Capacity Of Elderly People Research Articles

Capacidade funcional e fragilidade de idosos com sequela de tuberculose pulmonar

INTRODUÇÃO: A tuberculose (TB) é uma doença de caráter infectocontagiosa, de evolução crônica, causada pela Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Uma vez considerada como doença crônica entre idosos por poder gerar sequelas e resultar em comprometimento da capacidade pulmonar, e desta forma contribuir para um quadro clínico de pior prognóstico é essencial estudar a relação da TB com a síndrome da fragilidade e a capacidade funcional em idosos. OBJETIVO: Analisar a capacidade funcional de idosos com seqüela de TB Pulmonar e investigar a ocorrência de fragilidade nesta população. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com método quantitativo-correlacional, realizado no período de agosto a novembro de 2017, no ambulatório de fisioterapia do Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto, Belém/PA. Avaliou-se a fragilidade pelo instrumento Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) e a capacidade funcional pelo “Teste de AVD-Glittre” (TGlittre). Utilizou-se a “correlação de Spearman” entre TFI e TGlittre. Adotou-se p-valor?0,05. RESULTADOS: Avaliaram-se 24 idosos com diagnóstico clínico de TB Pulmonar, apresentando alterações e/ou sequelas pulmonares. A média de idade foi de 68,37 +6,01anos, 66,7% era do sexo feminino. A presença de fragilidade foi de 70,5% (IC95% 48,9-87,4), com predomínio feminino (82,4%). A média do tempo no TGlittre foi de 5,77+1,71 minutos. Houve correlação moderada positiva entre TFI e TGlittre (p=0.42, p= 0.03). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo identificou a fragilidade e comprometimento funcional em idosos com sequela de TB pulmonar, com prevalência alta de fragilidade se comparada aos outros estudos brasileiros com a população idosa, além de apresenta correlação moderada positiva entre a capacidade funcional e fragilidade, mostrando que essa população merece atenção especial nos programas de reabilitação para a manutenção ou recuperação funcional.

Correlation between quality of life, depression, satisfaction and functionality of older people with HIV.

To analyze the correlation between the quality of life, depression, life satisfaction, and functional capacity in elderly people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). A cross-sectional study developed in reference hospitals for treatment and follow-up of people with HIV. 241 elderly people participated by applying a questionnaire containing sociodemographic variables, the HIV/AIDS target quality of Life, the Barthel Index, the Life Satisfaction Scale, and the abbreviated version with 15 items of the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. The analyses showed an inverse correlation between the dimensions of the HAT-Qol with depression, a positive correlation in the domain satisfaction with life, and statistically significant, but weak, with functionality. Depression impairs quality of life in all dimensions, while life satisfaction influences this aspect more positively than functional capacity. Quality of Life; Depression; Personal Satisfaction; Aged; HIV.

Association between exercise and health-related quality of life and medical resource use in elderly people with diabetes: a cross-sectional population-based study

BackgroundExercise improves glycemic control and functional capacity in elderly people with diabetes; however, its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and medical resource use remains unclear. This study aims to clarify the effect of exercise.MethodsUsing the data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2016, we identified 1572 elderly people with diabetes for this cross-sectional population-based study. Demographic characteristics, health conditions, comorbidities, HRQoL, and medical resource were compared among four groups (no exercise, low-intensity exercise, moderate-intensity exercise, and high-intensity exercise).ResultsThe mean age of all participants was between 71.5 and 73.3 years. Male participants with higher education performed more exercise than their counterparts. The moderate- and high-intensity groups reported better general health condition than the no exercise group. Depression and worse health were more common in the no exercise group. Participants in the moderate-intensity exercise group had lower risk for depression than those in the no exercise group (adjusted odds ratio: 0.13, 95% confidence interval: 0.02–0.92) after adjusting for demographic characteristics, health conditions, and comorbidities, whereas participants in the low- and high-intensity exercise did not have a lower risk. The no exercise group had the highest proportions of emergency, hospitalization, and total healthcare visits.ConclusionsExercise is associated with better HRQoL, and lack of exercise is associated with higher medical resource use in elderly people with diabetes. Encouraging exercise is recommended in this population.

