scholarly journals The Effects of Exergaming on Sensory Reweighting and Mediolateral Stability of Women Aged Over 60: Usability Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariann Sápi ◽  
Anna Fehér-Kiss ◽  
Krisztina Csernák ◽  
Andrea Domján ◽  
Sándor Pintér
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
Baseline Data ◽  
Usability Study ◽  
Sensory Reweighting ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Eyes Open

BACKGROUND Older adults tend to experience difficulties in switching quickly between various reliable sensory inputs, which ultimately may contribute to an increased risk of falls and injuries. Sideward falls are the most frequent cause of hip fractures among older adults. Recently, exergame programs have been confirmed as beneficial tools for enhancing postural control, which can reduce the risk of falls. However, studies to explore more precisely which mechanism of exergaming directly influences older women’s ability to balance are still needed. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to evaluate, in a single-group pretest/posttest/follow-up usability study, whether Kinect exergame balance training might have a beneficial impact on the sensory reweighting in women aged over 60. METHODS A total of 14 healthy women (mean age 69.57 [SD 4.66] years, mean body mass index 26.21 [SD 2.6] kg/m<sup>2</sup>) participated in the study. The volunteers trained with the commercially available games of Kinect for Xbox 360 console 3 times (30 minutes/session) a week over a 6-week period (total of 18 visits). Participants’ postural sway in both the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions was recorded with NeuroCom Balance Master 6.0. To assess and measure postural sensory reweighting, the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance was used, where volunteers were exposed to various changes in visual (eyes open or eyes closed) and surface conditions (firm or foam surface). RESULTS In the ML direction, the Kinect exergame training caused a significant decrease in the sway path on the firm surface with the eyes open (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) and eyes closed (<i>P</i>=.001), and on the foam surface with the eyes open (<i>P</i>=.001) and eyes closed (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) conditions compared with baseline data. The follow-up measurements when compared with the baseline data showed a significant change in the sway path on the firm surface with the eyes open (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) and eyes closed (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) conditions, as well as on the foam surface with the eyes open (<i>P</i>=.003) and eyes closed (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) conditions. Besides, on the firm surface, there were no significant differences in sway path values in the AP direction between the baseline and the posttraining measurements (eyes open: <i>P</i>=.49; eyes closed: <i>P</i>=.18). Likewise, on the foam surface, there were no significant differences in sway path values in the AP direction under both eyes open (<i>P</i>=.24) and eyes closed (<i>P</i>=.84) conditions. CONCLUSIONS The improved posturography measurements of the sway path in the ML direction might suggest that the Kinect exergame balance training may have effects on sensory reweighting, and thus on the balance of women aged over 60. Based on these results, Kinect exergaming may provide a safe and potentially useful tool for improving postural stability in the crucial ML direction, and thus it may help reduce the risk of falling.

scholarly journals Static postural control assessment during pregnancy

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Silvia Moccellin ◽  
Fernanda G. S. A. Nora ◽  
Paula H. L. Costa ◽  
Patricia Driusso
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Pubic Symphysis ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Eyes Open

The hormonal and anatomic changes during pregnancy affect the musculoskeletal system and may lead to instability of static postural control and increased risk of falls. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in static postural control during the three trimesters of pregnancy, using variables derived from the center of pressure. This is a descriptive study in which posturographic tests were applied in four still standing positions, for three trials, with a combination of different visual conditions (eyes open - EO/eyes closed - EC) and support base configurations on 20 non-pregnant women (C) and 13 pregnant women during the gestational period (G1, G2 and G3). For static postural control assessment, a force plate (Bertec®) was used, and the variables analyzed were statokinesigram area, displacement amplitude, displacement velocity and sway frequency. The results demonstrate that, early in pregnancy, the woman's body seems to already change postural control, probably due to increased mobility of the sacroiliac joint and pubic symphysis caused by hormonal factors, and during the trimesters there is a decrease in postural stability, observed as an increase in the elliptical areas, amplitudes of center of pressure displacement and velocity of center of pressure displacement.

scholarly journals Static postural control assessment during pregnancy

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Silvia Moccellin ◽  
Fernanda G. S. A. Nora ◽  
Paula H. L. Costa ◽  
Patricia Driusso
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Pubic Symphysis ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Eyes Open

