Function In Elderly People Research Articles

Perspectives on Sarcopenia and Protein Intake in Aged and Diabetic Patients

Perspectives on Sarcopenia and Protein Intake in Aged and Diabetic Patients

An fMRI Investigation into the Effects of Ketogenic Medium-Chain Triglycerides on Cognitive Function in Elderly Adults: A Pilot Study.

Evidence suggests that oral intake of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which promote the production of ketone bodies, may improve cognitive functions in elderly people; however, the underlying brain mechanisms remain elusive. We tested the hypothesis that cognitive improvement accompanies physiological changes in the brain and reflects the use of ketone bodies as an extra energy source. To this end, by using functional magnetic resonance imaging, cerebral blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals were measured while 20 healthy elderly subjects (14 females and 6 males; mean age: 65.7 ± 3.9 years) were engaged in executive function tasks (N-back and Go-Nogo) after ingesting a single MCT meal (Ketonformula®) or placebo meal in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled design (UMIN000031539). Morphological characteristics of the brain were also examined in relation to the effects of an MCT meal. The MCT meal improved N-back task performance, and this was prominent in subjects who had reduced grey matter volume in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a region known to promote executive functions. When the participants were dichotomized into high/low level groups of global cognitive function at baseline, the high group showed improved N-back task performance, while the low group showed improved Go-Nogo task performance. This was accompanied by decreased BOLD signals in the DLPFC, indicative of the consumption of ketone bodies as an extra energy source.

Effects of low back pain on balance performance in elderly people: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundResearch suggests that individuals with low back pain (LBP) may have poorer motor control compared to their healthy counterparts. However, the sample population of almost 90% of related articles are young and middle-aged people. There is still a lack of a systematic review about the balance performance of elderly people with low back pain. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to understand the effects of LBP on balance performance in elderly people.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis included a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for full-text articles published before January 2020. We included the articles that 1) investigated the elderly people with LBP; 2) assessed balance performance with any quantifiable clinical assessment or measurement tool and during static or dynamic activity; 3) were original research. Two independent reviewers screened the relevant articles, and disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer.ResultsThirteen case-control studies comparing balance performance parameters between LBP and healthy subjects were included. The experimental group (LBP group) was associated with significantly larger area of centre of pressure movement (P < 0.001), higher velocity of centre of pressure sway in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively), longer path length in the anteroposterior direction (P < 0.001), slower walking speed (P = 0.05), and longer timed up and go test time (P = 0.004) than the control group.ConclusionThe results showed that balance performance was impaired in elderly people with LBP. We should pay more attention to the balance control of elderly people with LBP.

THE EFFECT OF VIRTUAL REALITY ON COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS IN LADIES WITH DEMENTIA: LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction: The decline in cognitive function that occurs in the elderly with dementia will have an impact on decreasing daily physical and social activities in the elderly resulting in decreased quality of life for the elderly. One of the interventions that can be used to maintain cognitive function in the elderly is by using virtual reality. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explain the effect of virtual reality on cognitive function in elderly people with dementia based on empirical studies in the last five years. Method: the process of searching for journals or articles using a database indexed by Scopus, ProQuest, and Science Direct using adequate keywords. The framework used for the review was PICOS and the inclusion criteria used were English-language journals with issues from 2015 to 2020. Data analysis and tabulation were carried out in articles or journals. Title, abstract, full text, and methodology are assessed to determine the eligibility of the article or journal. Results: 758's articles were identified, ten articles fit the research criteria. Virtual reality affects cognitive function where it can improve memory, attention, executive function and can increase the overall scale of the MoCA. The advantage over the use of virtual reality for the elderly with dementia is that it not only improves cognitive but also improves motor coordination, reduces behavioral and psychological symptoms, and can be used to detect cognitive impairments early. Conclusion: In carrying out cognitive rehabilitation programs in the elderly can use technology-based interventions by using virtual reality.