Effects Of Water-based Detraining/re-training On Muscular Fitness And Functional Capacity In Elderly People

The positive long-term effects of exercise training on health-related outcomes in elderly people as well as the negative effects of training interruption are well documented. Despite largely used, little is knowing about the effects of detraining/re-training in water-based exercise training. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of water-based detraining/re-training on low limb peak torque and functional capacity in an elderly population. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-nine older individuals (68±6yrs) from both genders (176 female and 13 male) engaged in water-based training (training period = 6±3yrs), had their lower limb peak torque (dynamometer), functional capacity (Time Up and Go test [TUG]; and 6-min walk test [6WT]) assessed before exercise training interruption (TI), after 12-weeks of interruption (DT) and after 12-weeks of re-training (RT) on water-based strength training (45minute per session twice a week). RESULTS: : Lower limb peak torque decreased from TI (12.83+3.86 kg/f) to DT (10.78+ 3.66) (p < 0.01), and was increased after RT (17.37 + 4.35 kg/f) (p < 0.01), achieving higher values compared to TI (p <0.01). No effects of detraining were observed for both 6WT or TUG (P>0.05), however re-training increases the performance on 6WT (425.94+ 65.30 m) and TUG (6.84+1.50 sec) compared to the TI (6WT= 390.00+ 55.47 m; TUG= 9.71+ 1.91 sec; p <0.01, for all). RESULTS: : Lower limb peak torque decreased from TI (12.83+3.86 kg/f) to DT (10.78+ 3.66) (p < 0.01), and was increased after RT (17.37 + 4.35 kg/f) (p < 0.01), achieving higher values compared to TI (p <0.01). No effects of detraining were observed for both 6WT or TUG (P>0.05), however re-training increases the performance on 6WT (425.94+ 65.30 m) and TUG (6.84+1.50 sec) compared to the TI (6WT= 390.00+ 55.47 m; TUG= 9.71+ 1.91 sec; p <0.01, for all). CONCLUSIONS: Detraining decreases muscle strength, but does not affect functional capacity. Water-based re-training induces additional improvements on muscle low limb peak torque and functional capacity in elderly people previously engaged in water-based training.

Relationship of living arrangement with the decline in functional capacity in elderly people by gender: a longitudinal observational study

BackgroundThe living arrangement has been suggested as an important factor affecting health. Recent studies have also suggested that there was a risk among elderly persons who were not alone. This study examined whether the detailed living arrangement was associated with a future decline in functional capacity in the elderly, by gender, in a Japanese suburban city.MethodsA 3-year longitudinal questionnaire survey (baseline: 2011; follow-up: 2014) for aged 65 years or older was conducted in Kurihara city, Japan. Of the respondents in the baseline survey, we analyzed those who scored 13 points (a perfect score which indicates the highest functional capacity; n = 2627) on the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence at the baseline. The exposure was living arrangement at baseline, divided into five categories: “with spouse only,” “living alone,” “with child and his/her spouse,” “with child without his/her spouse,” and “with other family/person.” The outcome was the decline in functional capacity at the follow-up survey (score decreased to 10 points or less from 13 points).ResultsOf the 2627 analyzed population, 1199 (45.6%) were men. The incidence of the decline was 5.8% in men and 5.9% in women. Multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, educational attainment, and health behavior and condition revealed that in women, the odds ratio of the decline was higher in living with child and his/her spouse (2.41, 95% confidence interval; 1.10–5.28) referring to living with spouse only. When adjusting activities inside and outside the home such as housework additionally, the association was attenuated to marginal significance (2.25, 0.98–5.18). No statistical significance was observed in men.ConclusionsThese results suggested that living with child and spouse of a child was associated with the future decline in women’s functional capacity.

Muscle strength and functional capacity of elderly people engaged in two types of strength training

Abstract Introduction: Regular physical activity is one of the main ways of avoiding compromised functional capacity and gaining muscle mass. Objective: investigate the differences in muscle strength and functional capacity of elderly people engaged in two types of strength exercises. Method: a cross-sectional study of 80 seniors of both sexes, 40 of whom engaged in weight training and 40 from the Fitness Zone in the city of Maringá, Paraná, state. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the sitting-rising and elbow flexion tests, and the functional capacity tests of the Latin American Development Maturity Group (GDLAM) were applied. The data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney “U” and Spearman’s correlation tests (p&lt;0.05). Results: Most seniors who performed well in the sitting and rising test, rising from a chair and moving around the house and rising from the dorsal decubitus position engaged in weight training (p=0.001). Those engaged in weight training exhibited better upper limb strength and functional capacity in all the tests performed (p &lt;0.05). Muscle strength is inversely related to functional capacity, that is, the better the result in the upper and lower limb muscle strength tests, the better the functional capacity of the elderly engaged in weight training. Conclusion: According to the results obtained, older people who engage in weight training display better upper limb strength and functional capacity than seniors from the Fitness Zone.

