Quality Of Life In Elderly People Research Articles

Biological aging of two innate behaviors of Drosophila melanogaster: Escape climbing versus courtship learning and memory.

Motor and cognitive aging can severely affect life quality of elderly people and burden health care systems. In search for diagnostic behavioral biomarkers, it has been suggested that walking speed can predict forms of cognitive decline, but in humans, it remains challenging to separate the effects of biological aging and lifestyle. We examined a possible association of motor and cognitive decline in Drosophila, a genetic model organism of healthy aging. Long term courtship memory is present in young male flies but absent already during mid life (4-8 weeks). By contrast, courtship learning index and short term memory (STM) are surprisingly robust and remain stable through mid (4-8 weeks) and healthy late life (>8 weeks), until courtship performance collapses suddenly at ~4.5 days prior to death. By contrast, climbing speed declines gradually during late life (>8 weeks). The collapse of courtship performance and short term memory close to the end of life occur later and progress with a different time course than the gradual late life decline in climbing speed. Thus, during healthy aging in male Drosophila, climbing and courtship motor behaviors decline differentially. Moreover, cognitive and motor performances decline at different time courses. Differential behavioral decline during aging may indicate different underlying causes, or alternatively, a common cause but different thresholds for defects in different behaviors.

P211: Quality of Life and participation in society of elderly people with aphasia

Objective:Aphasia is a communication disorder associated with impairments in spoken language, understanding, reading and writing that impacts upon daily activities, participation in society and the quality of life (QoL), and it is common in elderly patients in the context of vascular diseases. We aimed to investigate participation in society and the environmental factors and health-related QoL of elderly people with aphasia.Methods:People with aphasia whose age was above 65 were included in this study. QoL was assessed by the Japanese version of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 (SAQOL-39) and Life stage Aphasia Quality Of Life scale-11 (LAQOL-11), and the participation in society and the environmental factors as barriers was assessed by the Japanese version of the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) and the Japanese version 2 of the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF), respectively. We explored predictors such as aphasia severity, communication impairment, cognitive functions, motor paralysis, activities of daily living (ADL).Results:We included 58 individuals (43 men; mean age 73.2 [SD 5.7] years) with aphasia after the mean 48 (SD 64.9) months of onset (of stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain tumor, traumatic brain injury). The median of the total score of SAQOL-39 and LAQOL-11 was 3.91 (Quartile Deviation 0.47) out of 5 and 85.0 (QD 12.5) out of 110. The QoL was not associated with aphasia severity assessed by the Standard Language Test of Aphasia (SLTA) which is the most frequently used comprehensive aphasia rating scale in Japan, but poor QoL was significantly associated (Spearman correlations) with increased severity of communication impairment assessed by Communication ADL Test (P = 0.01). Moreover, increased QoL was significantly associated with increased participation in society (P = 0.03) and decreased environmental factors (P = 0.01).Conclusion:Poor communication ADL may have a negative effect on QoL in elderly people with aphasia. Also, we show that QoL is associated with participation in society. For patients with aphasia after retirement, specific rehabilitation of communication ADL might be beneficial and should be explored in future studies.

The infl uence of general osteopathic treatment on the quality of life of elderly people

Introduction. Currently, there is a trend towards an increase in the number of elderly people all over the world. The increase in life expectancy is caused by medical and scientifi c progress and by the quality of the social security service. However disability, illness, weakening of family and social ties, decreased capacity in almost all areas, make the lives of elderly people bleak. Therefore, the search of new developments for improving the life quality of this people category remains actual. Osteopathic treatment can be one of the non-drug, sanogenic methods.The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of general osteopathic treatment in life quality of elderly people.Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Clinic of the Eurasian Institute of Osteopathic Medicine from January to May 2021. There were examined 30 people over the age of 60. The studied patients were divided into 2 groups of 15 people. The main group received general osteopathic treatment for 3 weeks with a frequency of once every 7 days. The control group received a complex of physical therapy for 3 weeks, for 30 minutes daily. All patients of both groups underwent an osteopathic examination before and after the study with the formation of an osteopathic conclusion, the life quality indicators were evaluated, and saturation was measured.Results. During the general osteopathic treatment in the elderly patients of the main group, there was detected a decrease in the number of regional and local somatic dysfunctions. Reliably signifi cant changes were found in the life quality indicators according to the SF-36 questionnaire, as well as in the saturation of arterial blood hemoglobin by oxygen (according to the results of pulse oximetry). Among patients of the control group, there were detected signifi cantly less signifi cant changes in these indicators.Conclusion. General osteopathic treatment can improve individual indicators of the life quality of elderly people, reduce the number of somatic dysfunctions, and increase blood oxygenation.

