Societal costs and quality of life associated with arginase 1 deficiency in a European setting - a multinational, cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Arginase 1 deficiency (ARG1-D) is a ultrarare disease with manifestations that cause mobility and cognitive impairment that progress over time and may lead to early mortality. Diseases such as ARG1-D have a major impact also outside of the health care sector and the aim of this study was to estimate the current burden of disease associated with ARG1-D from a societal perspective. METHODS: The study was performed as a web-based survey of patients with ARG1-D and their caregivers in four European countries (France, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom). The survey was distributed at participating clinics and included questions on e.g. symptoms (including the Gross Motor Function Classification System, GMFCS, and cognitive impairment), health care use, medication, ability to work, caregiving, and impact on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) using the EQ-5D-5L. RESULTS: The estimated total mean societal cost per patient and year was £63,775 (SD: £49,944). The cost varied significantly with both mobility impairment (from £49,809 for GMFCS level 1 to £103,639 for GMFCS levels 3-5) and cognitive impairment (from £43,860 for mild level to £99,162 for severe level). The mean utility score on the EQ-5D-5L for patients was 0.498 (SD: 0.352). The utility score also varied significantly with both mobility impairment (from 0.783 for GMFCS level 1 to 0.153 for GMFCS level 3-5) and cognitive impairment (from 0.738 for mild level to 0.364 for severe level). CONCLUSIONS: Similar to other studies of rare diseases, the study is based on a limited number of observations. However, the sample appear to be reasonably representative when comparing to previous studies of ARG1-D. This study shows that ARG1-D is associated with a high societal cost and significant impact on HRQoL. Earlier diagnosis and better treatment options that can postpone or withhold progression may therefore have a potential for improved HRQoL and savings for the patient, caregiver, and society.

Short-term effects of a park-based group mobility program on increasing outdoor walking in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors: the Getting Older Adults Outdoors (GO-OUT) randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: We estimated the short-term effects of an educational workshop and 10-week outdoor walk group (OWG) compared to the workshop and 10 weekly reminders (WR) on increasing outdoor walking (primary outcome) and walking capacity, health-promoting behavior, and successful aging defined by engagement in meaningful activities and well-being (secondary outcomes) in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors. METHODS: In a 4-site, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, two cohorts of community-living older adults (≥ 65 years) reporting difficulty walking outdoors participated. Following a 1-day workshop, participants were stratified and randomized to a 10-week OWG in parks or 10 telephone WR reinforcing workshop content. Masked evaluations occurred at 0, 3, and 5.5 months. We modeled minutes walked outdoors (derived from accelerometry and global positioning system data) using zero-inflated negative binomial regression with log link function, imputing for missing observations. We modeled non-imputed composite measures of walking capacity, health-promoting behavior, and successful aging using generalized linear models with general estimating equations based on a normal distribution and an unstructured correlation matrix. Analyses were adjusted for site, participation on own or with a partner, and cohort. RESULTS: We randomized 190 people to the OWG (n = 98) and WR interventions (n = 92). At 0, 3, and 5.5 months, median outdoor walking minutes was 22.56, 13.04, and 0 in the OWG, and 24.00, 26.07, and 0 in the WR group, respectively. There was no difference between groups in change from baseline in minutes walked outdoors based on incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) at 3 months (IRR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.47, 1.14) and 5.5 months (IRR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.44, 1.34). Greater 0 to 3-month change in walking capacity was observed in the OWG compared to the WR group (ßz-scored difference = 0.14, 95% CI 0.02, 0.26) driven by significant improvement in walking self-efficacy; other comparisons were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: A group, park-based OWG was not superior to WR in increasing outdoor walking activity, health-promoting behavior or successful aging in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors; however, the OWG was superior to telephone WR in improving walking capacity through an increase in walking self-efficacy. Community implementation of the OWG is discussed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03292510 Date of registration: September 25, 2017.