<p>The hormonal and anatomic changes during pregnancy affect the musculoskeletal system and may lead to instability of static postural control and increased risk of falls. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in static postural control during the three trimesters of pregnancy, using variables derived from the center of pressure. This is a descriptive study in which posturographic tests were applied in four still standing positions, for three trials, with a combination of different visual conditions (eyes open - EO/eyes closed - EC) and support base configurations on 20 non-pregnant women (C) and 13 pregnant women during the gestational period (G1, G2 and G3). For static postural control assessment, a force plate (Bertec®) was used, and the variables analyzed were statokinesigram area, displacement amplitude, displacement velocity and sway frequency. The results demonstrate that, early in pregnancy, the woman's body seems to already change postural control, probably due to increased mobility of the sacroiliac joint and pubic symphysis caused by hormonal factors, and during the trimesters there is a decrease in postural stability, observed as an increase in the elliptical areas, amplitudes of center of pressure displacement and velocity of center of pressure displacement.</p>

scholarly journals 60 Obesity in Older Adults in the Epic Norfolk Study is Associated with Reduced 20-Year Falls Hospitalization

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv13-iv17
Author(s):  
Sheng Hui Kioh ◽  
Mat Sumaiyah ◽  
Phyo Myint ◽  
Maw Pin Tan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Body Height ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background One in three older adults fall each year leading to increased disability, hospitalizations and mortality. Recent studies suggested an increased risk of falls among obese individuals which may correlate with increased rates of falls hospitalizations. However, there is not much information supporting the hypothesis that obesity may influence the risk of falls related hospitalizations. Aims To prospectively investigate whether body mass index (BMI) is a predictor for falls hospitalization by age group in the population of the EPIC-Norfolk Study. Methods Body height and weight were measured at baseline and BMI calculated. Falls hospitalization status over 20 years’ follow-up was ascertained using data linkage with centralized NHS records. Participants were categorized into the four BMI groups: underweight (BMI &lt;18.5kg/m2 ), normal (18.5 ≤ BMI &lt; 25.0 kg/m2), overweight ( 25.0 ≤ BMI &lt; 30.0 kg/m2 ) and obese ( BMI ≥ 30.0kg/m2 ), and according to three age groups ( &lt; 55 years, 55-64 years, ≥ 65 years). Results Data from 25636 individuals, (54.7%) women and (45.3%) men, mean age 59.2 ± 9.3 years, were included. For individuals within the under 55-year age group at baseline, individuals who were overweight (HR = 1.25; 95% CI= 1.01-1.56) and obese (HR = 1.54; 95% CI= 1.17-1.81) were at higher risk of falls hospitalization compared with those with normal BMI. As for individuals aged ≥ 65 years at recruitment, individuals who were obese were less likely to be hospitalized after a fall (HR = 0.85; 95% CI= 0.74 – 0.97) compared to those with normal BMI. Conclusions The relationship between obesity and falls hospitalization over 20 years differed between those aged &lt;55years and 65years, with an increased risk observed for those &lt;55years and reduced risk in those 65years. The underlying rationale for this finding will need to be evaluated in future studies.

scholarly journals Elevated plasma growth and differentiation factor 15 predicts incident anemia in older adults aged 60 years and older

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Yamaguchi ◽  
Marta Zampino ◽  
Toshiko Tanaka ◽  
Stefania Bandinelli ◽  
Yusuke Osawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
Differentiation Factor ◽  
Hazards Model ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Anemia is common in older adults and associated with greater morbidity and mortality. The causes of anemia in older adults have not been completely characterized. Although elevated circulating growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) has been associated with anemia in older adults, it is not known whether elevated GDF-15 predicts the development of anemia. Methods We examined the relationship between plasma GDF-15 concentrations at baseline in 708 non-anemic adults, aged 60 years and older, with incident anemia during 15 years of follow-up among participants in the Invecchiare in Chianti (InCHIANTI) Study. Results During follow-up, 179 (25.3%) participants developed anemia. The proportion of participants who developed anemia from the lowest to highest quartile of plasma GDF-15 was 12.9%, 20.1%, 21.2%, and 45.8%, respectively. Adults in the highest quartile of plasma GDF-15 had an increased risk of developing anemia (Hazards Ratio 1.15, 95% Confidence Interval 1.09, 1.21, P&lt;.0001) compared to those in the lower three quartiles in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for age, sex, serum iron, soluble transferrin receptor, ferritin, vitamin B12, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Conclusions Circulating GDF-15 is an independent predictor for the development of anemia in older adults.

scholarly journals Short-term balance training and acute effects on postural sway in balance-deficient older adults: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niklas Sörlén ◽  
Andreas Hult ◽  
Peter Nordström ◽  
Anna Nordström ◽  
Jonas Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Balance Exercise