Qualidade de vida em idosos com diabetes mellitus e hipertensão arterial sistêmica

Abstract Background: Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are grievances that are sensitive to the measures of promotion and prevention; however, they interfere with the quality of life (QL). Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the QL in elderly people with SAH and DM and compare their impact on the QL of these groups. Method: It was used as a methodology a sectional, domiciliary-based study in which the data were collected using a questionnaire with sociodemographic information, clinical and QL, through the WhoQol-Bref and analyzed in the SPSS software. Results: A total of 498 elderly people were evaluated, of whom 9.64% had DM, 53.21% had SAH, and 37.15% had both diseases. The majority were women (66.9%), from 60 to 69 years old (49.4%), mixed race (61.6%), from 9 to 11 years of study (53%), family budget under two minimum wages (48.6%), married (52.8%), and using five or more medications (18.9%). There was a difference among the groups (SAH, QL, or both) in the physical domain (p=0.003) and in the social relationships (p=0.017). In the physical domain, the post hoc tests showed better QL in SAH groups compared to the others. Conclusions: The patients with SAH showed better general QL. The psychological domain was the least affected and the environment domain was the most affected.

The Relation between Using Inappropriate Medications and Quality of Life Among the Elderly Living in Kerman

Background: Disability induced by severe diseases reduces life quality among elders, and leads to increased use of medications and increase in drug misuse. This study was done to determine the relation between the number of inappropriate medications used and life quality of elderly people living in Kerman during 2014. Methods: This descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 elderly people in Kerman, Iran. The participants were selected by simple random sampling. The elderly health assessment questionnaire and Beers Criteria were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 16) and running χ2 test, Fischer’s exact test, and logistic regression. The model fitness was evaluated by the Hosmer and Lemeshow test. Results: The risk of low life quality in elders using 3 to 4 inappropriate medications was 9.98 times more than elders using no unauthorized medication. The most frequent inappropriate medications were aspirin and alprazolam. A significant relation was observed between low life quality and number of inappropriate medications used by elders; that is, taking a higher number of inappropriate medications was associated with lower life quality. Conclusion: Many elderly people use inappropriate medications, which can have a serious adverse impact on their quality of life.

Effects of Reminiscence Therapy on Cognition, Depression and Quality of Life in Elderly People with Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) present with cognitive function deterioration, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS)—especially depression—and low quality of life (QoL). Management of AD remains difficult, especially in the elderly. Reminiscence therapy (RT) is a well-known cognitive rehabilitation intervention that can be adopted in nursing and residential care homes to restore autobiographical memory, ameliorate NPS, and improve the QoL of people with dementia. However, the evidence-based efficacy of RT for elderly patients with AD remains to be determined. Methods: Here, we synthesized findings of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring the effects of RT on cognition, depression, and QoL in elderly people with AD, according to the most recent PRISMA statement. We searched for RCTs in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and in trial registries (i.e., clinicaltrials.gov and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform of the World Health Organization). Two review authors extracted data of interest, with cognition, depression, and QoL measures as outcomes. Results: A total of five articles were included in the final analysis. Findings globally showed that RT, both administered in individual or group sessions at least once a week for 30–35 min over a period of 12 weeks, is effective in supporting global cognition, ameliorating depression, and improving specific aspects of the QoL in elderly people with AD. Conclusions: RT has the potential to be a routine non-pharmacological therapy for elderly people with AD, thanks to its wider effects on the individual in terms of cognitive vitality and emotional status promotion, with positive implications for patient’s daily life. Despite such evidences, caution should be used in findings’ generalizability in relation to the paucity of existing RCTs with long-term follow-up.