Inequity in the utilization of the home and community integrated healthcare and daily care services in older adults with limited mobility in China.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the needs and utilization of the home and community integrated healthcare and daily care services ("home and community care services" for short) among older adults in China and to investigate the inequity in services utilization. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Needs and utilization rates of the home and community care services in older adults of 60 years old and above were analyzed. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the factors associated with services utilization among older adults with limited mobility. Concentration index, horizontal inequity index, and Theil index were used to analyze inequity in services utilization. Decomposition analyses of inequity indices were conducted to explain the contribution of different factors to the observed inequity. RESULTS: About 32.6% of older adults aged 60 years old and above had limited mobility in China in 2018, but only 18.5% of them used the home and community care services. Among the single service utilization, the highest using rate (15.5%) was from regular physical examination. Limited mobility, age group, income level, region, self-assessed health, and depression were statistically significant factors associated with utilization of any one type of the services. Concentration indices of any one type service utilization and regular physical examination utilization were both above 0.1, and the contribution of income to inequity were both over 60%. Intraregional factor contributed to about 90% inequity of utilizing any one type service, regular physical examination and onsite visit. CONCLUSIONS: This current study showed that older adults with needs of home and community care services underused the services. Pro-rich inequities in services utilization were identified and income was the largest source of inequity. The difference of the home and community care service utilization was great among provinces but minor across regions. Policies to optimize resources allocation related to the home and community care services are needed to better satisfy the needs of older adults with limited mobility, especially in the low-income group and the central region.

Organizational Characteristics of Hospitals Meeting STRIDE Program Adoption Benchmarks to Support Mobility for Hospitalized Persons.

There are few validated contextual measures predicting adoption of evidence-based programs. Variation in context at clinical sites can hamper dissemination. We examined organizational characteristics of Veterans Affairs hospitals implementing STRIDE, a hospital walking program, and characteristics' influences on program adoption. Using a parallel mixed-method design, we describe context and organizational characteristics by program adoption. Organizational characteristics included: organizational resilience, implementation climate, organizational readiness to implement change, highest complexity sites versus others, material support, adjusted length of stay (LOS) above versus below national median, and improvement experience. We collected intake forms at hospital launch and qualitative interviews with staff members at 4 hospitals that met the initial adoption benchmark, defined as completing supervised walks with 5+ unique hospitalized Veterans during months 5 to 6 after launch with low touch implementation support. We identified that 31% (n = 11 of 35) of hospitals met adoption benchmarks. Seven percent of highest complexity hospitals adopted compared to 48% with lower complexity. Forty-three percent that received resources adopted compared to 29% without resources. Thirty-six percent of hospitals with above-median LOS adopted compared to 23% with below-median. Thirty-five percent with at least some implementation experience adopted compared to 0% with very little to no experience. Adopters reported higher organizational resilience than non-adopters (mean = 23.5 [SD = 2.6] vs 22.7 [SD = 2.6]). Adopting hospitals reported greater organizational readiness to change than those that did not (mean = 4.2 [SD = 0.5] vs 3.8 [SD = 0.6]). Qualitatively, all sites reported that staff were committed to implementing STRIDE. Participants reported additional barriers to adoption including challenges with staffing and delays associated with hiring staff. Adopters reported that having adequate staff facilitated implementation. Implementation climate did not have an association with meeting STRIDE program adoption benchmarks in this study. Contextual factors which may be simple to assess, such as resource availability, may influence adoption of new programs without intensive implementation support.

Sex differences in mobility recovery after hip fracture: a time series analysis.

Introduction: Sex differences are commonly reported for hip fracture incidence rates and recovery. Current knowledge about mobility recovery after hip fracture involves clinical assessments of physical capacity or patient-reported outcomes. Information on mobility performance during daily life is missing but relevant to evaluate patients' recovery. Hence, it remains unclear whether sex differences exist in the longitudinal progression of mobility performance in hip fracture patients. To investigate this, we pooled data from four studies in Germany and Norway. Methods: In all studies, real-world mobility was assessed continuously over 1 to 7 days using a sensor fixed to the unaffected frontal thigh. All studies assessed mobility at different time points that were allocated to three distinct phases: Acute and post-acute phase (week 1-6), extended recovery (7-26), and long-term recovery (27-52). Sex-specific continuous trajectories of the median (50th percentile) as well as the 1st (25th percentile) and 3rd quartile (75th percentile) were estimated using quantile regression models with splines for daily walking and standing duration; number of sit-to-stand-to-walk transfers and walking bouts; mean walking bout duration; maximum number of steps per walking bout. Results: There were 5,900 valid observation days from n = 717 participants (mean age = 83.4 years, SD 6.1). The majority was female (75.3%), with similar sex distribution across all studies. Demographics of both sexes were comparable, but a higher percentage of women was living alone (69.0% compared to 40.9% in men) and had experienced an indoor fall leading to the fracture (74.3% compared to 67.4% in men). There were clear sex differences in mobility recovery. Women improved their mobility faster than men, but men showed larger increases later in the year after surgery. At the end of the first year, both sexes reached comparable levels in almost all mobility parameters. Conclusion: We identified varying aspects of mobility recovery between men and women, i.e., timely development of mobility recovery shows different patterns. Our findings support the consideration of sex differences in planning and implementing rehabilitation measures for hip fracture patients and highlight the need to provide adapted support at different time points. The underlying mechanisms of these sex differences need further investigation.

