Journal of Aging Research最新文献

Background: It is known that people who are socially isolated and lonely are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) than people who are neither socially isolated nor lonely. This work addresses the direct impact of socially isolation and loneliness on the brain. Aim: To review the neurobiological evidence on the relationships between social isolation, loneliness and AD pathogenesis. Method: Neurobiological literature in relation to social isolation, loneliness and how these factors impact risk of AD was reviewed. A new model providing a framework to describe the links between these pieces of evidence was created. Results: Social isolation contributes to AD pathogenesis via neuroinflammation and stress pathways. Loneliness is linked to AD risk mainly through its strong association with depression. Conclusion: Although social isolation and loneliness are typically linked together, they should be considered separately in the context of AD because, neurobiologically, social isolation is more closely linked to AD than loneliness is linked to AD. Implications: Clinicians should be cognisant that socially isolated people who are not lonely may be at higher risk for AD than people experiencing loneliness who are not socially isolated. Measures of depression are likely more appropriate for appraising AD risk than measures of loneliness.

Background: To investigate the association between community members' participation in Ageless Gym and their age, chronic disease history, lifestyle, and place of residence, and to analyze the related factors that influence their continuous participation in gym activities and physical fitness improvements. Methods: This study was a retrospective intergenerational study in which 1896 people aged 60 or older, who participated in the integrated community screening in Ershui Township, Changhua County, were analyzed, and the dependent variable was the participation in the Ageless Gym (445 people in total, 23.5%). The independent variables were the most recent screening questionnaire, including chronic disease history, health behaviors, age, and distance from the health center. Cox proportional risk regression modeling has been used as a multivariate variance analysis, and all statistical analyses have been conducted using SAS 9.4. Results: The hypotheses were partially supported: (1) People with a history of diabetes and osteoporosis were 1.62 times more likely to participate in ageless fitness than those without disease, respectively. (2) With regard to lifestyle, those who had regular health checks were 1.54 times more likely to participate in Ageless Gym than those who did not. (3) The probability of participating in ageless gyms is 0.69 and 0.42 times higher for people aged 70 to 79 and 80 than for people aged 60 to 69. (4) Elderly people living far from a health center were 0.67 times more likely to participate in Ageless Gym than those living nearby. (5) Comparison between those who are willing to participate and those who have consistently participated in the Ageless Gym revealed that factors that influence consistent participation include exercise habits, chronic diseases, and emphasis on healthy eating. (6) The fitness of people who regularly participate in the gym has improved considerably. Conclusions: This retrospective study provides insights for promoting exercise among the elderly, emphasizing the relationships between participation, age, health conditions, and proximity to health facilities.

Extensive research indicates that cognitive interventions can lead to a general improvement in cognitive functioning throughout the lifespan. In this study, we evaluate the causal evidence supporting this relationship in healthy older adults and older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by means of an umbrella meta-analysis of meta-analyses. The meta-analytic studies were identified through systematic searches in electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and were included in this umbrella meta-analysis if they examined the effects of cognitive interventions, not mixed with other approaches, in healthy older adults and individuals with MCI. Of the 9734 publications that were screened, 25 met the inclusion criteria and reported comprehensive data suitable for statistical analysis. Findings showed that although the effect-sizes across studies were variable, they were consistently positive, indicating a significant impact of different cognitive interventions on global cognitive functioning, memory, executive functions, visuospatial ability, and processing speed compared to control groups. This finding suggests that the efficacy of cognitive treatments is the best option for preclinical forms of aging, such as MCI. The underlying mechanisms of the observed improvements and their implications for further studies and clinical practice are discussed.

Background: The increasing prevalence of neurological conditions in older adults leads to impaired balance and mobility, heightening fall risk. This systematic review explores the effectiveness of Frenkel exercises in enhancing dynamic balance and motor function, underscoring the importance of fall prevention techniques supported by evidence. Methods: This systematic review adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, including studies published from 2020 to 2025. Researchers utilized various databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, APA PsycNet, Science Direct, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, to identify pertinent articles. Studies were selected based on inclusion criteria for individuals aged 65 years and above with neurological disorders. The primary outcomes assessed were dynamic balance and motor function, with secondary outcomes including fall risk. Results: Six studies, encompassing 198 participants, were included in this review. They demonstrated significant improvements in dynamic balance and motor function following Frenkel exercise interventions. Five studies reported enhanced balance, measured by the Berg Balance Scale and timed up and go test. Frenkel exercises also contributed to a reduced fall risk and improved mobility. Consistent with other studies, our results show that Frenkel exercises effectively boost self-confidence and physical function. Conclusion: Frenkel exercises improve dynamic balance and motor function while lowering fall risk in elderly individuals with neurological disorders. Its simplicity and low cost make it a practical option, but more long-term studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

