Efficacy of Therapeutic Exercise on Activities of Daily Living and Cognitive Function Among Older Residents in Long-term Care Facilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to systematically analyze the efficacy of therapeutic exercise on activities of daily living (ADL) and cognitive function among older residents in long-term care facilities. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cochrane Central of Register Trials, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, OTseeker, and Ichushi-Web were searched from inception until December 2018. STUDY SELECTION: Databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of therapeutic exercise for long-term care facility residents aged 60 years and older, focusing on ADL and cognitive function as outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent reviewers extracted the key information from each eligible study. Two reviewers independently screened and assessed all studies for eligibility, extracting information on study participants, details of interventions, outcome characteristics, and significant outcomes. Any discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 11 RCTs with 1280 participants were eligible for analyses. Therapeutic exercise had a significant benefit on ADL (standard mean difference [SMD]=0. 22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02, 0.42, P=.03). Subgroup analyses indicated that interventions conducted ≥3 days per week [SMD=0.42, 95% CI 0.02, 0.82, P=.04] had a significant benefit on ADL. For cognitive function, group exercise and ≥3 days/week of intervention had a significant benefit (group exercise: mean difference [MD]=3.36, 95% CI 0.91, 5.80, P=.007; ≥3 days/week of intervention: MD=2.28, 95% CI 0.07, 4.49, P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic exercise conducted 3 or more days per week may be effective for improving ADL and cognitive function among older residents in long-term care facilities. This meta-analysis suggested that group exercise for cognitive functions was effective. However, the effective method of intervention delivery for ADL was unclear.

[Factors related to regional differences among home-visit rehabilitation users].

AIM: The present study investigated the relationship between the type of residential area and each factor of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework among elderly subjects receiving home-visit rehabilitation. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at two institutions. A total 84 participants (46 men and 38 women, age: 79.1±7.8 years old) who were receiving home-visit rehabilitation in urban and rural areas were examined. The parameters measured included the modified Gait Efficacy Scale (mGES), grip strength, 30-seconds chair stand test (CS-30), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Life-Space Assessment (LSA), Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), Ikigai-9, and Home and Community Environment (HACE), which is based on the ICF concepts of health status, physical structure, physical and mental functions, activities, participation, personal factors, and environmental factors respectively; these points were evaluated by physical or occupational therapists. The health status was based on the diagnosis obtained from the clinical record. RESULTS: Receiving home-visit rehabilitation in a rural area was significantly associated with the LSA (odds ratio [OR]=1.075, p=0.028), optimistic and positive feelings for life (OR=0.698, p=0.040), and community mobility scores (OR=5.755, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Environmental factors, activities, and personal factors differed depending on the region where the elderly subject received home-visit rehabilitation. Thus, intervention methods concerning home-visit rehabilitation may need to be adjusted according to the region where the patient lives.

Comparison of respiratory function, physical function, and activities of daily living among community-dwelling patients with respiratory and non-respiratory disease.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in respiratory function, physical function, and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) between respiratory and non-respiratory patients using community-based home rehabilitation. [Participations and Methods] Maximum Phonation Time (MPT), upper and lower limb muscle strength, and ADL were compared in two groups: a respiratory disease group including respiratory patients and those with respiratory comorbidities, and a non-respiratory disease group. Cutoff values were determined for items that showed significant differences between groups. [Results] There were no significant differences between the two groups in assessments other than MPT. MPT was significantly lower in the respiratory disease group, with an MPT cutoff value of 10.1 sec and an area under the curve of 0.74. [Conclusion] Use of the MPT cutoff value may help to determine whether respiratory function is impaired in patients with respiratory disease.

Clinical usefulness of indoor life-space assessment in community-dwelling older adults certified as needing support or care.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a questionnaire to evaluate indoor life-space mobility and assess its validity in community-dwelling older adults certified as needing support or care. METHODS: The participants included 37 community-dwelling older adults undergoing home-visit rehabilitation (mean age: 78.5±7.0 years). We developed a questionnaire to assess the degree of indoor life-space mobility (home-based life-space assessment (Hb-LSA)), evaluating the functional status (life-space assessment (LSA), time spent away from bed, functional independence measure (FIM), bedside mobility scale (BMS)), physical function (hand grip power (HGP), 30-second chair stand (CS-30), one-leg standing (OLS)) and cognitive status (mental status questionnaire (MSQ)). RESULTS: The average Hb-LSA score was 56.3±24.3 (minimum 4 to maximum 102.5). The test-retest reliability was high (intraclass correlation coefficients: (1, 1)=0.986, (1, 2)=0.993). The Hb-LSA scores were significantly associated with the LSA (r=0.897), time spent away from bed (r=0.497), FIM (r=0.786), BMS (r=0.720), HGP (r=0.388), CS-30 (r=0.541) and OLS (r=0.455). There were no significant associations between the Hb-LSA scores and the FIM cognitive subscores (r=0.180) or MSQ scores (r=-0.240). The Hb-LSA scores were significantly higher among the participants able to move independently indoors (75.8±18.8 points) than in those who required help to move (45.7±20.2 points). CONCLUSIONS: The Hb-LSA is a useful, reliable and valid tool for assessing the degree of indoor physical mobility in the life-space. The Hb-LSA score is related to the degree of independence of indoor mobility.