Development of an interprofessional diagnostic toolkit to enhance outside walking gait-related participation of people after stroke in Germany: study protocol of an ongoing multi-methods study.

INTRODUCTION: Persons after stroke experience limitations in activities of daily living even in the chronic phase. Many patients who had a stroke report mobility limitations with loss of social roles such as reduced gait-related participation. International best-practice recommendations for patients who had a stroke include interprofessional diagnostics as a core element for goal setting and intervention planning to improve social participation. Interprofessional diagnostics has not yet been implemented in Germany. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The aim is to develop an interprofessional diagnostic toolkit. This will be done in a multi-step process: first, an integrative review is conducted to synthesise the literature. Second, the experiences regarding diagnostics and walking outside is captured in focus groups with persons after stroke, relatives and health professionals. Third, a toolkit for the interprofessional diagnostic process of gait-related-participation will be developed based on the results of the previous steps in a future workshop. Fourth, the results of each work package will be integrated into the iterative development process for evaluation and implementation. All steps will be performed in accordance with the respective reporting guidelines. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the ethics committee at the Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU), Germany and is overseen by LMU-Medical Institutional Review Board. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Results will be disseminated through knowledge exchange with stakeholders and in peer-reviewed journal publications, scientific conferences, formal and informal reports. Stakeholders, patients and providers will be involved in most steps of the development from the beginning, which will facilitate later implementation at a larger scale. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: German Register Clinical Trials/Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien DRKS00032389.

Dwellings occupied by mobility-limited older people emerge as strong control centers and more age-friendly places.

The future will witness the substantial worldwide growth of older people with functional limitations or disabilities who have difficulties leaving their dwellings and traveling to their neighborhoods or other community destinations to realize their obligatory and discretionary needs and goals. This commentary offers conceptual arguments and literature findings proposing that the dwellings of this vulnerable population deserve new scrutiny because they have become more salient and positively experienced places to live where their occupants can maintain their independence and age in place. The catalyst for this commentary is the emergence of gerontechnological innovations relying on digital and sensor technologies, offering these older occupants a new category of dwelling connectivity solutions-constituting a paradigm shift-whereby goods, care, services, social supports, and information and leisure activities can be delivered to their houses and apartments. Incorporating this technological component has transformed their dwellings into dynamic "control centers," connecting their occupants in real-time with the resources and activities offered in other places. These solutions enable older people to cope more effectively with declines and losses because their ability to live independently is less threatened by challenges they face accessing destinations with inadequate transportation options and less age-friendly land use or physical design features. By occupying more supportive, safer, and connected dwellings, these older people have overall more positive and salient residential mastery emotional experiences and feel more competent and in control of their lives and environment. Planning or policy recommendations directed to the World Health Organization (WHO) and its age-friendly city/community agenda follow from its conclusions. They highlight how dwelling environments containing gerontechnological solutions are becoming more critical influences of "active aging." The commentary recommends that WHO allocates more resources to dwelling interventions that increase the awareness, availability, usability, and acceptability of these gerontechnological solutions, thus reducing the disincentives for older people to be adopters.

Difficulty with mobility among the aged in Ghana: Evidence from Wave 2 of the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health.

