[Association of the physical activity of community-dwelling older adults with transportation modes, depression and social networks]

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Frailty Among the Older People in Japan

This study investigates the relationship between social media use and frailty in older adults, focusing on the influence of social media engagement and various frailty-related factors. A survey was conducted with 103 participants aged 65 and above, who completed a questionnaire on their social media usage, psychological well-being, dietary habits, physical activity, sleep patterns, and social interactions. Frailty was assessed using the Kihon Checklist, categorizing participants into non-frailty, pre-frailty, and frailty groups. The analysis was conducted using ordinal logistic regression to examine the relationship between social media usage and other frailty-related factors (e.g., psychological factors, sociality, diet, and exercise) with frailty status. The findings revealed that social media engagement was significantly associated with frailty status, with higher levels of engagement linked to reduced frailty. Specifically, participants who reported higher levels of social media interaction also reported better psychological well-being, increased social interaction, and greater engagement in physical and leisure activities. These results suggest that social media use may have a positive impact on frailty, potentially by enhancing social connectivity and promoting healthier lifestyle choices in older adults. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms through which social media can mitigate frailty and promote healthy aging.

Factors Related to Ikigai among Home-visit Rehabilitation Users Aged 75 Years and Older Receiving Home Medical and Nursing Care in Japan

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the factors that influence Ikigai among people aged 75 years and older using home medical and nursing care with home-visit rehabilitation.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 66 home-visit rehabilitation users aged 75 years or older who received home medical and nursing care at 2 home-care nursing stations. The following attributes were evaluated: Ikigai-9, life-space assessment (LSA), home-based LSA (Hb-LSA), Frenchay activities index (FAI), functional independence measure (FIM), self-efficacy for activities of daily living (SEADL), self-efficacy scale for going out among community-dwelling elderly (SEGE), and physical function. The correlation between Ikigai-9 scores and each assessment was examined. Multiple regression analysis was performed using the Ikigai-9 as the dependent variable and the correlated items as independent variables.

RESULTS

The Hb-LSA, FAI, FIM, SEADL, and SEGE were correlated with Ikigai-9. Among the correlated items, the FAI was selected for multiple regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Home-visit rehabilitation users aged 75 and over may be more likely to feel Ikigai if they have higher instrumental ADLs.

Age-varying association between depression symptoms and executive function among older adults: Moderation by physical activity

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed trends in depression symptoms, executive function, and their association across age among older adults. Subgroup comparisons were made between older adults meeting and not meeting physical activity guidelines on variables and associations of interest.

METHODS

Participants (n = 2473) were older adults ages 60 to 79 from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Depression symptoms, executive function, and physical activity were assessed, and weighted time-varying effect modeling was used for analyses.

RESULTS

Depression symptoms were most severe at age 62 followed by a modest decline before a second peak around age 67. Executive function was highest at age 60 and declined steadily through age 77. Depression symptoms and executive function were negatively associated, but the strength and significance of this association varied with age. Older adults meeting physical activity guidelines had increased executive function and less severe depression symptoms, and meeting physical activity guidelines buffered the association between depression symptoms and executive function at key ages during older adulthood.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences by age should be considered when designing and implementing health programs and treatments focusing on mental health and cognition in older adulthood. Encouraging moderate-intensity physical activity may help protect older adults from depression-related cognitive decline.

Nonleisure-Time Physical Activity Guidance Following Minor Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of this single-masked randomized clinical trial was to examine whether nonleisure-time physical activity guidance (NLTPAG) improves physical activity levels in patients after minor ischemic stroke. Patients who had been hospitalized for minor ischemic stroke in an acute care hospital (National Health Institute Stroke Scale ≤ 5) were randomized to either an NLTPAG group (n = 17) or a leisure-time physical activity guidance group (n = 16). NLTPAG focused on reducing sedentary behavior and increasing the frequency of walking for shopping and household activities to improve physical activity levels in daily life. Physical activity levels significantly improved only in participants in the NLTPAG group (initial assessment: metabolic equivalents of task = 12.6; final assessment: metabolic equivalents of task = 14.8; p = .035, r = .51). These results suggest that NLTPAG may be effective for improving physical activity levels in patients after minor ischemic stroke.

Effect of group activities on health promotion for the community-dwelling elderly

Objective: In Japan, the Integrated Community Care System aims to support residents to live as independently as possible at home. Koreisya-Kyoshitsu and Fureaiikiiki salons are two types of group activities for community-dwelling elderly. We investigated effective ways of conducting such activities.

Methods: We analyzed 96 subjects from 8 salons and 354 subjects from 10 Koreisya-Kyoshitsu. Self-completed questionnaires included the following: attributes, the Motor Fitness Scale (MFS), revised Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS), Measurement of Psychological Independence (MPI), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and self-rated health status (SRH). Follow-up assessment was conducted 6 months later. Representatives from 8 salons and staff members from 10 Koreisya-Kyoshitsu answered an additional questionnaire on management.

Results: In Koreisya-Kyoshitsu, physical performance (MFS) (p = 0.007) and subjective well-being (PGCMS) (p = 0.001) improved significantly, whereas psychological independence (MPI) deteriorated significantly (p = 0.015). The MFS scores significantly improved in the sub-group with a high number of sessions (7 or more) (p = 0.043), as well as in the non-volunteer sub-group (p = 0.004). The PGCMS scores significantly improved in the sub-group with a high number of sessions (p < 0.001). The MPI scores significantly deteriorated in the sub-group with a low frequency of sessions (6 or less) and in the non-volunteer sub-group (p = 0.013 and p = 0.010, respectively). In salons, the frequency of going out decreased significantly (p = 0.049). Functional status (IADL) significantly improved in the “twice or more a month” sub-group (p = 0.046), whereas it significantly deteriorated in the “once a month” sub-group (p = 0.004). The proportion of volunteers/organizers in Koreisya-Kyoshitsu (23.4%) was significantly lower than that in salons (39.6%).