Influence of manganese exposure on cognitive function, plasma APP and Aβ levels in older men

BackgroundElevated manganese (Mn) exposure impairs cognition in adults and children, but the association between Mn and cognitive function in elderly people is unclear. Previous studies have linked Mn neurotoxicity in AD to Aβ-dependent mechanisms. However, the association between Mn and plasma APP and Aβ in the general elderly population remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association between Mn exposure and cognitive function, plasma APP and plasma Aβ in older adults. MethodsCognitive abilities in 375 men aged 60 and older in Guangxi, China were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and cognitive impairment were identified using education-stratified cut-off points of MMSE scores. Urinary Mn levels and plasma APP, and Aβ levels were measured using ICP-MS and ELISA, respectively. ResultsA total of 109 (29.07 %) older men were identified as having cognitive impairment. The median urinary Mn level was 0.22 μg/g creatinine. Urinary Mn levels were negatively correlated with MMSE scores (β = −1.35, 95 % CI: −2.65 to −0.06; p = 0.041). In addition, higher concentrations of urinary manganese were associated with a greater risk of cognitive impairment (OR = 2.03, 95 % CI: 1.14–3.59; comparing the highest and lowest manganese; p = 0.025). Moreover, plasma APP levels were inversely associated with urinary Mn levels (r = −0.123, p = 0.020), and positively associated with MMSE scores (r = 0.158, p = 0.002). Surprisingly, no correlations were observed between plasma Aβ42, Aβ40, Aβ40/Aβ42, or Aβ42/Aβ40 and urinary Mn levels and MMSE scores. ConclusionThese results suggested that Mn exposure is negatively associated with older men’s cognition and plasma APP levels, but not plasma Aβ levels.

Left-prefrontal alpha-dynamics predict executive working-memory functioning in elderly people

ABSTRACT Recent findings suggest that electroencephalography (EEG) oscillations in the theta and alpha frequency-bands reflect synchronized interregional neuronal activity and are considered to reflect cognitive-control, and executive working memory mechanisms in humans. Above the age of 50 years, hypothesized pronounced alterations in alpha and theta-band power at resting or across different WM-functioning brain states may well be due to pre-dementia cognitive impairments, or increasing severity of age-related neurological disorders. Executive working memory (EWM) functioning was assessed in older-adult participants (54 to 83 years old) by obtaining their WM-related EEG oscillations and WM performance scores. WM performance and WM brain-state EEG were recorded during online-WM periods as well as during specific online WM events within EWM periods, and during resting offline-WM periods that preceded online-WM periods. Left-prefrontal alpha-power was enhanced during offline-WM periods versus online-WM periods and was significantly related to WM accuracy. Left-prefrontal alpha power and left prefrontal-parietal theta power anterior-posterior difference-gradient during online WM activity were related to reaction times (RT’s). Importantly, during active-storage events, WM-offset offline-periods, and preparatory pre-retrieval events, excessive left-prefrontal alpha activity was related to poor EWM performance. The potential for developing targeted noninvasive cognition-enhancing interventions and developing clinical-monitoring EEG-based biomarkers of pathological cognitive-decline in elderly people is discussed.

Overcoming locomotive syndrome: The Yakumo Study

Objectives Improvement of life expectancy is increasingly important with the aging of society. The aim of the study was to compare physical performance in elderly people in two 3-year periods (2001–2003) and (2016–2018). Methods The participants were healthy Japanese elderly adults who attended public health check-ups in Yakumo. Results for 10 m gait time, two-step test, back muscle strength, and grip strength were examined prospectively for participants in 2001–2003 (Group A: n = 488) and 2016–2018 (Group B: n = 309) by gender and age (65–74 and 75–84 years). Results There were significant differences between Groups A and B for 10 m gait time (age 65–74: male: 5.6 vs. 5.2 s, female: 6.3 vs. 5.5 s; age 75–84: male: 6.1 vs. 5.5 s, female: 6.7 vs. 5.8 s; all p < .05) and two-step test (age 65–74: male: 1.41 vs. 1.48, female: 1.35 vs. 1.44; age 75–84: male: 1.32 vs. 1.41, female: 1.30 vs. 1.38; all p < .05), but not for back muscle strength or grip strength. Conclusion Our results suggest a phenomenon of ‘overcoming locomotive syndrome’, in which physical performance changed by aging, including motor functions such as 10 m gait time and two-step test, has improved in the current population compared with a similar population from 15 years ago.

