher CVD mortality in females.

CONCLUSION

The habit of LNOE was an independent risk factor for all-cause and CVD mortality in US adults aged 50 years and older, which was also influenced by age, sex, alcohol consumption, and hypertension.