EFFECTS OF SEXUALITY ON COMMON MENTAL DISORDERS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN ELDERLY PEOPLE

Objective: to analyze the effects of sexuality on common mental disorders and quality of life in elderly people. Method: cross-sectional study conducted with 721 elderly people from all regions of Brazil who answered four instruments: bio-sociodemographic, EVASI, SRQ-20 and WHOQOL-Old between July and October 2020. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Structural Equation Modeling tests adopting a 95% confidence interval. Results: sexuality exerted a strong, positive effect on quality of life (SC=0.778 [95%CI=0.680-0.862] p<0.001), while on common mental disorders, the effect was strong and negative (SC=-0.481 [95%CI=-0.540 - -0.421] p<0.001). Conclusion: because a strong effect on the variables was identified, the clinical relevance of sexuality being worked on more frequently in health services was verified. Thus, society benefits with the insertion of a little explored theme and with the weakening of existing prejudices, including among the elderly themselves.

Quality of life vs. old people’s functioning at the time of the covid-19 pandemic

Introduction: The whole world is dealing with the consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which affected mostly elderly people. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it practically impossible for elderly people to function independently. Taking into consideration the elderly population and its prognosis, the evaluation of the elderly people’s quality of life is more and more important. Both doctors and people involved in medicare claim that there is a need for investigating elderly people’s life quality because the health problems which decide about this quality make effective treatment more difficult. Aim of the study: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the quality of life and functionality as far as doing daily chores by elderly people is concerned and the factors which decide about it at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: The research was done with a group of 1008 people (705 women, 302 men) at the age of 60–97 (approximately 71.0 ± 8.1). The questionnaire which was used was created by the people who carried out the survey and the Polish scale WHOQOL-AGE was used to evaluate the quality of life. Independent functioning in a group was evaluated by means of the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL). Results: The approximate result of evaluating the quality of life using the WHOQOL-AGE scale was 67.20 ± 15.61. Social and demographic factors which decide about the quality of life in a statistically significant way are: age (p < 0,000), education (p < 0,000), place of living (p < 0,029), marital status (p < 0,000), economic situation (p < 0,000), the status of living (p < 0,019), status of dexterity (p < 0,000) and professional status before retirement (p < 0,018). Conclusion: There is a need for many activities to improve the life quality of elderly people in every aspect of life. Those activities should take into consideration the life situation, functioning status, and elderly people’s expectations. Actions taken with the aim of improving elderly people’s life quality should involve interdisciplinary monitoring of health as well as promotion of physical activity, which will improve elderly people’s ability to perform complex daily activities (IADL).

Serious Games as an Integrated Care tool to support elderly people quality of Life

ContextIt is well known that each year the amount of elderly people is increasing and the life expectancy is longer in EU countries. So, obviously, it is important to include new tools in the socio-sanitary system to maintain and improve the life of quality of this target group.ObjectiveThe objective of this practice is to give alternative solutions though the technology. It has been developed a tool composed by package of video games to promote the physical activity, cognitive exercise and proper nutrition, taking into account from the beginning the preferences and specific necessities of the +65 years old people have been considered.DescriptionThe tool consists in a package of Android video games developed for tablet devices, and a centralized database that stores as much as data is possible from the games. These are the descriptions of the serious games:- SG centred in mental health: a word matching video game with different difficulty levels. This video game serves as a tool to measure the mental speed of the users and helps to train and improve it.- SG centred in appropriate nutrition: AR video game in which the user must select the healthier food from a set of 3 on each round. If the selection is correct the user will be rewarded with a point.- SG centred in exercise: consists in a video game that promotes the physical exercise motivating the user to walk using rewards. The user is ubicated in a real map using the user’s real ubication, so some points must be reached. Using the rewarding method in combination with AR creates a powerful tool that motivates the user to do physical exercise and not stay in her/his house.End usersThe package can be used by the final users by themselves, or in cooperation with the caregivers and nursing homes, depending on the independency level of the older people. Up to now the tests were been made in Spain with people (+65) without mental diseases. In the nearfuture, the tool will be tested with 120 people in 3 different EU countries.SustainabilityFrom the technological point of view, Android technology is used, so, the updating and maintenance of the project is quite easy. From a general sustainability point of view, the project is supposed to last without an ending date, as the necessity that this project is helping to fulfil will be always exist in our society, probably growing each year. The scale up of the project is quite easy, but probably some adaptations will be needed considering the cultural context.Learned lessonsThere is not a technological gap involving the tablet, the learning time is minimum, and the satisfaction got from the users is very high in general.Additional informationThese serious games are included as part of DAPAS AAL project (https://dapas-project.eu).