[Establishment of a short-form screening test for malnutrition in a newly developed comprehensive geriatric assessment initiative named 'Dr. SUPERMAN'].

AIM: Assessment of the nutritional state is important in comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Several standardized screening tests for malnutrition are available such as the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and MNA-Short Form (MNA-SF). However, it takes more than 10 minutes to perform the MNA-SF alone. We have developed a CGA initiative named 'Dr. SUPERMAN', which is designed to accomplish CGA within 10 minutes. In this study, we evaluated a short-form screening test for malnutrition preceding the MNA. METHODS: The MNA-SF, which consists of 6 items (A-F), was administered to 163 elderly outpatients (mean age: 83.4 years, 80 men) with various diseases. Using the results of the MNA-SF score (normal ≥ 12 and abnormal ≤ 11) as a gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values (PPVs) of each item were calculated and the best combination of 2 items for identifying malnutrition among the elderly outpatients was selected. According to the combination of 2 items (item B: weight loss during the last 3 months; item F: body mass index (BMI)/calf circumference (CC) in cm), they were divided into 2 groups: the normal control (NC) group (neither items B nor F) and the malnutrition/at risk (MN) group (either items B or D, or both). Findings of the clinical feature, anthropometric measurement, and nutritional biomarker between the 2 groups were examined to clarify the characteristics of each. RESULTS: The MNA-SF score was distributed as follows: 3-7 in 12 cases, 8-11 in 68 cases, and 12-14 in 83 cases. Based on the MNA-SF score, the combination of items B and F revealed the highest sensitivity (91.3%), specificity (63.9%), and PPV (70.9%), resulting in 103 cases in the MN group and 60 cases in the NC group. A high frequency of anorexia, living alone, hypoprealbuminemia, lymphocytopenia, and dehydration was observed in the MN group, whereas a high frequency of leg edema was observed in the NC group. Cases showing a positive wall-occiput test, which compelled the alternation of CC with BMI, accounted for 24% of all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of 'weight loss during the last 3 months' and initial BMI ≥ 23/CC <31 cm along with a positive wall-occiput test was a useful and valuable SF screening test for malnutrition in elderly outpatients.

Factors associated with life-space mobility restriction in home-care older adults receiving home-visit rehabilitation: A cross-sectional multi-center study in Japan.

AIM: Life-space mobility (LSM) restriction is a serious issue among older adults using home-visit rehabilitation (HR). This study evaluated physical function, transportation, and other factors not comprehensively tested in previous studies and examined factors associated with the restriction of LSM among older adults using HR. METHODS: This cross-sectional multi-center study recruited 88 HR users (49 men, 39 women, mean age 79.0 [±7.8] years) living in urban and rural areas from August to October 2020. We administered the Life-Space Assessment (LSA), the Self-Efficacy Scale on Going out among community-dwelling Elderly (SEGE), grip strength, a 30-s chair stand test, Bedside Mobility Scale, Functional Independence Measure, Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), Ikigai-9, and Home and Community Environment (HACE) test. Participants were divided into two groups based on the cut-off value of the LSA scores. In the logistic regression analysis, the dependent variable was LSA scores ≤30, and the independent variables were measured based on objective evaluation items and adjusted for confounding factors (age, sex, and frequency of use of day-care services). RESULTS: Restriction of LSM was significantly associated with FAI (odds ratio [OR] = 0.817, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.706-0.945), HACE facilitators (OR = 1.558, 95% CI = 1.168-2.079), and living alone (OR = 12.822, 95% CI = 1.202-136.716). CONCLUSION: Restriction of LSM is associated with environmental factors, such as assistive devices and household composition, and ability to engage in instrumental activities of daily living. Our findings indicate a great need for focusing on these factors among home-care older adults receiving HR. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 722-728.

Low-intensity resistance training to improve knee extension strength in community-dwelling older adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.