BACKGROUND: Globally, the population is rapidly ageing, stemming from a recent decline in mortality, and an increase in life expectancy. About 727 million people globally were aged ≥65 in 2020, and 1 in 6 people will be ≥65 years by 2050. About 7% of Ghana's population was over 60 years in 2010, and projected to be 12% by 2050. However, the aged are confronted with degenerative conditions that translate into difficulty with mobility. The study was conducted to investigate the difficulty with mobility among the aged in Ghana. METHODS: The study utilised a cross-sectional dataset of the 2014/2015 (wave 2) Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health and included 1,856 participants aged ≥50 years. The survey command was applied to adjust for sampling biases and the design of the study. At 5% alpha level, a chi-square test of independence was conducted to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. At 95% confidence interval and 5% alpha level, three-level multilevel logistic regression models were performed. The fixed-effects were presented in odds ratio and the random effects were presented using the Intra-Class Correlation. All analysis were performed using STATA statistical software version 16.0. RESULTS: Out of the 1,856 participants, 40.3% had difficulty with mobility. Additionally, age (80 and above) [AOR = 3.05, 95%CI = 1.78-5.22], self-reported poor/bad health status [AOR = 2.39, 95%CI = 1.35-4.23], having severe/extreme difficulty performing household activities [AOR = 25.12, 95%CI = 11.49-44.91], experienced severe/extreme bodily pains [AOR = 4.56, 95%CI = 2.16-9.64], severe/extreme sleep problems [AOR = 4.15, 95%CI = 1.68-10.29], and participants with difficulty with sight/vision [AOR = 1.56, 95%CI = 1.16-2.10] had higher odds of difficulty with mobility. CONCLUSION: The aged in Ghana had relatively higher prevalence (40.3%) of difficulty with mobility which is influenced by demographics, health status, and degeneration associated with ageing. This highlights the need to provide social support and strengthen social capital for the aged in Ghana, especially those with difficulty with vision, experiencing bodily pains and had poor health status. Additionally, the Government and stakeholders should provide assistive devices for the aged and geriatric care including recreational fields and care homes to address the health and physical needs of the aged in Ghana.

Non-pharmacological interventions targeting mobility among people with advanced cancer: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To synthesise evidence evaluating non-pharmacological interventions targeting mobility among people with advanced cancer, considering the type, efficacy and contextual factors that may influence outcome. METHODS: Systematic review of studies of non-pharmacological interventions in adults (≥ 18 years) with advanced (stage III-IV) cancer, and assessing mobility using clinical or patient-reported outcome measures. Searches were conducted across three electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL) up to June 2024. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools and contextual factors were evaluated through the Context and Implementation of Complex Interventions framework. A narrative synthesis was conducted due to clinical heterogeneity of included studies. RESULTS: 38 studies encompassing 2,464 participants were included. The most frequent mobility outcome measure was the 6-min walk test (26/38 studies). Exercise was the most common intervention, (33 studies: 27 aerobic and resistance, 5 aerobic, 1 resistance versus aerobic training) and improvements in mobility were found in 21/33 outcomes. Electrotherapy interventions led to significant improvements in mobility in 3/5 studies. Geographical factors (e.g. distance, transport, parking requirements) potentially limited participation in 18/38 studies. A lack of ethnic diversity among populations was evident and language proficiency was an inclusion criterion in 12 studies. CONCLUSION: Exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation appear to improve mobility outcomes in advanced cancer. The evaluation of other non-pharmacological interventions targeting mobility should consider access and inclusivity, and be adaptable to the needs of this population.