DEMENTIA IN DR. SOETOMO GENERAL HOSPITAL SURABAYA: A SYNTHETIC REVIEW OF ITS CHARACTERISTICS

Background: Dementia is a clinical syndrome characterized by progressive loss of cognitive function in elderly people interferes the ability to function independently. The number of elderly patients increased so fast in worldwide. The prevalence of dementia rapidly increases due to increasing of population. Aging demographic transition is proceeding rapidly especially in China, India, and Latin America, where dementia is rapidly becoming the major public health problem. Demographic data of elderly patients of dementia in Indonesia is still a little. Dementia’s research data in Indonesia were only obtained from Bali and Yogyakarta, while data from Surabaya were not obtained. Our research data is taken from Dr. General Hospital Soetomo Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. This study is important for dementia epidemiological data and baseline data for further treatment of dementia patients in Surabaya. Objective: The purpose of this study to determine the characteristics profile of elderly patients with dementia in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. Methods: Sampling was done with purposive sampling by observing the medical records of patients in the period of January 2017 to December 2017 based on inclusion and exclusion criterias that have been set. The data was taken from the patient's medical record which had been written and examined by neurologists from the neurology department in the neurobehaviour sub-department of Dr. Soetomo Surabaya. Results: The majority of dementia patients are men (51,7%); the age group which is most at risk for dementia is between age of 75-79 years; most of the patients are jobless; more than half of patients are high school graduates; and Vascular Dementia (VaD) is the type of dementia that most people suferred Conclusion: This characteristic’s data of dementia can be used for providing information about dementia to make public health care provides a better facillities and treatment for elderly patients to prevent dementia burden.

Elbow plank exercise improves immunocyte function and physical fitness in an elderly male: a case study

Background: The elbow plank is a common exercise that can easily be done at home, but its effects on physical fitness and immunocyte function in elderly people are unknown. This prior study was conducted to analyze the changes in health-related physical fitness and immunocytes in an elderly male subject after performing elbow plank exercises. Methods: The participant was a 61-year-old man who had no experience in performing the elbow plank. Elbow plank exercises were performed for 30 min a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. The intensity of was checked daily with ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). His goal was to reach an RPE between 12 and 14, at which a 1 min rest was given before repeating the process with a progressively higher RPE every 10 min. Results: Compared with pre-values, (1) health related physical fitness factors increased after 4 weeks. (2) Body weight, skeletal muscle mass, and basal metabolic rate increased, whereas body fat mass and fat percentage decreased. (3) Certain variables of complete blood count showed positive changes, while others did not. Specifically, NK cells (CD56) and cytotoxicity were improved. Conclusions: This study confirmed that performing elbow plank exercises improved all factors of physical fitness and the immunocyte function in an elderly male. Therefore, 20.73 min (9.27 min of rest) of plank exercise is recommended for elderly men to prevent deterioration of physical fitness and immunocyte function while staying at home, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increase in masseter muscle activity by newly fabricated complete dentures improved brain function.

Purpose To reveal effects of improvement of masseter muscle activity on brain function in elderly people wearing complete dentures.Methods Subjects were 14 edentulous patients with a chief complaint of the inconvenience of their complete dentures. The surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of the masseter muscles was measured. Brain activities were analyzed with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), employing chewing gum as the task program. Cognitive functions were evaluated with Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) and Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (R-OCFT). Those evaluations were performed in which subjects wore their old dentures (OD) or newly fabricated dentures (ND).Results We compared ND condition with OD condition. The masseter muscle activity significantly increased in ND condition (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The brain activity increased significantly in the superior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, putamen, inferior parietal lobule, cerebellum, inferior frontal lobe, and middle frontal gyrus under the ND condition than under the OD condition (p < 0.01, uncorrected, cluster size > 10 voxels). Results of TMT-A, RAVLT, and R-OCFT were also significantly improved (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon signed rank test).Conclusions In the edentulous elderly, the brain activity was increased following the improvement of the masseter muscle activity. Consequently, it is possible that the improvement of the masseter muscle activity might influence on the attention, verbal skills, and visual memory.