Interleukin 10, lipid profile, vitamin D, selenium, metabolic syndrome, and serum antioxidant capacity in elderly people with and without cardiovascular disease: Amirkola health and ageing project cohort-based study.

BACKGROUNDThe age-related autoinflammation-mediated atherosclerosis is associated with some immunological, nutritional, and metabolic parameters and redox status. Here, we evaluated the association of circulatory interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels with lipid profile, some nutrients, and total anti-oxidant capacity in elderly people who presented cardiovascular disease (CVD) with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS) and in healthy subjects.METHODSIn this cross-sectional case-control study, 258 sera prepared from elderly people (144 healthy and 114 patient subjects) who participated in a community-based study, the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP), were analyzed for IL-10, lipid profile, vitamin D, selenium (Se), antioxidant capacity, and MetS.RESULTSCompared to patients, the healthy subjects exhibited higher levels of circulatory IL-10 among individuals with detectable serum IL-10 (P = 0.036). However, this difference was not observed when total subjects from both groups were compared, since more than 90% of those people were IL-10-negative. Se, vitamin D, and antioxidant levels were similar in both groups. There was a negative association between IL-10 and body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.050) and an equivocal association with vitamin D levels, whereas the association between IL-10 and other indicated variables was not significant. Significant association was observed between MetS and CVD prevalence (P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between Se and total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) (P < 0.010) in healthy subjects and with TC in patients (P < 0.050).CONCLUSIONA major proportion of elderly people were serum IL-10-negative, whereas independently to IL-10, MetS was most common in patients with CVD. Weight loss may have the potential to increase IL-10 levels in the elderly.

Improving access to quality services for vulnerable older people in Kyrgyzstan through engaging volunteers and establishing self-help groups

Very often older people are being excluded from community life and are therefore particularly prone to disorientation in a changing world. In this connection, a Model designed by the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan engages community volunteers to improve access to quality services for vulnerable older people. RCSK is supporting older people through creating new opportunities and better access to existing services for them while at the same time, fostering the capacity of elderly people to address and solve their problems. This requires that the target beneficiaries know where they can receive support and how to apply for it by demonstrating skills necessary to solve their problems and support other community members. Positive impact of this approach could be demonstrated in a project including 400 vulnerable older people supported by 200 community volunteers providing social and household support, according to the IFRC minimal standards of Community Based Home Care for Older people. 120 older people act as members of elderly clubs, 20% of the beneficiaries are participating in community initiatives. The people feel more confident to share their feelings and opinions. 100% of beneficiaries with low mobility requesting for support receive assistance with special equipment helping to stay socially active and as independent as possible. By the end of 2017, 1450 people were informed on services available for older people in their communities. 120 of them have moved from being “beneficiaries” to becoming “active community members” who are able to support others, develop and implement initiatives. Members of 5 elderly clubs volunteer to improve health literacy of communities through health promotion and disease prevention activities. Importance is given to a close collaboration with existing services in order to complement rather than duplicate activities. Social workers provided by the state are the key persons assisting to vulnerable older people. But due to time limitations (each social worker provides services up to 20 wards) and prioritizing the most urgent needs, the RC volunteers are working in pairs with them using participatory approach. Plans of service provision are designed jointly by a social worker and a coordinator. RC volunteers are helping to establish links between social care services and health institutions. Volunteers regular visits help to monitor persons’ health state. If changes are noticed, coordinator reveals the personal data, contacts the family doctor and assists with further observation and controls timeliness of procedures. In addition, Family doctors and nurses to design individual plans for older people integrating social, psychological and health related needs and particularities can be made available. Community volunteers are engaged in spreading the practices of healthy ageing, supporting self-management of older people in terms of monitoring of their state of health, building environment in the community and reducing the burden of already stretched public health system. Sustainability of the action is achieved by transferring the lead action to beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are empowered to retake the action through establishing self-help groups. This approach turns the beneficiaries into enthusiastic and energetic volunteers who are able to contribute to development of their community.