Efficacy of exercise with the hybrid assistive limb lumbar type on physical function in mobility-limited older adults: A 5-week randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia and frailty often worsen in older adults because of declines in activities of daily living and social connections that are associated with chronic diseases and traumatic injuries such as falls and fractures. Exercise intervention for sarcopenia can take >3 months to improve muscle mass, muscle strength, and walking speed. Thus, a specialized intervention system for shorter periods of time is needed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the short-term efficacy of an exercise program using the wearable cyborg Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) lumbar type in physical function in mobility-limited older adults who do not require transition to long-term care. METHODS: This randomized, single-blind, parallel-group study involved 79 community-dwelling older adults with physical frailty or locomotive syndrome assigned to an intervention group (n = 40) with the HAL lumbar type exercise program or a control group (n = 39) without the exercise program. The intervention group underwent trunk training (including trunk and hip flexion, standing and sitting from a single sitting position, and squats) and gait training (treadmill and parallel bars) twice a week for 5 weeks while wearing the HAL lumbar type. The 10-m usual and maximum walking speeds, Timed Up and Go test results, 5-times chair-standing test results, 5-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-5) scores, body-fat percentage, and muscle mass were measured before and after the intervention and analyzed using the intention-to-treat method. RESULTS: The intervention (23 % male; mean age, 74.7 ± 4.7 years) and control (21 % male; mean age, 75.1 ± 4.1 years) groups did not differ significantly in baseline characteristics. Seventy-seven participants completed the program; two withdrew for personal reasons. The mean difference (standard error) between the groups for the primary outcome (usual walking speed) was 0.35 (0.04) m/s; the time-by-group interaction was significant (p < 0.001). Secondary outcomes (maximum walking speed, Timed Up and Go test results, 5-times chair-standing test results, and GLFS-5 scores) significantly improved in the intervention group. Body composition was unchanged in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A 5-week exercise program using the HAL lumbar type is a promising option for community-dwelling older adults with limited mobility who do not require nursing care, resulting in clinically meaningful improvements in most physical functions within a short period.

Dynapenia and sarcopenia identify walking speed decline in women but not in men.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the best indicator of mobility decline between dynapenia, low skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI), and sarcopenia defined by the EWGSOP2 using different cutoff points for grip strength. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted with a follow-up of eight years, involving 2,680 individuals aged 60 and older who participated in the ELSA study with a walking speed greater than 0.8 m/s at baseline. Dynapenia was defined using different cutoff points for grip strength. SMMI was defined by the 20th percentile of the entire ELSA sample distribution and sarcopenia was defined based on the EWGSOP2, using different cutoff points for grip strength. Mobility was analysed using the walking speed test. RESULTS: Over time, the greatest decline in walking speed occurred in dynapenic women with grip strength < 17 kg (-0.005 m/s per year; 95 % CI: -0.01 to -0.001) and < 20 kg (-0.007 m/s per year; 95 % CI: -0.01 to -0.001). With regards to sarcopenia, the greatest walking speed decline occurred in women with probable sarcopenia when defined by grip strength < 17 kg [(-0.006 m/s per year; 95 % CI: -0.01 to -0.001) or grip strength < 20 kg (-0.007 m/s per year; 95 % CI: -0.01 to -0.001)]. Dynapenia in men as well as low SMMI and sarcopenia in men and women did not enable identifying the risk of mobility decline. CONCLUSION: Dynapenia and probable sarcopenia defined by grip strength < 17 kg and < 20 kg enabled identifying walking speed decline over time only in women.

Remotely-delivered exercise training program for improving physical and cognitive functions among older adults with multiple sclerosis: Protocol for an NIH stage-I randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) present with low physical activity participation, cognitive and ambulatory dysfunctions, and compromised quality of life (QOL). OBJECTIVE: We propose a NIH Stage-I, randomized controlled trial (RCT) that examines the feasibility and efficacy of a 16-week theory-based, remotely-delivered, exercise training program for improving cognitive and physical functions in older adults with MS who have moderate mobility disability without severe cognitive impairment. METHODS: This Stage-I study utilizes a parallel-group RCT design. Participants (N = 50; age ≥ 50 years) will be randomly assigned into exercise training (combined aerobic and resistance exercise) or active control (flexibility and stretching) conditions. The conditions will be undertaken within a participant's home/community over a 16-week period, and monitored remotely and supported by Zoom-based chats guided by social cognitive theory (SCT) via a behavioral coach. Participants will receive training manuals and equipment, one-on-one behavioral coaching, action-planning calendars, self-monitoring logs, and SCT-based newsletters. The primary outcomes include feasibility (e.g., recruitment and retention rates), exercise behavior and physical activity; other outcomes include physical function (lower-extremity function, mobility, walking), cognition (processing speed, learning and memory, executive function), MS symptoms, QOL, and vascular function. We will collect outcome data at baseline (Week 0), post-intervention (Week 16), and follow-up (Week-32). Data analysis will follow intent-to-treat principles using linear mixed-effects models. DISCUSSION: This Stage-I trial adopts an innovative approach for exercise training via telerehabilitation and is convenient and accessible for older adults with MS. If successful, the study will provide foundations for future research using remotely-delivered exercise intervention for managing the consequences of aging with MS. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05930821.