Pelatihan Deteksi Dini Stroke “Metode Fast” Pada Lansia di Nagari Jawi- Jawi Kabupaten Solok Sumatera Barat

Stroke is a degenerative disease that often occurs on elderly people. Stroke causes the life quality of elderly people becomes low, in which they will face dependence in various life activities. Fatal and permanent effects due to stroke can be avoided if the patient gets medical services quickly and precisely in 3-5 hours. Usually, this golden period makes stroke quickly overcome and the prognosis is better. FAST is one of stroke early detection methods which is easy to teach and understand for elderly people. FAST stands for Face, Arm, Speech, and Timing. Based on the training and education results, the participants received appreciation from various parties, especially the elderly people in Nagari Jawi-Jawi, Solok Regency, the cadres of the Integrated Services Post, and families with elderlies. Most of the trainees were elderly women aged 61-75 years. The follow-up is a program evaluation that would be carried out by the team of Students Creativity Program in coordination with the local Regional Government to be continued by the cadres of the Integrated Service Post for all the elderly people in Nagari Jawi-Jawi, Solok Regency, and it is also expected that all participants can socialize to their families and surrounding environment about this FAST method.

The impact of computer-based cognitive training intervention on the quality of life among elderly people: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundThrough the process of normal aging, cognitive decline would cause a lower level of functioning in real life. This flow might interfere with health-related quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of computer-based cognitive intervention on increasing QoL of elderly people.MethodsA total number of 52 community-dwelling older adults participated in this study. This community scored ≥ 21 in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a clock drawing test score ≥ 4 from health centers in Tehran, Iran. This study is a parallel group stratified randomized clinical trial. The intervention group received a 45-min cognitive training session twice a week for 10 sessions, using Attentive Rehabilitation of Attention and Memory (ARAM) software focusing on selective attention and working memory. QoL was evaluated as a primary outcome. The control group participated in educational workshops.ResultsFrom fifty-two persons, only one participant was excluded from the study in the intervention group during follow-up. Results revealed by increasing cognitive function, improvement occurred in QoL (F = 13.417, p value < 0.001, partial eta-squared = 0.324) as a primary outcome in the intervention group. Among eight domains of QoL, there was significant increasing in domain of role limitations due to emotional problems (F = 4.007, p value = 0.021, partial eta-squared = 0.059), social functioning (F = 2.423, p value = 0.044, partial eta-squared = 0.004), and role limitations due to physical health (F = 10.749, p value < 0.001, partial eta-squared = 0.026).ConclusionsBased on the results, ARAM showed transition and long-term effects on QoL in elderly people by improving cognitive functions such as selective attention and working memory.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT2016122731602N1. Registered on June 21, 2017