AIM: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of low-intensity resistance training on knee extension strength with respect to intensity, frequency, duration and training site in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: A literature search was conducted for articles published up to December 2018 on PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), OTseeker and Ichushi-Web. Randomized controlled trials involving resistance training with <60 % one repetition maximum (1RM) in community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and older were eligible. RESULTS: In total, 7 studies involving 275 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed significant improvements in knee extension strength with low-intensity resistance training [standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.62, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.32 to 0.91]. In subgroup analyses, significant improvements were observed in the group with intensity at 50-60 % 1RM (0.83, 0.46 to 1.19), but not in the group at 40 % or less 1RM (0.30, 95%CI: -0.08 to 0.68). Concerning frequency, there were significant improvements in knee strength for those receiving training three times (0.90, 0.52 to 1.27) and two times (0.36, 0.03 to 0.69) per week, with a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Low-intensity resistance training should be considered as an effective intervention to improve knee extension strength in community-dwelling older adults. Older adults may show more improvement in knee extension strength if intensity of the training is set at 50-60 % 1RM and frequency of training is three times per week.

[Establishment of a short-form screening test for cognitive decline as part of a newly developed comprehensive geriatric assessment initiative named 'Dr. Superman'].

AIM: The assessment of cognitive function is important in comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), and several standardized screening tests for dementia such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) are available. However, it takes 5 to 20 minutes to perform the MMSE. We have developed a CGA initiative named 'Dr. Superman' which is designed to accomplish CGA within 10 minutes. In this study, we evaluated a short-form screening test for cognitive decline preceding the MMSE. METHODS: The MMSE and a question on episodic memory, ("What kind of food did you have last night?") were administered to 90 elderly outpatients with various diseases. They were divided into 2 groups according to their MMSE scores: a normal group (MMSE score≥24) and an abnormal group (MMSE score≤23). Within these groups, each domain (D) (D1: time orientation, D2: place orientation, D3: immediate memory, D4: calculation, D5: recall, D6: language, and D7: spatial cognition) and episodic memory was separately scored and the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predicative value of each were calculated. Based on these data, the best combination of the domains was evaluated for practical use as an assessment tool. RESULTS: The MMSE scores ranged from 10 to 30, and 42 cases were classified into the normal group. High sensitivity, specificity, or positive predicative value was observed in D1, D2, D4, D5 and episodic memory categories. On the basis of the characteristics of each item in these domains in order to make a short-form assessment, a combination of "What is this year" in D1, "Serial 7's twice" in D4, and a question on episodic memory was found to be superior to other combinations (sensitivity: 93.8%; specificity: 71.4%; positive predicative value: 78.9%). Using this combination for 50 outpatients with 2 raters, it took 32 to 55 seconds to accomplish the assessment with good inter-rater reliability (κ=0.861). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of "What is this year?", "Serial 7's twice", and "What kind of food did you have last night?" was the best and most valuable short-form screening test for cognitive decline.

[Can a newly-established test for assessing standing and balance function be an alternative to the timed up-and-go test?--functional assessment of gait and balance in elderly patients for a comprehensive geriatric assessment initiative named 'Dr. SUPERMAN'].

AIM: To identify elderly patients who are at high risk for falls, we used the timed up-and-go test (TUG) as an assessment tool for gait and balance function in a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) initiative named 'Dr. SUPERMAN'. However, this test is difficult to perform in a small area because it requires at least 3 meters of movement space. Therefore, we investigated whether another, newly-developed test, based on the Berg balance test, could be an alternative to the TUG test. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 99 eligible subjects out of 105 elderly patients with disorders such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, cerebral infarction, osteoporosis and vascular risk factors, and administered the TUG test and the newly-developed standing and balance test (SBT). Of these 99, 6 patients could not stand independently. While the time to accomplish TUG was determined, any unsteadiness during TUG was also recorded. The SBT consists of 3 components: standing up independently, standing on a narrow base for 15 seconds without any swaying of the trunk, and a timed one-leg standing test (TOLS) for 15 seconds on both sides. Taking more than 14 seconds to accomplish the TUG or abnormal unsteadiness during the test was defined as positive, and each cut-off point was measured on the TOLS, with or without swaying of the trunk. RESULTS: The time to accomplish TUG significantly increased with age, and positive TUG findings were observed in 43 subjects. The mean TOLS time significantly and suddenly worsened at over 75 years of age, including among those subjects who showed swaying of the trunk and who could only perform the TOLS for less than 1 second. The receiver operating curve indicated that a TOLS cut-off point of less than 3 seconds, together with standing with help or swaying of the trunk during the SBT, most efficiently determined a positive TUG score, with high sensitivity (86%), high specificity (87.5%), and a high positive predictive value (84.1%). CONCLUSION: In a narrow space, the SBT can adequately determine gait and balance abnormalities among elderly patients, indicating it to be an alternative to the TUG test. Subjects who could stand dependently, who showed swaying of the trunk in SBT, or who had a TOLS cut-off point of less than 3 seconds, were at high risk for falls. Further assessment of similar patients is necessary.