Age and sex related serum changes in nitric oxide and its correlation with plasma lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in healthy ageing individuals

Background: The free radical theory of aging postulates that aging results from the accumulation of deleterious effects caused by free radicals, and the ability of an organism to cope with cellular damage induced by ROS plays an important role in determining organismal lifespan. GSH and SOD functions by donating the proton and in scavenging the superoxide radicals, thereby protecting the body against oxidative stress by scavenging the free radicals produced in the body. Glutathione peroxidase also have similar function, it reduce lipid hydroperoxides to their corresponding alcohols and free hydrogen peroxide to water.Methods: Hundred healthy adults from staff and student community under the age group of 20 to 60 years were recruited. Approximately 5ml blood sample was collected and used for the analysis of lipid profile, MDA and antioxidant status using standard protocol.Results: The lipid profile, MDA and antioxidant status were measured and compared with that of serum nitric oxide levels of 100 healthy individuals of the age 20-60 yrs. Men aged 20-29 years showed significantly higher NO levels compared to corresponding women. There is a significant reduction in total antioxidant capacity in elderly people. With the decrease in NO there is increase in MDA is observed.Conclusions: There is a significant reduction in total antioxidant capacity in elderly people. This reduction in antioxidant capacity implies a defect in antioxidant system, may be due to a reduction in individual antioxidant or may be caused by a non-equilibrium or poor cooperation between them.

Efeito do treinamento de força na potência muscular de membros inferiores de idosos coronariopata

Introduo: A fora e a potncia muscular tm relao direta com a capacidade funcional de idosos. Objetivo: Verificar o efeito absoluto e relativo da potncia muscular de membros inferiores em idosos portadores de doena arterial coronariana. Mtodos: Dez homens sedentrios participaram de 24 sesses de treinamento de fora compostas por 2 sries de 6 a 8 repeties mximas e 1 minuto de intervalo. No incio, os exerccios foram: meio agachamento, step, flexo plantar. E aps: extenso e flexo dos joelhos, aduo e abduo do quadril sentado. A potncia muscular foi mensurada nos momentos: pr, aps 12 e 24 sesses. Resultados: Aps 24 sesses de treinamento de fora foram encontrados aumentos na potncia muscular absoluta (p 0.0001) e relativa (p0.0001; p0.0001) em relao condio pr-treinamento, respectivamente. Concluso: Vinte e quatro sesses de treinamento de fora parecem ser suficientes para aumentar a PM absoluta e relativa de idosos coronariopatas.

Prevalence of functional incapacity by gender in elderly people in Brazil: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract Considering that functional capacity is an important indicator of health in aging, the present study aimed to describe the prevalence of disability by gender among elderly people in Brazil through a systematic review and meta-analysis of articles about this subject. Articles published up to June 2013 were included, and a search was performed of the MEDLINE, SciELO, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct electronic databases. The inclusion of articles in the systematic review was guided by the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) and by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A descriptive analysis of the selected articles was performed and expressed in a forest-plot type graph. Of 3,656 articles initially identified in all the databases, 2,585 duplicates were excluded and 23 articles were deemed eligible for review. Prevalence rates ranged from 12.3% to 94.1% for men and from 14.9% to 84.6% for women. The methods used to assess functional capacity in elderly people in Brazil also differed between the articles. This variation complicates the comparison of results between the articles, demonstrating the need for standardized methods of measuring functional capacity.

Functional Capacity In Elderly People´s Day-To-Day Basic Activities

Objective: Assess the functional capacity in day-to-day basic activities of elderly people attended to in a Family Health Unit. Methodology: Current transversal study with 76 elderly people was undertaken between September and November 2014 in a Family Health Unit in the town of Nova Russas CE Brazil. The elderly people were interviewed and information on socio-demographic characteristics, health status and the performance of daily basic activities was collected. Data were described and analyzed with EpiInfo 7 and R v2.10.0. Results: The population studied was mostly composed of females (63.1%), aged between 70 and 79 years old (68.4%), widows or widowers (63.2%), with 3 - 4 dependent people at home (60.6%); 96% of the elderly people may be considered independent. Conclusion: Results show that most elderly people are independent in their daily basic activities.