Chinese herbal medicine for vascular cognitive impairment in cerebral small vessel disease: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background:Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is the most common etiology of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). VCI in CSVD (CSVD-VCI) shows a progressive course with multiple stages and is also associated with dysfunctions such as gait, emotional and behavioral, and urinary disturbances, which seriously affect the life quality of elderly people. In mainland China, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is clinically used for CSVD-VCI and presenting positive efficacy, but the evidence revealed in relevant clinical trials has not been systematically evaluated. The purpose of this study is to assess the current evidence available for the clinical efficacy and safety of CHM for CSVD-VCI.Methods:A literature search of published RCTs up to April 30, 2020, has been conducted in the following 7 electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Journals Database (VIP), Wanfang Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed). For unpublished studies, 2 clinical trial online registration websites will be searched: ClinicalTrials.gov and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR). Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using CHM in the treatment of patients with CSVD-VCI, which compares CHM with no treatment, placebo, or other conventional treatments, will be included in this systematic review. Primary outcomes will be set as acknowledged scales measuring cognitive function. Secondary outcomes will involve activities of daily living, behavioral, and psychological symptoms, global performance of dementia, neurological function, biological markers of endothelial dysfunction, the clinical effective rate, and adverse events. After screening studies and extracting data, the Cochrane Collaborations tool for assessing risk of bias will be applied to assess the methodological quality of included RCTs. Review Manager Version 5.3 software will be used for data synthesis and statistical analysis. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and meta-regression will be conducted to detect potential sources of heterogeneity. The funnel plot and Eggers test will be developed to evaluate publication bias, if available. We will perform the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to appraise the quality of evidence.Results:Evidence exhibited in this systematic review will provide practical references in the field of CHM treating CSVD-VCI. Moreover, our detailed appraisals of methodological deficiencies of relevant RCTs will offer helpful advice for researchers who are designing trials of CHMs in the treatment of CSVD-VCI.Conclusion:The conclusion about the clinical efficacy and safety of CHM for CSVD-VCI will be provided for clinical plans, decisions, and policy developments in the full version of this systematic review.Systematic review registration:INPLASY202080120.

The Influence of Latin Dance Classes on the Improvement of Life Quality of Elderly People in Europe

The aim of this paper addresses the problem of the quality of life of elderly people by presenting the energy of Latinos that arouses optimism in European citizens and provides them with joy through Latin dances on a regular basis. The research covered 163 people in the old, so-called third, age, from the European countries with the highest aging rate, namely: Italy, Germany, Greece and Poland. Results shows that physical activity in the form of Latin American dances has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body. Not only does it allow for maintaining physical fitness and inhibiting the development of many ailments and diseases, but also stimulates the brain to constant activity, which results in improvement of the ability to make associations, concentration and, above all, memory. It is also a way to fill the gap that arises as a consequence of the completion of certain life stages. Through making new social contacts, it is possible to forget about loneliness, stagnation and the monotony of everyday life. However, above all, Latin dance is a source of satisfaction, joy and happiness, i.e., determinants of the quality of life.

Determinants of the Quality of Life Among Elderly: Comparison Between China and India

The article attempts to understand the role of various determinants of quality of life (QoL) in two different demographic and cultural contexts—India and China. Along with appropriate model identification, the study discusses the role of influential factors of the QoL of elderly individuals of the demographic giants. Findings confirm the multifactorial nature of QoL and suggest that all of the determinants do not identically influence QoL at different levels. It has been found that socio-economic factors have a stronger influence on QoL, in both the countries, than the physiological indicators. Perception regarding QoL of elderly people, in two cultural contexts, does not deviate substantially, except for gender, lower level of education, observed health measures and formal social cohesion. The analysis suggests important policy implications.

