Experimental gerontology最新文献

Background: The increasing elderly population is a complex and globally significant phenomenon impacting various sectors of society, including healthcare. By 2050, it is projected that one-fourth of Iran's population will be elderly. Falls are a major concern among the elderly, leading to physical and psychological injuries and imposing significant financial burdens on healthcare and social systems. Given the widespread acceptance of smartphones and mobile health applications, however limited research has been conducted on the effectiveness of mobile applications in training caregivers for home safety and accident prevention in elderly populations.

Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2022 in Mashhad, Iran. The sample consisted of 66 elderly caregivers, randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire and the Home Safety Self-Assessment Tool (HSSAT). The intervention group used a home safety educational application, while the control group received educational brochures. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and appropriate statistical tests.

Results: Sixty-two elderly caregivers participated in the study, with a mean age of 72 ± 37.7 years. The chi-square test showed no significant difference in gender distribution between the intervention and control groups (p = 0.060). The majority of participants in both groups had a high school education. Before the training, there was no significant difference in the mean accident risk management scores between the two groups (p = 0.713). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant time effect (F(1, 60) = 408, p < 0.001, Partial η² = 0.872) and a significant group effect (F(1, 60) = 5, p = 0.025, Partial η² = 0.081). Additionally, the interaction between time and group was significant (F(1, 60) = 6, p = 0.015, Partial η² = 0.095), indicating a greater improvement in accident risk management scores in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Conclusions: The use of home safety educational applications can effectively reduce the risk of accidents and improve preventive measures management among the elderly. These modern educational tools can alleviate the burden on healthcare systems and save costs associated with in-person training. Future research should continue exploring innovative educational methods to enhance the safety and well-being of the elderly population.

Trial registration: This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (no. IRCT20210610051532N1) on 07/09/2021.

Background: With the growing demand for dementia care, non-pharmacological interventions, such as creative arts therapies, have been proven effective in stabilizing cognitive function. Shadow Puppetry Therapy (SPT), which integrates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements, offers a promising care option for individuals with dementia.

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of SPT on cognitive function, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships among older adults with mild dementia.

Methods: We adopted a quasi-experimental design and recruited 33 older adults with mild dementia from two dementia care centers. Older adults with mild dementia were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 18). The experimental group participated in a 16-week SPT program, and the control group engaged in regular activities, such as physical exercises, painting, cooking, music, and handicraft projects. Assessments included the short portable mental status questionnaire (SPMSQ), the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES), and the interpersonal relationship scale, with evaluations conducted before and after the intervention.

Results: The intervention significantly improved cognitive function, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships in the experimental group. SPMSQ scores decreased, indicating enhanced cognitive function (p = .001), while self-esteem and interpersonal relationship scores showed significant improvements (p = .001). No significant changes were observed in the control group.

Conclusion: SPT is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for enhancing cognitive function, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships in older adults with mild dementia. The findings support the integration of creative arts therapies into dementia care.

The T cell aging process can be modified by genotoxic factors, including ionizing radiation, and metabolic controls, such as caloric restriction; the former accelerates and the latter retards the process. However, the mechanisms by which these systemic factors interact to cause T cell aging remain unclear. This study investigated the naïve T-cell pool, thymic cellularity, and transcriptome in mice irradiated with 3.8 Gy at 5 weeks of age and treated 13 months later with 30 mM spermidine (SPD), a metabolism regulator. The number of conventional naïve CD4 and CD8 T cells in the peripheral blood decreased 14 months after irradiation whereas the number of virtual memory naïve T cells, which increased with age, further increased by irradiation. However, these radiation-related changes were not significant in similarly irradiated mice that were subsequently treated with SPD. The numbers of total, double-positive, and single-positive thymocytes were decreased by irradiation, whereas none were decreased in the irradiated mice treated with SPD. RNA sequencing of thymus cells revealed 803 upregulated genes in irradiated mice compared with those in non-irradiated control mice, with these genes enriched in leukocyte activation and inflammatory cytokine production. However, only 22 genes were upregulated in irradiated and SPD-treated mice, suggesting a reversal of many radiation-induced gene expression changes. These findings suggest that SPD may alleviate radiation-induced acceleration of T-cell aging, particularly by mitigating reduced thymopoiesis and inflammation. Further research is warranted to explore the rejuvenating potential of SPD and its mechanisms of action in accelerated T-cell aging.

This special issue of the Journal of Experimental Gerontology explores the dynamic interplay between microbiomes and aging-related conditions. The four selected studies highlight the role of microbiota in Alzheimer's disease, cancer immunotherapy, myocardial infarction and tryptophan metabolism, providing insights into how microbiomes influence health and disease in aging. These studies underscore the potential for microbiome-targeted interventions to mitigate aging-related disorders and improve the quality of life for older adults.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of dual-task resistance training (RT) and detraining on physical function, cognitive capacity, lipid profile, renal function, oxidative stress markers, and chronic inflammation of institutionalized older adults.

Methods: The study involved 11 older adults (83.09 ± 8.1 years) residing in a long-term care institution, spanning 42 weeks with assessments at weeks 1, 14-15, 28, and 42. The initial 12 weeks following the first assessment (weeks 2-13) served as a baseline, during which participants maintained their routine activities. A dual-task resistance training protocol was implemented from weeks 16 to 27, followed by a detraining period from weeks 29 to 41. Assessments included clinical characteristics, physical function, cognitive ability, blood samples for biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation.

Results: Dual-task RT significantly enhanced balance (p = 0.027) and 4 m walking speed (p = 0.027) post-training compared to the baseline. It also decreased the completion time for the sit-and-stand test both post-training (p = 0.008) and post-detraining (p = 0.015) relative to baseline. Cognitive ability showed significant improvements (p < 0.05). The CAT/TBARS ratio increased significantly post-training (p < 0.001) and remained elevated post-detraining. Nitric Oxide levels increased post-training (p < 0.05) and stayed higher post-detraining. The IL-10/TNF-α ratio significantly increased post-training (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Dual-task RT performed over 12 weeks improved physical function, cognitive capacity, muscular strength, oxidative stress markers, and chronic inflammation in institutionalized older adults. Furthermore, these benefits were sustained even after a period of detraining.

Background: Poor sleep quality may contribute to sarcopenia, but evidence remains sparse. This retrospective cross-sectional study investigated the association between subjective sleep quality and probable sarcopenia in a cohort of community-dwelling older adults enrolled in the Longevity Check-Up 8+ study.

Methods: Participants were asked about their sleep quality over the past month, with four possible options ("very good", "quite good", "quite bad", very bad"). For the analysis, participants were grouped into good or bad sleep quality categories. Probable sarcopenia was operationalized according to handgrip strength values < 27 kg for men and < 16 kg for women. Logistic regression models were used to explore the relationship between sleep quality and probable sarcopenia.

Results: 1971 participants were included in the analysis (mean age 73.4 ± 6.2 years, 50.0 % women). Bad sleep quality was reported by 28.3 % of participants and was more prevalent among women, physically inactive individuals, and those with dyslipidemia. Probable sarcopenia was more prevalent in participants with bad sleep quality (23.8 % vs. 18.7 %, p = 0.012). Logistic regression revealed that bad sleep quality was significantly associated with increased odds of probable sarcopenia in both unadjusted (odds ratio [OR] 1.36, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.72, p = 0.010) and fully adjusted models (OR 1.40, 95 % CI 1.08-1.81, p = 0.011).

Conclusions: Poor sleep quality is associated with increased likelihood of probable sarcopenia in older adults. This finding highlights the importance of addressing sleep quality in interventions aimed at preventing sarcopenia and promoting healthy aging.