Correlation of Depression with the Functional Profile of Elderly People Living in Homes for the Aged

Introduction: Due to the growth of the elderly population, there is a notable lack of preparation among family members and society to face the challenges of this new reality, resulting in an increasing demand for homes for the aged (HA). It is necessary to understand how the impairment of physical health, mental health and the level of depression can affect the functional capacity of the institutionalized elderly who live in homes for the aged. Objective: To describe the correlation between depression and functionality of elderly people who live in homes for the aged. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study with 70 elderly people of both sexes, aged 60 years or older, who live in HA in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Result: It was verified that the female gender was predominant in the HA consulted. The majority of elderly live in HA voluntarily 48.6% and that 41.43% did not complete elementary school. The majority of the elderly 81.43% had the ability to perform basic activities of daily living and the elderly 52.86% had normal psychological pictures. The worsening of the depressive picture is associated with the worse functioning of elderly who live in HA (p < 0.02). Conclusion: Depression is a factor that is associated with the functional capacity of the institutionalized elderly. The worse the functional level of the institutionalized elderly, the greater the chances of presenting a depressive state.

The Connections of Elderly Characters and Taiwanese Society in Edward Yang’s Movie “Yi Yi” (A One and a Two)

As an aging society, Taiwanese is facing the low birthrate and low death rate, and many policies and social systems are facing difficulties. According to the social atmosphere, young and senior groups have many conflicts in between. Finding an alternative approach to reveal the social value of aged people becomes an important mission. The Taiwanese’ movie “Yi-Yi”(A one and a two, 2000) is the final masterpiece of Director Edward Yang, and he won the best director in Festival de Cannes. The story is taken place in a traditional Taiwanese wedding party, and there is a grandma who was invited to this party before her pass out. The grandma did not weak up until the end of this story. The director Yang filmed this sick character in the story and he showed the family members were gathering around their grandma. This study adopts the narrative analysis on elders in “Yi Yi”. There are three findings. First, the elder character is speechless but her sickness drives family members coming home. Second, the long term care is a heavy duty for family, but it reflects the preparations of individual physically and emotionally. Third, the meaning of image of elders is not image itself but family solidarity and social connection. The narrative theory and gerontology build a perspective to understand the social values and narrative functions of elderly people in “Yi-Yi”. It shows the conflict between different age groups and enlarges the spectrum of understanding elders in both Taiwanese’ movie and Taiwanese society.

Effects of serum homocysteine, depression and instrumental daily living ability on cognitive function in elderly people at high altitudes

AbstractBackgroundTo explore the level Homocysteine (Hcy), depressive state and daily living ability on the decline of cognition ability in elderly under hypoxic environment.MethodBetween June 2017 and June 2019, 288 participants of elderly (mean aged 67.13 years) Han subjects living in Xining City (altitude 2,260 meters) of Qinghai Province were divided into three groups: 125 Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 20 Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 83 control. Serum HCY level was determined by BECKMAN COULTER biochemical analyzer. The cognition ability were used by Mini‐mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT),Digit Span Test)DST),Activities Daily Living (BADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Fund project: National Key R&amp;D Program of China (No : 2018YFC1315201).Result1. There was no significant difference in age, gender, educational level among the three groups. 2. Compared with controland MCI groups, Hcy of AD group was significantly increased (p&lt;0.05). GDS and IADL scores of AD group was significantly higher than MCI and control groups (p&lt;0.05,p&lt;0.01). 3. Compared with control group, BADL score of AD group was significantly increased (p&lt;0.01), while there was no significant difference the BADL score between control and MCI group (p&gt; 0.05). 4. The scores of DST, AVLT and MMSE in the forward and reverse direction, delayed memory, attention, calculation and working memory and visuospatial ability of HHcy group were significantly lower than those of normal Hcy group (p&lt;0.01, p&lt;0.05, p&lt;0.05). 5. MMSE score was negatively correlated with Hcy, IADL and GDS (r=‐0.324, ‐0.228,‐0.191;p&lt;0.01,p&lt;0.05). Logistic analysis showed that HCY was the risk factor of cognitive dysfunction (OR=1.005, 95% CI: 1.005‐1.109, p&lt;0.05).ConclusionThe decline of cognition ability in the elderly at high altitude is correlated with Hcy, IADL and GDS. HHcy is the major risk factor for cognitive dysfunction. Combined MMSE, GDS and IADL scale scores provide objective basis for the warning, prevention and control of early cognitive dysfunction in the elderly under hypoxic environment.