HUBUNGAN PERAN SERTA KADER POSYANDU DENGAN PERAWATAN HIPERTENSI PADA LANJUT USIA (LANSIA) DI DESA SALAMREJO SENTOLO KULON PROGO

Background: One of the most prevalent cardiovascular problems in elderly people is hypertension.Health cadres are those who voluntarily dedicate their time to have concern about elderly people’s health status in the community. Health cadres’ roles are important to promote elderly people quality of life, including their hypertension management.&#x0D; Objectives: This research aimed to analyzethe correlation between the role of health cadres of elderly posyandu and the treatment of hypertension at Salamrejo Village Sentolo Kulon Progo.&#x0D; Methods: This research was a correlational study with a cross sectional approach. The sample of this study was selectedwith a total sampling technique, drawn 57 hypertension patients. Data were analyzedwith Spearman rank correlation.&#x0D; Results:The result showed that coefficient correlation value of Spearman’s rho (r) between the role of cadres of elderly posyandu and the treatment of hypertension patients was 0.294 and p-value was 0.026 (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion:It can be concluded that there was a positive and significant correlation between the role of cadres of elderly posyandu and the treatment of hypertension.&#x0D; Key word: Cadres, elderly posyandu, hypertension

Developing structural facilities management–quality of life models for the elderly in the common areas of public and subsidized housings

Aging populations are becoming an universal problem. A huge number of elderly people have been accommodated in public and subsidized (P&S) housings across the world. To accomplish various daily life activities, the elderly often need to rely on diverse facilities and facilities management (FM) in their living environment, which normally consists of indoor (i.e., individual unit flats) and common areas (e.g., lifts and lobbies). However, it still largely remains unknown how the FM of the common areas of P&S housings affects the quality of life (QoL) of the elderly. Hence, this study aimed to develop an integrated FM–QoL model for the elderly in regard to common areas of P&S housings.A questionnaire survey was administered among 365 elderly people and the collected data were subjected to a series of statistical analyses, including a reliability test, multiple regression analysis, and structural equation model. The integrated model was developed based on the congruence of the results of all statistical analyses. It shows that: 1) distance in the common areas positively affected the physical and social QoL of elderly people in P&S housings and sufficient space led to improvements in physical, psychological, and environmental QoL; 2) for building services factors, appropriate ventilation improved the social QoL of the elderly, satisfaction with lifts positively predicted the psychological and environmental QoL of the elderly, and proper security in common areas promoted better psychological and social QoL in the elderly; 3) only hygiene, as supporting facilities factor in the common areas of P&S housings, positively predicted the environmental QoL. Practical recommendations were made based on these results, including the allocation of common areas in the center of and the avoidance of long corridors in P&S housings. The current study established an integrated FM–QoL model for elderly people in the common areas of P&S housings, which can be used by policy makers, designers/facilities managers, and academics to holistically improve FM for better QoL for elderly people.

Peningkatan Kualitas Hidup Lansia Dengan Husnul Khatimah Care (Hukho Care)

The elderly people’s lifetime requires attentions, especially those related to the health in order that healthy and joyful lifestyle could be achieved. Healthy and joyful life quality for elderly people is expected to bring improvement towards life expectancy. Therefore, effort in improving the life quality of elderly people needs to be taken into account. The implementation of community service program, particularly the one addressed to the elderly people aims to: 1) perform the selection of cognitive function and elderly people’s mood situation; and 2) follow up the selection results. The implementation method was conducted step-by-step, which was through the selection of cognitive function and elderly people’s mood situation using Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT), whereas Workshop Husnul Khatimah Care (Hukho Care) was implemented for the selection results follow-up. AMT was used to measure the psychological condition and memory disorders; it was implemented through interview given to each of the elderly people. The Workshop Hukho Care was conducted through education as well as small and big group discussion. The result shows that 9% of the elderly people suffer from depression, 19% unstable, and 27% suffer from moderate memory disorder. Those who suffer from depression, psychologically unstable, and moderate memory disorders are entirely female. Female elderly people who are depressed, psychologically unstable and having moderate memory disorder shall require supports and attention from family, Puskesmas (Pusat Kesehatan Masyarakat/Public Health Center), and local health department.

