Validation of the Korean version of the Summated Xerostomia Inventory among older adults residing in nursing homes.

BACKGROUND: Xerostomia is commonly experienced by older individuals. We sought to develop and evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Summated Xerostomia Inventory (K-SXI) among older adults residing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Korea. METHODS: In this secondary data analysis study using cross-sectional data, a cross-cultural adaptation process was conducted for the Korean version before data collection. Data collection was conducted from July 2021 to January 2022, targeting 544 older adults in 16 LTCFs. Data analysis included intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test-retest reliability, and Cronbach's α for internal consistency reliability. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to verify construct and convergent validity. Test-retest analysis was performed 6 weeks after baseline. Convergent and concurrent validities were assessed with age group and the xerostomia standard single question, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 544 older adults participated in this study. The mean of total K-SXI score was 11.70 (standard deviation, 4.96) points. The ICC value was calculated to be 0.90, and Cronbach's α of K-SXI was 0.92. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a single factor, explaining 74.8% of the total variance, however, some goodness-of-fit indices of the single factor model were found to be unsuitable in confirmatory factor analysis. The convergent and concurrent validity were supported. CONCLUSION: The present study provides evidence supporting the validity and reliability of the K-SXI for measuring xerostomia in institutionalized older adults in Korea.

The moderating effect of care time on care-related characteristics and caregiver burden: differences between formal and informal caregivers of dependent older adults.

Objective: This study examined differences in care burden between formal and informal caregivers of dependent older adults according to care-related characteristics, and whether care time had a moderating effect on the relationship between care-related characteristics and caregiver burden. Methods: Participants were formal (n = 520) and informal caregivers (n = 142) of dependent older adults in South Korea. Caregiver burden was measured using the Korean version of the Zarit Burden Interview. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression with interaction terms and moderation analysis. Results: Caregiver burden was higher for informal caregivers than formal caregivers. Factors associated with an increased risk of caregiver burden in both formal and informal caregiver of dependent older adults were caregivers' stress, physical strain, and care time. Care time significantly moderated the relationship between care attitude and care burden only among formal caregivers. When formal caregivers' care time was 1 standard deviation higher than the mean value, care attitude was significantly associated with care burden (bsimple = -0.903, SE = 0.106, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The caregiver burden of dependent older adults can be reduced by providing interventions to attenuate the effects of modifiable risk factors that were identified in this study. And to weaken the relationship between care attitude and burden of formal caregivers who have long care hours, a positive social atmosphere for care should be provided in addition to education. To realize sustainable care, policy considerations that reflect the results of this study will help solve the problem of formal and informal caregiver burden of dependent older adults.

Changes in instrumental activities daily living limitations and their associated factors according to gender in community-residing older adults: A longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Increases in dependence among older adults cause increases in care needs and social care burden. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are often used to assess the independence of older adults residing in communities. Various factors affect IADL limitations, but few studies confirm gender differences in IADL limitations in older adults. This study explored the changes in incidence of IADL limitations across 14 years and identified the factors associated with IADL limitations according to gender among older adults in Korea. METHOD: This study uses secondary data analysis with 2006-2020 data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), a longitudinal cohort study. Among the total 10,254 participants, 1,230 adults aged 65 years and over who met the criteria were included in the final analysis. For each IADL item, a limitation was defined when the response was partial or complete dependence. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors (in 2006) associated with IADL limitations in 2020. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants at baseline was 69.64 years (SD 3.93), and 61.0% of participants were female. Total scores for IADL limitations increased gradually across 14 years in all participants, and observed changes were statistically significant. The top three ranked items of IADL limitations differed according to gender in 2020: the top limitations in men were preparing meals, laundry, and using public transportation, and the top limitations in women were using public transportation, going out, and handling money. Factors associated with total IADL limitations were grip strength in men and age, dementia, fear of fall, and grip strength in women. Factors associated with the top three ranked items of IADL limitations differed according to gender. CONCLUSION: The incidence of IADL limitations gradually increased in all participants over a 14-year period. In older adults in Korea, gender differences were confirmed in the factors associated with IADL limitations, as well as in the main limited activities. To minimize IADL limitations in community-residing older adults, it is necessary to plan tailored interventions.