The Importance of Physical Activity in the Interaction of Motor and Cognitive Functions in Elderly People

Background. It is predicted that in 2060, the number of elderly people in Lithuania (62 and over years of age) will be 31.2% (Tamutienė &amp; Naujanienė, 2013). The maintenance of stable posture requires particular attention because it gets more difficult to sustain it while doing multiple moves at the same time when you are getting older (Woo, Davids, Liukkonen, Chow, &amp; Jaakkola, 2017). The aim of the study was to determine the importance of physical activity for the interplay of motor and cognitive functions in elderly people.&#x0D; Methods. Evaluation of static equilibrium by posturographic method, evaluation of cognitive functions, statistical analysis.&#x0D; Results. The results of the physically active and inactive research subjects were statistically significant (p = .043) in memory task with the eyes closed and in a simple position. A statistically significant difference in the sway velocity (Vsc) between the physical activity groups with eyes closed in simple position was also observed (p = .044). Double task with eyes closed resulted in worse balance performance.&#x0D; Conclusions. 1. Physical activity did not affect the motor function of the elderly. There were no differences between the physically active and inactive subjects in the assessed behavioral indices. 2. Physical activity did not affect the cognitive functions of the elderly. All elderly subjects were equally mistaken in their cognitive memory task. 3. The motor functions of the physically active elderly are controlled statistically significantly better when performing additional cognitive tasks than those of the physically inactive ones.&#x0D; Keywords: balance, elderly, physical activity.

Respiratory function and comfort levels in three different defecatory simulation postures in the elderly

Elderly people experience a heavy physical burden due to deteriorated respiratory function owing to prolonged sitting defecation posture due to constipation. In recent years, to reduce the physical burden of defecation, arm support handrails, which support the arms in a forward-leaning posture, have become more widely available; however, their impact on breathing comfort has not yet been verified. This study’s purpose was to compare the respiratory function of elderly people in traditional defecation postures and the arm-supported, forward-leaning position using the handrail, and thus verify whether the supported position has a positive effect. The trunk leaning angle, respiratory function, thoracic range of motion, and subjective comfort of 57 healthy elderly people were measured and compared in each of the three sitting defecation postures: upright, forward-leaning, and arm-supported forward-leaning. The arm-supported, forward-leaning position involves a trunk leaning angle of 61.84° ± 7.47°, and vital capacity of the respiratory function, thoracic range of motion (axillary region), and subjective comfort in this position are all shown to be significantly higher than those in the other postures. The arm-supported, forward-leaning defecation posture provides a high degree of freedom in the abdomen due to proper forward-leaning, while the upper limb support improves the mobility of the upper thorax, thus ensuring high lung volume. In addition, the increased stability provides a comfortable feeling. Therefore, we conclude that the arm-supported, forward-leaning position is more effective for defecation than the general defecation position.

The effect of whole body vibration by sonic waves on mood, the autonomic nervous system, and brain function in elderly

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of sonic wave vibration (SWV) on mood, the autonomic-nervous system, brain function and cognitive function in elderly people. We randomly assigned 24 late-stage elderly people (M 88.0±5.0 yrs) into a SWV group and a control group. The SWV group conducted 10 minutes of SWV per day, 5 days a week for 8 consecutive weeks. For evaluation purposes, we analyzed the moods with TDMS, heart rate variability (HRV), resting energy expenditure (REE), and brain activation during the Stroop test using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The stability level and pleasure level of mood increased significantly immediately after SWV. Simultaneously, the levels of the parasympathetic nervous system index of HRV significantly increased while the levels of the sympathetic nervous system index significantly decreased. REE also significantly increased. These results suggest that SWV has a relaxation effect as well as increasing the energy expenditure for elderly people. After intervention, Stroop B's execution time significantly decreased suggesting an improvement in the processing speed. The NIRS revealed that SWV may therefore activate the frontal lobe function. These results suggest that SWV may have a positive effect on mood, the autonomic nervous system, cognitive function and brain functions, and thus such treatment may be useful for elderly people.