Conclusion: The frequency (number) of sessions, but not the volunteer/non-volunteer attribute, was a key factor in obtaining the health promotion effects of group activities in both Koreisya-Kyoshitsu and salons.

Relationships between social factors and physical activity among elderly survivors of the Great East Japan earthquake: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Physical inactivity is a health issue that often occurs after serious disaster. Social factors, which can be disrupted by disaster, are important determinants of physical activity levels in everyday living. This study was designed to confirm the association between social factors and physical activity among elderly survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

METHODS

From September 2011 to February 2012, 4316 males and females aged 65 or older participated in a health survey of Great East Japan Earthquake survivors. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with the dichotomous dependent variable of physical activity (high versus low) and working status, social network, and place of residence (one's own home versus elsewhere) as independent variables.

RESULTS

Participants who had been displaced from their homes were more likely to have low physical activity (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI] for men: 1.37, 1.12 to 1.68; for women: 1.30, 1.09 to 1.55). Non-working status was significantly associated with low physical activity (men: 2.03, 1.65 to 2.49; women: 1.94, 1.60 to 2.34). Detriments to the social network were significantly associated with low physical activity (men: 1.71, 1.41 to 2.08; women: 1.79, 1.51 to 2.13).

CONCLUSION

Place of residence and social factors were associated with physical activity levels in elderly survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The findings suggest a need for improvement of social factors to encourage increases in physical activity for elderly persons after disaster.

Physical activity as a protective factor against depressive symptoms in older Chinese veterans in the community: result from a national cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Physical activity is generally considered to be effective in reducing the prevalence of depression and promoting remission of its symptoms. However, large-scale epidemiological research on this issue is lacking in older Chinese adults. We performed a nationwide epidemiological survey to determine the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms in older Chinese veterans in the community, with adjustment for potential confounders.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of 9,676 community-dwelling older Chinese veterans. Depressive symptoms were identified using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Physical activity was self-reported using a one-year physical activity questionnaire. Information about covariates was obtained by questionnaire-based interview. Relationships between study variables and symptoms of depression were estimated using unadjusted and adjusted analyses.

RESULTS

The median age was 82.29 (interquartile range 80.25-84.60) years. In total, 81.84% of the study participants engaged in physical activity that was predominantly light in intensity. In unadjusted analyses, physical activity was associated with a significantly decreased likelihood of depressive symptoms (5.43% versus 18.83%, P<0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression with adjustment and controlling for confounders, physical activity was still inversely associated with depressive symptoms and was the only independent protective factor (odds ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.72, P<0.0001) among the associated factors in this study. In a univariate general linear model, there was a significant difference in Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale score between subjects participating in active physical activity and those who did not (F=59.07, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This study found an inverse relationship between physical activity and symptoms of depression in older Chinese veterans in the community. It was also indicated that the antidepressant effect of physical activity probably extended to the oldest-old, and the light-intensity physical activity was probably available for the same protective effect. This information could be used to devise further interventions to prevent or ameliorate symptoms of depression.

Objectively measured light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with lower depression levels among older US adults

OBJECTIVES

We have a limited understanding of the epidemiological association between objectively measured physical activity and depression among older adults. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between accelerometer-assessed physical activity and depression symptoms among a nationally representative sample of US older adults.

METHODS

Data from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used. 708 older adults (65+ years) wore an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer for at least 4 days, and completed data on the study covariates along with depression, as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

RESULTS

After controlling for age, gender, race-ethnicity, body mass index, marital status, education, comorbidity index, and physical functioning, for every 60-minute increase in light-intensity physical activity, participants were 20% (OR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67-0.95; p = 0.01) less likely to be depressed. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was also inversely associated with depression (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.64-0.94; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that promoting physical activity, even light-intensity physical activity, may have positive mental health effects among older adults. Future prospective and experimental studies are warranted.

Age and gender differences in correlations of leisure-time, household, and work-related physical activity with physical performance in older Japanese adults

AIM

This study aimed to compare relationships of leisure-time, household, and work-related physical activity (PA) with physical performance by age and gender in older Japanese adults.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 525 community-dwelling older adults (73.3 ± 5.2 years) recruited in 2009-2011 in Kasama City, rural Japan. We used the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly to assess PA variables. Physical performance was evaluated by 11 performance tests: grip strength, single-leg balance, functional reach, sit-and-reach, standing time from long sitting position, sit-to-stand, timed up and go, habitual walk, hand working, and simple and choice reaction times.

RESULTS

After adjusting for potential confounders, leisure-time PA in young-old (≤ 74 years) men correlated significantly with eight performance tests (absolute value of Spearman's partial rank correlation coefficient: r = 0.18-0.39), whereas in old-old (≥ 75 years) men it correlated with three performance tests (r = 0.20-0.23). Although leisure-time PA correlated with six performance tests (r = 0.19-0.22) in young-old women, there were no significant correlations between leisure-time PA and performance tests in old-old women. Household PA of young-old men (r = 0.20-0.23) and old-old women (r = 0.26-0.34) correlated with four performance tests. In old-old men and young-old women, no significant correlation was found between household PA and performance tests. Work-related PA did not relate significantly to any performance tests in any groups.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that leisure-time PA is related to physical performance, especially in young-old men and women, and household PA is especially related in young-old men and old-old women. Our findings suggest that supporting strategies for maintaining physical functions would differ by gender and age.