Abstract
BackgroundWhile bathing styles vary among countries, most Japanese people prefer tub bathing to showers and saunas. However, few studies have examined the relationship between tub bathing and health outcomes. Accordingly, in this prospective cohort study, we investigated the association between tub bathing frequency and the onset of functional disability among older people in Japan.MethodsWe used data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES). The baseline survey was conducted from August 2010 through January 2012 and enrolled 13,786 community-dwelling older people (6,482 men and 7,304 women) independent in activities of daily living. During a 3-year observation period, the onset of functional disability, identified by new certification for need of Long-Term Care Insurance, was recorded. Tub bathing frequencies in summer and winter at baseline were divided into three groups: low frequency (0–2 times/week), moderate frequency (3–6 times/week), and high frequency (≥7 times/week). We estimated the risks of functional disability in each group using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsFunctional disability was observed in a total of 1,203 cases (8.7%). Compared with the low-frequency group and after adjustment for 14 potential confounders, the hazard ratios of the moderate- and high-frequency groups were 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75–1.10) and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.60–0.85) for summer and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.76–1.07) and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.60–0.84) for winter.ConclusionHigh tub bathing frequency is associated with lower onset of functional disability. Therefore, tub bathing might be beneficial for older people’s health.
Highlights
Population aging is a critical issue in most developed and developing countries.[1,2] With a proportion of individuals 65 years or older of 27.8%, Japan has the most aged population in the world.[3]
Prevention of functional disability is an important issue for public health in Japan and other counties
Compared with the other groups, the people classed in the highfrequency group were younger and more likely to be married, not depressed, and independent in instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) and have a moderate-to-high equivalized income, normal physical strength, and normal cognitive function
Summary
Population aging is a critical issue in most developed and developing countries.[1,2] With a proportion of individuals 65 years or older of 27.8% (in August 2017), Japan has the most aged population in the world.[3] This proportion is expected to increase rapidly in the near future.[4] A growing number of older people have functional disability requiring care in daily life, and there are increasingly fewer young people to support them. Few studies have examined the relationship between tub bathing and health outcomes. In this prospective cohort study, we investigated the association between tub bathing frequency and the onset of functional disability among older people in Japan
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