This study offers the first in-depth analysis of the Village Movement since its launch in 2002, examining the socioeconomic and institutional factors behind the growth and sustainability of Villages, community-based organizations that support aging in place. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines survey data, case studies, interviews, field observations, and regression analysis. Findings show that Villages are grassroots' responses to the breakdown of traditional social networks in modern, urbanized societies. They help rebuild community ties, reduce isolation, and provide older adults with both services and a renewed sense of purpose. Key drivers of Village development include human capital, civic engagement, spatial proximity, and support from existing organizations. While strong local networks can sometimes reduce the need for Villages, communities with looser ties often have greater motivation to establish them. The study also challenges the perception that Villages are expensive or exclusive. Many operate with low or no membership fees, and alternative models, such as affiliated or hub-and-spoke Villages, allow for growth in lower income and minority communities. Government support, while not essential, can complement Village efforts, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the Village model proves adaptable and resilient, capable of filling service gaps while strengthening community cohesion. It offers a flexible, community-driven solution to the challenges of aging in a rapidly changing society.

Background: The percentage of the elderly population has increased worldwide. It has been estimated that environmental factors such as eating habits, sleep quality, and physical activity could be responsible for up to 75% of the aging process. Aims: To assess the nutritional status, diet quality, and sleep quality among the elderly in Jordanian. Methods: In a cross-sectional study targeting the Jordanian elderly, 426 participants agreed to participate. Sociodemographic data, anthropometric measures, mini nutritional assessment-short form (MNA-SF), the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and the Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS) were measured. Results: The mean and standard deviation were 10.7 ± 2.7 for the total MNA-SF score, 5.4 ± 1.8 for MEDAS, and 8.9 ± 4.2 for the global PSQI score. Most participants had normal nutrition status (43.9%) or were at risk of malnutrition (43.2%), 75.8% had poor sleeping quality, and 52.6% had poor MEDAS. There was a significant positive weak correlation between MNA-SF and MEDAS (r = 0.100, p=0.038) as well as the global PSQI score (r = 0.285, p < 0.001). On the other hand, there was a significant weak inverse association between MNA-SF and BMI (r = - 0.196, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The Jordanian elderly had poor MEDAS adherence and poor sleeping quality, and this was correlated to an increased risk of malnutrition.

Objectives: Music offers a promising nonpharmacological alternative for managing agitation in people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (ADRD). We report resident and nursing home (NH) characteristics associated with uptake of a personalized music intervention. Design: Post hoc analysis of a cluster-randomized embedded pragmatic clinical trial (ePCT) involving delivering resident-preferred music to manage agitated behaviors. Setting and Participants: A total of 463 residents with ADRD in 27 NHs randomized to receive the intervention. Methods: We obtained resident and NH characteristics from Minimum Data Set and Long-Term Care FocUS data. In addition, we created a study-specific engagement measure, which describes the proportion of enrolled residents in a given NH with any nursing staff use of the intervention. We used hierarchical models to estimate associations between resident and NH characteristics and (1) any exposure to the personalized music intervention and (2) minutes of music received per study day. Results: This post hoc analysis included 463 residents from 27 NHs (mean age: 80 years (standard deviation, SD: 12.2), 68.5% female, and 25.3% Black or African American). Resident characteristics associated with a greater likelihood of any exposure to the music included being Black or African American (p=0.02). NH characteristics were associated with greater likelihood of any exposure included higher quality star ratings (p=0.01) and nursing staff engagement with the intervention (p=0.01). Among those exposed to the music, younger residents (p=0.02), Black residents (p=0.03), and those with less health instability (p=0.03) received greater doses. Residents living in NHs with high nursing staff engagement also received higher doses (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions and Implications: Black race was associated with a greater probability of exposure and more use of a personalized music intervention, after controlling for NH quality. Nursing staff engagement with a personalized music intervention increased uptake. These findings are useful for future ePCTs of behavioral interventions in NHs. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03821844.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted multicomponent face-to-face interventions with older people, which became an opportunity for the implementation of these interventions in telehealth modality, as well as the analysis of the facilitators and barriers. This qualitative study examines the facilitators and barriers, from the users' perspective, of a promotional-preventive multicomponent intervention in older people using an asynchronous telehealth modality during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a continuation of the face-to-face intervention. Methods: Semistructured in-depth interviews were used. An intentional sampling was conducted over eight groups of older people in a city, who were part of a multicomponent (physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and education) telehealth (videos, infographics, manual, and WhatsApp) promotional-preventive intervention, who came from the same face-to-face intervention. After intervention, two groups were identified (intervention and control). Telephone interviews, until theoretical saturation was reached, were audio-recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti. Results: Twenty-six older people of both sexes, aged 60-88 years, were interviewed (14 intervened and 12 controls). Six themes were identified: positive aspects of telehealth, telehealth facilitators, preference for face-to-face modality over telehealth modality, telehealth barriers, reasons for not performing telehealth, and coping strategies in the pandemic: specifically, as facilitators, participating in the company of others, having participated in the same intervention previously (face-to-face modality), good knowledge of digital literacy, self-motivation, commitment to the program, and the emergence of innate leaders, and as barriers, pain during physical activity, complexity of cognitive exercises included in cognitive stimulation, poor digital literacy, and not having support from others. Conclusion: This is the first qualitative study that identifies facilitators and barriers of a multicomponent intervention in an asynchronous telehealth modality, as a continuation of the same face-to-face intervention. The asynchronous telehealth modality could be used regularly with older people in rural areas, in situations of disability and/or with care needs, pandemic scenarios, or natural disasters.