The Effect of Laughter Yoga on the Quality of Life of Elderly Nursing Home Residents

Background: Old age is associated with the physical and psychological problems that affect the Quality of Life (QoL). Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Laughter Therapy (LT) on the QoL of elderly people in nursing homes. Materials &amp; Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with‌ pre-test and post-test with the control and experimental group and one-month follow-up conducted in 2017. The statistical population consisted of 44 elderly people in the Mehr Aein nursing home in Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh City, Iran. Based on the inclusion criteria, 32 old people were selected and randomly assigned to experimental ‌(n=16) and control (n=16) groups. The experimental group received an interventional program consisting of Madan Kataria Laughter Therapy, showing comic films, and reading comic books for one month, over 12 sessions of 100 minutes. After the end of laughter intervention, the elderly of both groups responded to the elderly quality of life questionnaire (LIPAD). The obtained data were analyzed using covariance analysis of repeated measures. Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups with regard to their QoL‌ (P&lt;0.01).‌ That is, the adjusted mean of the experimental group in the QoL was significantly higher than the mean of the control group‌ (P&lt;0.01). Also, in the experimental group, the mean follow-up score was higher than the mean score of the pre-test, which indicates the stability of the intervention effects after one month‌ (P&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Laughter Therapy intervention has a positive effect on improving the QoL of the elderly. Therefore, it is necessary that authorities consider this program at nursing home centers as a complementary method besides the existing treatments for reducing the mental health problems and improving the QoL of the elderly.

Effect of a home-based exercise program on functional mobility and quality of life in elderly people: protocol of a single-blind, randomized controlled trial

BackgroundElderly people have high rates of functional decline, which compromises independence, self-confidence, and quality of life (QoL). Physical exercise leads to significant improvements in strength, balance, functional mobility, and QoL, but there is still reduced access to this therapeutic strategy due to difficulties in locomotion to training centers or lack of adaptation to the exercise environment.Methods/designThe purpose of this clinical trial will be to verify the effect of a progressive and semi-supervised, home-based exercise program on the functional mobility, and in the QoL of sedentary elderly people. This is a protocol of a consecutive, single-center, single-blind, and randomized controlled trial. The design, conduct, and report follows the SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) guidelines. Sedentary elderly people will be enrolled, and randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention group will perform exercises in their own home and the control group will not perform exercises. The evaluations will occur at study enrollment and after 3 months of intervention, and will be performed using the functional mobility Timed Up & Go (TUG) test and sociodemographic and QoL questionnaires. In the statistical analysis, comparisons of mean and correlation analyses will be performed. The primary expected outcome is the improvement in functional mobility verified through the TUG test and the secondary outcome is the improvement in QoL verified by the WHOQOL-OLD.DiscussionThe lack of scientific evidence demonstrating the benefits of semi-supervised home exercise on functional mobility and QoL in elderly people represents an obstacle to the development of guidelines for clinical practice and for policy-makers. The World Health Organization highlighted the importance of musculoskeletal health programs for elderly people, and the exercise program described in this protocol was designed to be viable, easy to implement, and inexpensive, and could be performed at the home of elderly subjects after receiving only guidelines and follow-up via periodic visits. Based on these facts, we hope that this study will demonstrate that a well-structured, home-based exercise program can be effective in improving functional mobility and QoL of sedentary elderly people, even without constant supervision during exercise.Trial registrationRegistro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC), Identifier: RBR-3cqzfy. Registered on 2 December 2016.

ANÁLISE DOS BENEFÍCIOS DA DANÇA PARA A QUALIDADE DE VIDA DE IDOSOS MORADORES DE UMA INSTITUIÇÃO DE LONGA PERMANÊNCIA

The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of a dance program on the quality of life of elderly people living in a long-stay institution located in the interior of the State of São Paulo. This is an action research. Nine elderly, aged between 63 and 93 years, of both sexes, participated in the study. The Quality of Life Questionnaire - SF-36 was applied. Subsequently, the interventions were initiated, through the dance (zumba) from the rhythms: Salsa, Cumbia, Merengue, Reggaeton, twice a week. After two months of intervention, the questionnaire was reapplied. The data were analyzed from the parameters for quality of life classification in which zero corresponds to a poor rating and 100 to an excellent rating. There was an improvement in general health and social aspects. It is concluded that a dance program can contribute to the improvement in the quality of life of elderly people living in a long-term institution.