Paid Work and Physical Activity Preserve Functional Capacity in Elderly People

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and association between functional disability and health conditions in elderly people. Method: A cross-sectional, population-based study with 1,705 elderly residents in urban region of Florianópolis, Brazil, from September 2009 to July 2010. The functional disability was classified according to the difficulty in accomplishing six basic activities of daily living. The crude and adjusted multinomial logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors. Results: The prevalence of mild functional disability was 38.9%, and it was positively associated with being female, older age, reporting four or more chronic diseases, overweight, and negative self-perception of health. High education and income, having paid work, and being physically active in leisure activities reduced the chance of presenting it. The prevalence of moderate/severe disability was 11.7% and positively associated with older age, presence of depressive symptoms, four or more chronic diseases, and negative self-perception of health. High education, paid work, and being physically active in leisure activities also reduced the chance of presenting moderate/severe disability. Conclusion: Being gainfully employed, having a high level of education, and being physically active in their leisure time reduced the chance of presenting disability. The negative self-perception of health was the factor that most increased the chance of presenting functional disability.

Chronic non-communicable diseases and the functional capacity of elderly people

Objetivo: Identificar a relação entre a presença das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e a capacidade funcional de idosos domiciliados. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo correlacional, de natureza quantitativa, onde foram avaliados 90 idosos cadastrados na Estratégia Saúde da Família, do município de Japi, RN. Resultados: Foi identificada uma alta frequência de doenças crônicas nos idosos, principalmente Hipertensão Arterial e Diabetes Mellitus (97,8% e 24,4%, respectivamente). Quanto às Atividades da Vida Diária, 16% dos idosos apresentaram dependência para pelo menos uma atividade, e em relação às Atividades Instrumentais da Vida Diária, 81% apresentaram alguma dependência para sua realização. Conclusão: Na realidade estudada, ser hipertenso ou ser hipertenso e diabético ao mesmo tempo, está relacionado à presença de dependência funcional no idoso.

Functional capacity and quality of life of elderly people with a history of stroke

Household Survey, a cross-sectional study aimed to describe the quality of life and functional capacity of elderly people with a history of stroke and compare the scores of quality of life with the number of functional disability. Data were collected at home, with the semi-structured instruments, WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-OLD. Descriptive analysis was performed, as well as ANOVA and Tukey-F test (p < 0.05). Most individuals are males (53.3%), aged 70 ├ 80 years old (45.6%), married (57.8%), 4 ├ 8 years of study (36.7%) and income of a minimum wage (66.7%). The activities of daily living most affected were: cutting toenails and walk up and down stairs. The highest scores of quality of life were: the social relationships and the facet death and dying. The lowest scores were related to the physical domain and autonomy. The highest number of functional disability was associated with lower scores for physical and psychological domains and on the facets of autonomy and social participation. The elderly people with stroke have their functional status impaired, which affects their quality of life in aspects related to mobility, body image, decision-making capacity and living in the community.

Associação do polimorfismo ApaI do gene IGF-2 com a força e a massa muscular em idosas brasileiras

Sarcopenia reduces functional capacity in elderly people. The candidate gene Insulin Growth Factor (IGF-2) has been suggested to influence on sarcopenia. This study aimed to investigate the association between the IGF-2 / ApaI polymorphism and the phenotypes muscle mass and strength. The study involved 252 subjects (66.94 ± 5.59 years), who underwent muscle strength measurements using an isokinetic dynamometer, and fat-free mass (FFM) assessment using DEXA. Volunteers also answered the IPAQ questionnaire to determine physical activity levels. Statistical procedures included ANOVA and ANCOVA to compare variables (p&lt; 0.05). No significant difference was detected between age, weight, height, BMI and body fat percentage in the three genotype groups. The analysis of covariance evidenced no significant difference between groups regarding the evaluated muscle-related phenotypes. Therefore, there was no significant association between IGF-2 / ApaI polymorphism with isokinetic muscle strength and FFM in this population.