Acupuncture for mild cognitive impairment in elderly people: Systematic review and meta-analyses.

Background:Acupuncture has an unique role in preventing and managing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in nonpharmaceutical therapies because of its small wound, mild pain, and high security for many years. However, there is no systematic review evaluating safety and efficacy of acupuncture for MCI in elderly people. Therefore, this study will provide a protocol to explore the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for MCI in the elderly.Methods:Retrieval from 8 electronic databases was conducted to determine eligible trials published until May, 2019. Homogeneity qualified studies were included for data were extracted such as study country location, demographic characteristics, and measure outcomes, and were analyzed by a random effect model and sensitivity analyses to identify heterogeneity. Review Manager (Revman Version 5.3) software will be used for data synthesis, sensitivity analysis, meta regression, subgroup analysis, and risk of bias assessment. A funnel plot will be developed to evaluate reporting bias.Results:A total of 15 randomized control trials involving 1051 subjects were included. The results were as follows: Compared with the control group, the clinical efficacy rates of acupuncture was better, odds ratio = 2.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.86, 3.42), P < .00001, mini-mental state examination scores (mean difference [MD] = 1.53, 95% CI [1.04, 2.01], P < .00001), Montreal cognitive assessment scores (MD = 2.05, 95% CI [1.17, 1.92], P < .00001), activity of daily living scale (MD = 1.71, 95% CI [–1.38, 4.79], P > .05), and clock drawing task scores (MD = 1.91, 95% CI [1.74, 2.08], P < .00001).Conclusion:This study shows that acupuncture is beneficial for improving aspects of cognitive function in elderly people with MCI, which suggests that acupuncture may be an effective alternative and complementary approach to existing therapies for elderly people. More rigorous experimental studies and longer follow-up studies should be conducted in the future.

Effects of Wu Qin xi Qigong exercise on physical functioning in elderly people with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.

Exercise therapy is a key intervention in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to test the 6-month effectiveness of Wu Qin Xi Qigong (WQXQ) exercise versus a conventional physical therapy (control group [CG]) on physical functioning in patients with early knee OA. This study was a 6-month follow-up from a randomized controlled trial. Participants with knee OA were randomly allocated to the WQXQ or CG. Data from the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, 30-Second Chair Stand Test, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, knee extension strength and knee flexion strength were collected before and after the 6-month intervention. Both treatment groups demonstrated large (20%-50%) and clinically relevant reductions in activity limitations, pain and knee instability, which were sustained at 6 months post-treatment. No differences in effectiveness between experimental and control treatment were found on Timed Up and Go Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, knee extension strength and knee flexion strength except for a higher Berg Balance Scale score (P = 0.029) and lower Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain score (P = 0.031) in the WQXQ group. Both WQXQ and conventional physical therapy exercise programs were highly effective in reducing activity limitations and pain, and promoting balance and muscle power. WQXQ was found to be more effective in promoting balance and reducing pain than conventional physical therapy exercise in patients with knee OA. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 899-903.

How do Rural Second Homes Affect Human Health and Well-being? Review of Potential Impacts.

Contact with nature is associated with numerous psychological, physiological and social health and well-being benefits. Outdoor recreation, such as rural second home tourism, provides extensive exposure to the natural environment, but research around health impacts of this exposure is scattered. We review current research on health and well-being impacts of nature and discuss how the characteristics of rural second home environments and their use and users can affect these potential impacts in Finland. We discover four key issues affecting the impacts. First, health and well-being impacts depend on the users; urban people can especially benefit from rural second homes, while child development and the performance of elderly people can also be supported by contact with nature at second homes. Second, the regularity, length and season of second home visits influence the potential to receive benefits as they have an impact on the intensity of nature exposure. Third, the type and quality of second home environment affect contact with nature, such as exposure to health-supporting environmental microbes. Fourth, practices, motives and meanings modify activities and attachment and crucially affect both physical and mental well-being. We conclude that rural second homes have extensive potential to provide nature-related health and well-being benefits and further research is needed.

Relationship between 30-second chair stand-up test and physical function in elderly people requiring long-term care attending daycare facility

Relationship between 30-second chair stand-up test and physical function in elderly people requiring long-term care attending daycare facility