Malnutrition as a major related factor of frailty among older adults residing in long-term care facilities in Korea.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the prevalence and co-existence of frailty and malnutrition and 2) to identify factors related to frailty (including malnutrition) according to the level of frailty. METHODS: Data collection was conducted from July 11, 2021, to January 23, 2022, in 558 older adults residing in 16 long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Korea. The FRAIL-NH and Mini-Nutritional Assessment short form were used to measure frailty and nutrition, respectively. The data analysis included descriptive statistics and a multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 83.68 (± 7.39) years. Among 558 participants, 37 (6.6%), 274 (49.1%), and 247 (44.3%) were robust, prefrail, and frail, respectively. At the same time, 75.8% were categorized as having malnutrition status (malnourished: 18.1%; risk of malnutrition: 57.7%), and 40.9% had co-existing malnutrition and frailty. In the multivariate analysis, malnutrition was identified as the major frailty-related factor. Compared with a normal nutritional status, the incidence of frailty in the malnutrition group was 10.35 times (95% CI: 3.78-28.36) higher than the incidence of robustness and 4.80 times (95% CI: 2.69-8.59) higher than the incidence of prefrail. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of frailty and malnutrition, and their co-existence, among older adults residing in LTCFs was high. Malnutrition is a major factor that increases the incidence of frailty. Therefore, active interventions are needed to improve the nutritional status of this population.

What information about choosing a nursing home is available on YouTube?

This study aimed to identify YouTube videos focused on choosing a nursing home. The contents of the videos were analyzed using 19 items from the guidelines proposed by the Donabedian model. An analysis of 57 videos showed that informal presentations for format (54.39%), laypersons for speaker (36.84%), and personal channel for uploader (61.40%) exhibited the highest frequency. According to the analysis of video content, most videos included the environment (49.12%), programs (38.63%), and cost (35.09%). However, fewer videos focused on care protocols (5.26%), participation (5.26%) and health outcomes (5.26%). More informal presentations, laypersons, and personal channels than health providers, professional groups, and mass media were included in videos focused on choosing nursing homes. It is necessary to provide information regarding the philosophy, care, and health outcomes of residents in addition to the information regarding environment and cost provided by reliable suppliers, such as health professionals, the government, and mass media.

Informative and semantic language features of people with dementia displayed during reminiscence therapy.

BACKGROUND: Communication is essential for people with dementia (PWD) to independently perform activities of daily living. While cognitive training could improve communication abilities in PWD, there is limited evidence of the effect of reminiscence therapy (RT) on communication. Therefore, this study examines this effect, focusing on language features. METHOD: This study used data from randomised controlled trials applying RT to women with dementia registered in a day-care center. RT using digital material or storytelling was conducted with PWD for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included general characteristics and communicative ability, such as the number of correct information units (CIUs, a measure of informativeness in discourse), the Holden Communication Scale (HCS) score, and verbal engagement. Repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance and the paired t-test were performed to confirm the effect of RT on communicative ability. RESULTS: There was a significant change over time in the ratio of CIUs (F = 4.35, P = 0.016). In the first 2 weeks of the intervention, there were significant differences in the ratio of CIUs (t = -3.00, P = 0.005), total HCS score (t = 2.28, P = 0.028), and conversation score (HCS subdomain) (t = 2.44, P = 0.019) between two measurement time points (T0, T1), while the number of syllables did not significantly change (t = -1.60, P = 0.117). CONCLUSIONS: Informative/semantic linguistic ability was significantly increased in PWD, while the amount of discourse did not change after RT. This result may be helpful to improve effective communication with PWD and train healthcare staff working with PWD.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in social media: Content analysis of YouTube videos.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics, content, and quality of information available on YouTube regarding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and explore the search results and number of views and quality of the videos. A search was performed on YouTube on 10 June 2020, using the search term ''Lou Gehrig's disease" in the Korean language, and the first 100 videos were targeted for analysis. General characteristics (e.g., number of views, video length, etc.) were collected, and upload source, target audience, subject of the video, and quality of the videos using a global quality score (GQS) were assessed. About two-thirds of the videos were for the general public (62.0%), while the other third were made for patients and their families with ALS (38.0%). The mean GQS was 3.70 ± 1.42, and 60 videos were classified as high-quality videos. ALS-related videos on YouTube play a role in raising awareness among the general public of this devastating disease, however, practical information regarding disease management for patients and family is relatively insufficient. The quality and characteristics of the videos varied greatly and sometimes the lowest quality videos were shown in the top pages of search results.