Capacidade funcional e a gravidade do trauma em idosos

OBJETIVO: Correlacionar a capacidade funcional do idoso com a gravidade do trauma e compará-la nos momentos antes e após a ocorrência do trauma. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo e observacional realizado no Serviço de Emergência. Foram incluídos 55 idosos com idade a partir de 60 anos, ambos os sexos, vítimas de trauma. Foram avaliados a incapacidade de pacientes com restrições funcionais de origem variada. Os instrumentos de pesquisa aplicados em três momentos foram: a Medida de Independência Funcional e o Injury Severity Score para avaliar a gravidade do trauma. RESULTADOS: A capacidade funcional em até 48 horas foi significativamente maior que a capacidade funcional na alta e após um mês. Quanto menor a gravidade do trauma maior a capacidade funcional do idoso. CONCLUSÃO: Os idosos apresentaram piora da capacidade funcional durante o período de internação e após um mês de na alta hospitalar.

Functional capacity of elderly people attending the Family Health Program at Viveiros, Feira de Santana, Bahia

As people grow older, their functional losses become more and more evident. The elderly will progressively stop performing basic activities of life, thereby decreasing his/her functional capacity - measured in terms of his/her independence and ability to perform certain daily activities. Objective: To assess the functional capacity of elderly people attending the Family Health Program (“Programa Saúde da Família”) in the neighborhood of Viveiros, Feira de Santana, Bahia. Method: This study is a cross-sectional research with a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 34 male and female patients, aged 75. We conducted home visits to each of these elderly persons in order to apply three types of test: the Barthel Index, the Lawton Index and the Mini Mental State Examination. Results: The results show that 54.5% of these elders were found to be independent according to the Barthel Index, 51.5% were totally dependent according to the Lowton Index and 87.9% have some type of cognitive impairment according to the Mini Mental State Examination. Conclusion: Professionals working in the Family Health Program have to pay attention to the health status of the elderly, developing their care plan in accordance with the elderly’s actual needs. We hope that the interest of other researchers about the proposed topic will be raised, in order to increase the availability of research (currently scarce) in this area of knowledge, so that the elderly will receive more adequate attention and counseling, by expanding the range of services and programs available to them.

The relationship between physical, functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) among elderly people with a chronic disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical and functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) among elderly people who have a chronic disease. The study included 100 elderly individuals aged 65 years and older, who have a chronic disease. The study examined the marital and educational status, social security status, kind of chronic disease, number of chronic diseases and whether participants use assistive devices for walking. The Nottingham health profile (NHP) was used to evaluate QoL related to health; the physical mobility scale (PMS) was used to evaluate mobility in daily life and the functional independent measure (FIM) was used to evaluate functional independence in daily activities. In both female and male individuals, a statistically significant difference was found between the number of chronic diseases, kind of chronic disease, educational status, marital status, total FIM, PMS and NHP values (p<0.05). In males, there was a correlation between number of chronic illnesses and total NHP, FIM (p<0.05), but in females, there were no correlation between number of chronic illnesses and total NHP, FIM (p>0.05). There were no correlations between kind of chronic disease and PMS, NHP, FIM (p>0.05) in either of genders. It was found that there are differences among elderly female and male individuals with a chronic disease in terms of the number of chronic diseases, types of chronic disease, mobility level, functional status and QoL; and mobility level is related to functional capacity and QoL in females. It is thought that the rehabilitation programs to improve physical and functional capacity in elderly people and applications that increase participation in activities and reduce pain may improve QoL.

Autobiographical Recall Training in Elderly Adults with Subjective Memory Complaint: A Pilot Study

Subjective memory complaint is a self-reported memory impairment which affects elderly people. This problem does not interfere with daily living activities but could decrease quality of life. This study's purpose was to verify whether a specific, newly developed, autobiographical recall training could modify self-perception of memory of subjects with subjective memory complaint. Seven elderly subjects (4 women and 3 men; mean age 65.5 yr., SD=11) with such complaint, evidenced through a specific questionnaire, attended the training course and were prospectively assessed on standard neuropsychological tests, depressive symptomatology, and self-perception of memory. Self-perception of memory, as assessed by scores on a formalized questionnaire, improved significantly after the training, while depressive symptoms did not change. Neuropsychological performances were normal before and after the training, but a statistically significant improvement was observed only on the phonological fluency test. Thus the present pilot study suggested that the training may be effective in improving self-perception of memory and metamnestic capacity in elderly people with subjective memory complaints but not in changing subjects' depressive symptoms. This requires replication of this work with a much larger sample so statistical power is adequate.