[Predictors of interruptions to living at home in elderly people enrolled in a home visit rehabilitation service].

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of interruption to living at home as a result of death, hospitalization, or admission to a long-term care facility in frail elderly people enrolled in a home visit rehabilitation service. METHODS: A total of 311 patients entered a home visit rehabilitation service within a study period of 1 September, 2005 to 31 March, 2010, 146 of whom met the criteria to be enrolled in this study and gave consent. Of these, 73 received a continuous home visit rehabilitation service (continuous group) of over 2 years and 73 experienced interruption to this service due to death, hospitalization, or admission to a long-term care facility (interruption group). The following physical, social, and medical factors were recorded and analyzed: age, sex, care level, disease diagnoses, gait disability, cognitive impairment, living with another person and cause of the interruption to the home-visit rehabilitation service. We compared each item between the interruption and continuous groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the significant predictors of interruptions to living at home. RESULTS: Patients in the interruption group demonstrated significantly lower functioning in activities of daily living (ADL), gait ability and lower cognitive status, and higher rates of respiratory diseases and cancer compared with the continuous group. On logistic regression analysis, ADL score (odds ratio [OR]=0.97, p<0.01), and the presence of respiratory diseases (OR=4.35, p=0.04) and cancer (OR=13.46, p<0.01) were significantly associated with interruptions to living at home. CONCLUSIONS: Lower ADL functioning, respiratory diseases and cancer were significant predictors of interruption to living at home in frail elderly adults.

Self-efficacy and Physical Function in Cancer Survivors Receiving Home-visit Rehabilitation.

Objectives: Home-visit rehabilitation is critical for cancer patients because it facilitates recovery. However, few studies have reported relevant information and practices concerning this patient support. This study investigated the factors influencing the self-efficacy of cancer survivors receiving home-visit rehabilitation compared with non-cancer home-visit rehabilitation users by matching propensity scores. Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study involving participants from two cancer care institutions. Fifteen cancer survivors who received home-visit rehabilitation (9 men, 6 women; age=77.6±11.1 years) were matched for their propensity scores (adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidity) with 15 home-visit rehabilitation users without cancer (8 men, 7 women; age=74.7±11.7 years). Self-efficacy was measured based on the self-efficacy for activities of daily living (SEADL) scale and self-efficacy for going out among community-dwelling elderly people (SEGE) scale. Grip strength (GS), 30-second chair stand test (CS-30), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Life-Space Assessment (LSA) were measured based on objective evaluation items. Results: In cancer survivors, the SEADL was significantly correlated with GS, CS-30, FIM, motor-FIM (mFIM), and LSA. The CS-30 of cancer survivors was significantly correlated with SEGE. Among home-visit rehabilitation users without cancer, although the correlation between SEADL and FIM or mFIM was significant, SEGE was not significantly correlated with the other measurements. Conclusions: When compared with home-visit rehabilitation users without cancer, self-efficacy among cancer survivors was influenced not only by activities of daily living but also by physical function and life-space mobility.

Combined effect of factors associated with burdens on primary caregiver.

BACKGROUND: It is argued that a multidimensional approach is necessary for burden assessment. Reducing caregiver burden is a social problem in the ageing Japan society. We examined the combined effect of factors affecting the care burden among community-dwelling handicapped people and their caregivers. METHODS: The participants were 49 handicapped people (aged 53-104 years) who received home-visit rehabilitation, and their 49 caregivers (age 42-85 years). Caregivers were provided questionnaires consisting of questions on social support, subjective well-being, self-efficacy with regard to care continuation, the Motor Fitness Scale and caregiver burden. Care recipients were assessed using the Bedside Mobility Scale and the Barthel Index. RESULTS: We prepared the hypothesis model using structural equation modeling with the bootstrap method within outcome measures. The hypothesis model did not fit the data well. The impact of the Motor Fitness Scale was shifted from the caregiver burden to care self-efficacy and well-being, having a cooperator for care and variable of spouse caregiver or others associated with caregiver well-being in the revised model. The fit of the revised model was acceptable (goodness of fit index, 0.903; comparative fit index, 0.998; root mean square error of approximation, 0.017). In the revised model, the care recipients' disabled state was associated with caregiver burden. In addition, higher burden and poor motor fitness of caregivers might lead to lower care self-efficacy in providing continuous care and lower caregiver well-being. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that the program to reduce caregiver burden should focus on aspects of the care recipients' disabled state, the caregivers' well-being, fitness, and care self-efficacy.