Predictors of academic achievement in distance learning for nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Distance learning (DL) is no longer simply an alternative method in the new educational environment induced by COVID-19. The ability of learners to control the learning process is becoming an essential prerequisite for DL because learners are physically separated from their instructors. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the factors influencing DL and investigate the appropriate learning strategy. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the relationships between academic achievement and the factors influencing DL. DESIGN: This study adopted a cross-sectional design. SETTING: This study was conducted in nursing colleges in Korea. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and one undergraduate nursing students in Korea participated in this study. METHODS: An online survey of academic achievement, self-regulated learning (SRL), learning flow, engagement, academic stress, and grade point average was conducted using Google Surveys on December 22 and 23, 2020 at four nursing colleges. A hierarchical multiple linear regression model was conducted to identify the predictors of academic achievement. Age and sex were included in the regression model in the first step. Then, learning flow and engagement were included in the second step, and SRL was included in the final step. RESULTS: Learning flow (ß = 0.37, p < .001), engagement (ß = 0.23, p = .001), and SRL (ß = 0.22 p = .003) explained 49.5% of the variance in academic achievement (Adj R2 = 0.50, F = 40.21, p < .001). After controlling for sex, age, flow state, and engagement in learning, SRL explained an additional 2% of the variance in academic achievement (R2 change = 0.02, p = .003). CONCLUSIONS: The development of learning strategies, including SRL ability, learning flow and engagement in DL, contributes not only to students achieving high academic competency but also to educating students about perceptions of their 'future possible self'.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein RBD Antibody Levels After Receiving a Second Dose of ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (AZD1222) Vaccine in Healthcare Workers: Lack of Association With Age, Sex, Obesity, and Adverse Reactions.

Response to vaccines generally varies according to individual factors of the vaccinated subjects such as demographics and immune status. While there are various reports of factors associated with immunogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, little is known about those of adenovirus vector vaccines. We conducted a prospective observational study to assess the relationships of antibody level with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and adverse reactions (ARs) to an adenovirus vector vaccine, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. Healthcare workers who planned to receive both the first and second injections of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine at Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea, were enrolled in the study. Seven days after each injection, participants were asked to complete an online adverse reaction survey. In addition, anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein receptor binding domain (RBD) antibody concentration was measured 4 weeks after the second injection. All participants (n = 447, 100%) showed serologic positivity (≥ 0.8 U/mL) 4 weeks after the second injection of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Furthermore, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 S protein RBD concentration was similar among groups when stratified by age, sex, BMI, or presence and severity of AR; multivariable linear regression found no associations between antibody response to the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine and age, BMI, sex, and vaccine-induced ARs. In conclusion, age, sex, obesity, and ARs were not associated with antibody responses after two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination.

Risk Factors for Grade 3 to Grade 4 Adverse Reactions to the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine (AZD1222) Against SARS-CoV-2.

Objective: Limited data are available regarding the rates and risk factors of severe to serious adverse reactions (ARs) to the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Methods: Eligible participants were healthcare workers who received their first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in either of two university hospitals in Seoul, Korea. We evaluated the type and severity of ARs 7 days after the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine using a questionnaire survey delivered via a smartphone application link. Results: Among the 1,603 participants who completed the survey, 684 (42.7%) participants experienced any kind of grade 3 to grade 4 AR. Being young (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for age 21-30 years = 2.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.75-3.56; adjusted OR for 31-40 years = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.22-2.62; adjusted OR for 41-50 years = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.03-2.11), being female (adjusted OR = 2.16. 95% CI = 1.62-2.89), and being underweight (adjusted OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.02-2.55) were identified as risk factors for grade 3 to grade 4 ARs. Among comorbidities, only diabetes mellitus (adjusted OR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.03-5.53) was identified as a risk factor. When stratified by the type of AR, being young and being female were risk factors for both local and systemic grade 3 to grade 4 ARs. Conclusions: Being young, female, or underweight and having diabetes mellitus were associated with an increased risk of developing grade 3 to grade 4 ARs after receiving the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine.

The Predictors of Driving Cessation among Older Drivers in Korea.

BACKGROUND: As the elderly population and the number of older drivers grow, public safety concerns about traffic accidents involving older drivers are increasing. Approaches to reduce traffic accidents involving older drivers without limiting their mobility are needed. This study aimed to investigate the driving cessation (DC) rate among older Korean adults and predictors of DC based on the comprehensive mobility framework. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, data from 2970 to 10,062 older adults over 65 years old from the 2017 National Survey of Elderly People were analyzed in April 2020. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the predictors of DC. RESULTS: Residential area, an environmental factor, was a strong predictor of DC (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.21, 95% Confidential Interval (CI) 1.86-2.62). Older drivers living in an area with a metro system were 2.21 more likely to stop driving than those living in an area without a metro system. Other demographic, financial, psychosocial, physical, and cognitive variables also predicted DC. CONCLUSION: Environmental factors were strong predictors of older adults' DC. Therefore, political and environmental support, such as the provision of accessible public transportation, is essential to increase the DC rate among older adults to increase public safety without decreasing their mobility.