Background: The assessment of appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) is central to the diagnosis of sarcopenia (SA). We developed an anthropometric model for estimating ASM and tested its validity to identify SA and associated risk of disability (RSA) in older women. Methods: The equation was developed with 89 women (60-88 years, 72 ± 6 years), with a cross-validation sample of 12 women (60-84 years, 67 ± 5 years). Validity was determined through concordance between actual versus estimated ASMs, correlations between actual/estimated ASM versus peak torque (PT) and total work (TW) during isokinetic knee extension/flexion and handgrip strength, and agreement of patients classified with SA and RSA. Results: The predictive equation was ASM (kg) = 0.177 (body mass, kg)-0.075 (arm circumference, cm) + 0.020 (thigh circumference, cm) + 5.376 (R = 0.905; R ² = 0.819; R ²ad = 0.809; F = 86.96; p < 0.0001; SEE = 1.35 kg). Agreement between actual and estimated ASMs was confirmed by validation (ICC = 0.81; p < 0.0001) and cross-validation samples (ICC = 0.72, p < 0.035). Regression characteristics in PRESS statistics (R ² PRESS = 0.79; SEE-PRESS = 1.61) were compatible with the original model. Percent agreements for the classification of SA and RSA from indices calculated using actual/estimated ASM were 98% (gamma = 0.98, p = 0.015) and 68% (gamma = 0.89, p < 0.0001) in validation and 67% (gamma = 1.0, p = 0.032) and 70% (gamma = 0.84, p < 0.001) in cross-validation samples. Correlations between actual/estimated ASM versus PT (range 0.57-0.76, p < 0.05), TW (range 0.51-0.75, p < 0.05), and handgrip (range 0.67-0.74, p < 0.001) were theoretically consistent, being moderate and similar in both samples. Conclusion: This new anthropometric model has satisfactory prediction qualities and could be applied as a simple and practical method for estimating ASM in Brazilian older women.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a commonly occurring neurodegenerative disease in elderly and it is a leading cause of dementia worldwide. Hydroxychavicol (HC), a major phenolic component of Piper betle, has prominent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and studies have found its role in cognition improvement. Here is a systematic approach to deciphering the potential protein targets of HC in AD through network pharmacology and validation from molecular docking and dynamics simulation study. First, the druglikeliness of HC was predicted using the SwissADME analysis, which showed significant druglikeliness. A total of 88 possible target genes between HC and AD were obtained from the Swiss Target Prediction, HIT Version 2, DisGeNET, and GeneCards database. The pathway analysis was carried out using the STRING database which showed several genes including COMT, HSP90AA1, and GAPDH as the top hub genes on the basis of degree. GO and KEGG analyses demonstrated that the core targets were mainly involved in cAMP, PI3K/AkT, HIF1, Rap1, and Calcium signaling pathways. The molecular docking of HC with top hub genes resulted in the highest binding of HC with COMT (-8.9 kcal/mol), GAPDH (-6.7 kcal/mol), and HSP90AA1 (-6.5 kcal/mol) that showed stable binding in the molecular dynamics simulation study. COMT regulates the dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex and impairment of the COMT is associated with the rapid progression of AD. HSP90, a ubiquitous molecular chaperone, is involved in regulating tau metabolism and Aβ processing and found to be downregulated in AD. GAPDH has been reported as the disease-susceptible gene in AD and its interaction with amyloid precursor protein and NFTs has also been reported. These findings suggest that HC is a promising therapeutic candidate, targeting multiple AD-related pathways, warranting further investigation into its molecular mechanisms and potential for clinical application.