Food insecurity and mobility difficulty in middle-aged and older adults: The importance of bio-psychosocial factors.

OBJECTIVE: Food insecurity has been associated with mobility difficulty (MD) in old age. However, there is a scarcity of research on this topic from low- and middle-income countries, while the bio-psychological factors underlying this association are largely unknown. We investigated the food insecurity-MD link in Ghana and explored how sleep, anxiety, loneliness, and physical activity (PA) mediate the association. METHODS: Community-based, representative cross-sectional data from the Aging, Health, Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study were analyzed (N = 1201; Mage = 66.5; women = 63%). MD was assessed with items from the SF-36 of the Medical Outcomes Study. We assessed food insecurity with items on hunger and breakfast-skipping frequency due to lack of food and resources. Adjusted OLS and mediation models via bootstrapping technique evaluated the associations. RESULTS: Results revealed the expected association between food insecurity and MD, such that greater food insecurity was significantly and positively associated with MD across paths (from ß = 0.33 to ß = 0.42, p < .001). Analyses of indirect effects showed that sleep problems (27.8%), anxiety (15.5%), loneliness (17.5%), and PA (18.0%) mediated the association between food insecurity and MD. Cross-level interactions revealed that food insecurity significantly modified the link between each mediator and MD. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide novel evidence that bio-psychological mechanisms may underlie the food insecurity-MD link and should, therefore, be considered relevant targets for interventions to prevent/manage MD in later life.

Assistive Devices for Addressing Mobility Impairments Linked to Cancer and Cancer Treatment: An Expert Perspective.

OBJECTIVES: Cancer survivors often experience mobility impairments that negatively impact their ability to engage in everyday activities. Healthcare providers working with patients in the continuum of cancer care play essential roles in identifying and addressing mobility impairments. The objective of this article is to present common assistive devices valuable in managing cancer and cancer treatment-related mobility impairments. METHODS: Peer-reviewed scientific publications and expert opinions. RESULTS: This article highlights assistive devices commonly used in various settings of cancer care and describes how they address different impairments faced by cancer survivors. The information presented can potentially serve as a resource when training clinical staff (eg, oncology nursing staff) on device provision across all settings. The information can also be useful for patients and caregivers to learn about potential functional impairments linked to cancer and treatments and assistive devices that can be useful to improve patients' functional capacity and reduce caregiver burden. CONCLUSION: It is essential to involve different team members to identify and select the most appropriate assistive devices that match the patient's functional needs and physical capacity and to train them in device use so they can safely carry out their daily routine. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Oncology nurses are one of the first providers to identify mobility impairments in cancer patients. This article will help increase their knowledge in common assistive devices valuable for addressing various mobility impairments associated with cancer and treatments. With additional training on device provision, oncology nurses will be more empowered to collaborate with rehabilitation to identify potential mobility impairments, initiate device provision, and encourage their patients to work with therapy services. Ultimately this could reduce injuries linked to mobility impairments and improve the patient's functional independence and overall quality of life.

Enhancing Mobility and Well-Being in Older Adults with Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze mobility challenges in older adult with cancer. METHODS: Data from previous literature was extracted and analyzed pertaining to the topic of interest. RESULTS: Mobility issues for the older adult with cancer are multi-factorial and are impacted by age-related changes, comorbidities, cancer itself, and cancer treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Proven benefits have been suggested with mobility assessments, exercise and dietary interventions, and cancer rehabilitation programs however further research is needed to define integration and utilization of programs, facilitation of cancer survivors returning to work, inclusion of socially disadvantaged patients, program compliance, economic aspects, and caregiver involvement to improve quality of life across the cancer continuum. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Oncology nurses are in a key role to impact the care of the older adult with cancer with mobility through patient assessment of mobility function, facilitation of patient referrals for supportive services and cancer rehabilitation and execution of nurse-led intervention programs.