Abstract Background We aimed to determine the effectiveness of 4 weeks of balance exercise compared with no intervention on objectively measured postural sway. Methods This was a single-center parallel randomized controlled, open label, trial. A six-sided dice was used for allocation at a 1:1-ratio between exercise and control. The trial was performed at a university hospital clinic in Sweden and recruited community-dwelling older adults with documented postural instability. The intervention consisted of progressively challenging balance exercise three times per week, during 4 weeks, with follow-up at week five. Main outcome measures were objective postural sway length during eyes open and eyes closed conditions. Results Sixty-five participants aged 70 years (balance exercise n = 32; no intervention n = 33) were randomized. 14 participants were excluded from analysis because of early dropout before follow-up at week five, leaving 51 (n = 22; n = 29) participants for analysis. No significant differences were detected between the groups in any of the postural sway outcomes. Within-group analyses showed significant improvements in hand grip strength for the intervention group, while Timed Up & Go improvements were comparable between groups but only statistically significant in the control group. Conclusions Performing balance exercise over a four-week intervention period did not acutely improve postural sway in balance-deficient older adults. The lower limit in duration and frequency to achieve positive effects remains unclear. Trial registration Clinical trials NCT03227666, July 24, 2017, retrospectively registered.

scholarly journals Virtual reality intervention to improve apathy in residential aged care: protocol for a multisite non-randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e046030
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Saredakis ◽  
Hannah A D Keage ◽  
Megan Corlis ◽  
Tobias Loetscher
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Laptop Computer ◽  
Reminiscence Therapy ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

IntroductionApathy is a prevalent neuropsychiatric symptom for older adults residing in aged care. Left untreated, apathy has been associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increased risk of mortality. Reminiscence therapy is commonly used in aged care and has demonstrated to reduce apathy. Traditional methods of reminiscence use physical objects and more recently technology including tablets and laptop computers have demonstrated potential. Virtual reality (VR) has successfully been used to treat psychological disorders; however, there is little evidence on using VR for behavioural symptoms such as apathy in older adults. Using VR to deliver reminiscence therapy provides an immersive experience, and readily available applications provide access to a large range of content allowing easier delivery of therapy over traditional forms of therapy. This study aims to identify changes in apathy after a reminiscence therapy intervention using head-mounted displays (HMDs).Methods and analysisParticipants will be allocated to one of three groups; reminiscence therapy using VR; an active control using a laptop computer or physical items and a passive control. A total of 45 participants will be recruited from residential aged care (15 in each group). The three groups will be compared at baseline and follow-up. The primary outcome is apathy, and secondary outcomes include cognition and depression. Side effects from using HMDs will also be examined in the VR group. Primary and secondary outcomes at baseline and follow-up will be analysed using linear mixed modelling.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the University of South Australia Human Research Ethics Committee. The results from this study will be disseminated through manuscript publications and national/international conferences.Trial registration numberACTRN12619001510134.

scholarly journals The Association of Sensory Impairment With Incident Disability-Related Cessation of Employment in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 216-216
Author(s):  
Ahmed Shakarchi ◽  
Emmanuel Garcia Morales ◽  
Nicholas Reed ◽  
Bonnielin Swenor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Sensory Impairment ◽  
Loss To Follow Up ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard Regression ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Adjusted Model

Abstract Sensory impairment (SI) is common among older adults, and it is an increasingly important public health challenge as the population ages. We evaluated the association between SI and incident disability-related cessation of employment in older adults using the population-based Health and Retirement Study. Participants employed in 2006 completed biennial interviews until self-reported incident disability-related cessation of employment. Participants were censored at loss to follow-up, retirement, or 2018. Participants rated their vision and hearing, using eyeglasses or hearing aids if applicable, on a Likert scale (poor, fair, good, very good, excellent). SI was defined as poor or fair ability, and SI was categorized as neither SI (NSI), vision impairment alone (VI), hearing impairment alone (HI), and dual SI (DSI). Cox proportional hazard regression assessed the association between SI and incident disability-related cessation of employment, adjusting for demographic and health covariates. Overall, 4726 participants were included: 421 (8.9%) were with VI, 487 (10.3) with HI, and 203 (4.3%) with DSI. Mean age was 61.0 ± 6.8 years, 2488 (52.6%) were women, and 918 (19.4) were non-White. In the fully adjusted model, incident disability-related cessation of employment over the 12-year follow-up period was higher in VI (Hazard Ratio (HR)=1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.92, 1.85), HI (HR=1.60, CI=1.16, 2.22), and DSI (HR=2.02, CI=1.38, 2.96). These findings indicate that employed older adults with SI are at increased risk of incident disability-related cessation of employment, and that older adults with DSI are particularly vulnerable. Addressing SI in older adults may lengthen their contribution to the workforce.

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