The effect of digital reminiscence therapy on people with dementia: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Reminiscence therapy (RT) can improve various dysfunctions in people with dementia (PWD), but it may not be a cost-effective intervention. Digital RT allows multiple users to participate in a therapy simultaneously. Moreover, digital RT offers convenience, such as for uploading personal materials and presenting individual triggers of personal memories. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of digital RT through a comparison with conventional RT and to develop a strategy for designing larger RCTs. METHODS: An Android application and digital content were developed for digital RT. Overall, 49 PWD enrolled in nine daycare centers in Korea met the inclusion criteria. Eight sessions of digital RT in an intervention group (n = 25) and storytelling in a control group (n = 24) with no digital materials were performed over 4 weeks from February to June 2019. Cognition, depression, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), and engagement were measured as the primary outcomes to evaluate the effect of digital RT. All outcomes except for engagement were evaluated at baseline before the intervention (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 4 weeks after the intervention (T2). Engagement was measured at the first and last intervention sessions. Differences in cognition, depression and BPSD between groups and across time points (T0, T1, and T2) were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Differences in engagement between the groups and time points (the first and last sessions) were analyzed by independent t-tests. This study adhered to the CONSORT guidelines. RESULTS: Depression (F = 7.62, p = .001, partial η2 = .17) was significantly decreased at T1 and T2, and engagement (t = - 2.71, p = .011) was significantly increased at the last session in the digital RT group compared to the control group. However, cognition (F = 0.13, p = .821) and BPSD (F = 0.67, p = .485) were not significantly different between groups and time points. CONCLUSIONS: Digital RT proved an innovative approach to manage PWD and will thus help PWD achieve a better mood and have more opportunities to engage in social interactions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: KCT0003446 in the Clinical Research Information Service. Registered 24 January 2019, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01.jsp?seq=14391.

Longitudinal changes in frailty prevalence and related factors in older adults living in long-term care facilities.

AIMS: To investigate longitudinal changes in the prevalence of frailty and related factors in older adults residing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Korea. DESIGN: A longitudinal cohort study design. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty adults (aged 65 and older) residing in 10 LTCFs between January 2014 and January 2016 in Korea were initially investigated. Among these, 182 participants were included in the final analysis. Fried's Cardiovascular Health Study index was used to assess frailty based on Freiheit and colleagues. Data analysed included descriptive statistics and repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance. RESULTS: The prevalence of frailty was 25.8%, 33.5% and 35.2% in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Differences in dependence of activities of daily living, number of chronic diseases, nutritional status and depression were statistically significant among the normal, pre-frail and frail groups at each year. Overall, from 2014-2016, the percentage of older adults decreased from 9.4-6.0% in the normal group and from 64.8%-58.8% in the pre-frail group, while increasing in the frail group from 25.8%-35.2%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of frailty among older adults living in LTCFs was high and the rate of frail older adults gradually increased over time. IMPACT: Frailty is a comprehensive health condition and a dynamic, changeable state. This longitudinal study showed a high rate of frailty and dynamic change in frailty level over time among residents. Because frailty is dynamic in every older adult over time, management should be tailored according to the individual's state of frailty to prevent functional decline. Development of a comprehensive frailty assessment tool that can easily measure not only physical frailty but also the comprehensive aspects of frailty would be useful for older adults in LTCFs.

Predictive Factors of Mortality in Older Adult Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities.

BACKGROUND: Various factors affect the mortality of older adult residents of long-term care facilities. To provide adequate nursing care for older adults, it is necessary to understand the factors that affect their risk of mortality. PURPOSE: This study was designed to (a) evaluate the 24-month survival rate and (b) identify the underlying cause of death in various dimensions, including cognitive, psychological, and physical function; nutritional status; and chronic disease. METHODS: A longitudinal study was carried out between 2011 and 2013 at seven long-term care facilities. The participants comprised 276 residents who were all older than 65 years old. Baseline measurements included cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening), psychological function (Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia), physical function (Barthel Index), nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment, mid-arm circumference, and calf circumference), and chronic disease status (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory disease, heart disease, and urinary incontinence). Data analysis included univariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify the main factors affecting mortality. RESULTS: In 2011 (baseline), the mean age of the participants was 80.46 years (SD = 7.08) and most were female (73.6%). At the 24-month follow-up, 94 (34.1%) of the participants had died. The major factors affecting mortality were as follows: cognitive dysfunction (OR = 3.12, 95% CI [1.41, 6.90]), mid-arm circumference (< 22.5 cm; OR = 2.32, 95% CI [1.35, 3.96]), and urinary incontinence (OR = 2.04, 95% CI [1.16, 3.61]). CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings, special attention is needed at the end of life to improve the quality of life of older adults with cognitive dysfunction, malnutrition (low mid-arm circumference), and urinary incontinence who reside in long-term care facilities.