Rationale and methodology for examining the combination of aerobic exercise and cognitive rehabilitation on new learning and memory in persons with multiple sclerosis and mobility disability: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This paper describes the protocol for a Phase I/II, parallel-group, single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT). The RCT investigates the combined effects of 12-weeks of aerobic exercise training (AET) integrated with virtual reality (VR) and cognitive rehabilitation (CR) on new learning and memory in 78 persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have mobility disability and objective impairments in learning and memory. METHODS: Participants will undergo baseline assessments consisting of neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging, self-report questionnaires, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Participants will then be randomized into one of two conditions using concealed allocation: aerobic cycling exercise that incorporates VR combined with CR or stretching and toning (i.e., active control; S/T) combined with CR. Participants will be masked regarding the intent of the conditions. After 7-weeks of exercise alone, the 5-week Kessler Foundation modified Story Memory Technique (KF-mSMT®) will be integrated into the training. After the 12-week training period, participants will complete the same measures as at baseline administered by treatment-blinded assessors. Primary study outcomes include new learning and memory (NLM) measured by a small battery of neuropsychological assessments that assess list learning (California Verbal Learning Test-II), prose memory (Memory Assessment Scale), visuospatial memory (Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised), and everyday memory (Ecological Memory Simulations). Secondary study outcomes include neuroimaging outcomes of hippocampal structure, function, and connectivity. CONCLUSION: If successful, this trial will provide the first Class I evidence supporting the unique combination of aerobic cycling exercise with VR and CR for treating MS-related learning and memory impairments in persons with mobility disability.

[Promoting active mobility in old age through urban design]. / Förderung aktiver Mobilität im Alter durch Stadtgestaltung.

In an ageing society, maintaining independent mobility into old age is an important objective. Mental and physical wellbeing depends not only on individual health status, but also to a large extent on the spatial conditions. Local politics and municipal administrations can influence this, especially in urban planning. This discussion article brings together perspectives from public health and urban planning on urban development and mobility against the background of health equity.The results of the AFOOT (Securing urban mobility of an ageing population) cross-sectional study on socio-spatial conditions in small- and medium-sized towns in northwestern Germany and walking and cycling by older people show the importance of residential environmental factors such as proximity to everyday destinations, walking and cycling infrastructure, and street connectivity. Preferences for the design of an age-friendly living environment and the quality of public spaces exist in terms of urban design quality, quality of stay, and safety in public spaces.In order to improve spatial conditions, the situation needs to be recorded using defined indicators and monitoring, and the perspectives of older people need to be integrated. Strategies and measures to promote active mobility in old age are aimed at the multifunctional design of public spaces, the prioritization of active mobility on everyday trips, and ensuring the accessibility of everyday destinations through urban development. Cross-sectoral cooperation between urban planning, transport planning, and public health is essential to promote the active mobility and health of older people.

[ADAS and automation-a relevant contribution to maintaining mobility of older drivers?] / Fahrerassistenzsysteme und automatisiertes Fahren ­ ein relevanter Beitrag zum Erhalt der Mobilität im Alter?

Driving is the most important and safest form of mobility for the majority of senior citizens. However, physical and mental performance gradually decline with age, which can lead to more problems, critical situations or even accidents. Vehicle technology innovations such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have the potential to increase the road safety of older people and maintain their individual mobility for as long as possible.This overview article aims to identify ADAS that have the greatest potential to reduce the number of accidents involving older drivers. For this purpose, the accident and damage occurrence as well as the driving behaviour and compensation strategies of older people are examined in more detail. Suitable ADAS should compensate for typical driver errors, reduce information deficiencies and have a high level of acceptance. For older drivers, emergency braking, parking assistance, navigation, intersection assistance and distance speed control systems as well as systems for detecting blind spots and obstacles appear to be particularly suitable.Some of the disadvantages of ADAS are the lack of market penetration, acceptance problems and interface designs that have not yet been optimally adapted to the needs of older users. For older drivers in particular, it appears to be a priority to develop coherent and integrated solutions in the sense of cooperative assistance instead of pushing ahead with high and full automation with many system limits and exceptions, which can place high demands on attention, for example if the vehicle has to be taken over in a critical situation.