Elderly

The present study aimed to compare the effects of physical, cognitive and combined rehabilitation on improving working memory and cognitive flexibility of the elderly living in the nursing home. This quasi-experimental study was carried out with a pretest-posttest design in four groups with the control group. The statistical population consisted of all elderly residents of a nursing home in Tehran. 48 people were selected randomly and divided into four groups (three experimental groups and one control group). For the experimental groups, intervention programs, including physical, cognitive, and combined rehabilitation, were conducted in three sessions of one hour each week for two months. The data were collected using a working memory capacity scale and a cognitive flexibility inventory (CFI). Data was analyzed using a one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test using SPSS software version 22. The results showed that all three types of rehabilitation programs have a significant effect on improving the working memory and cognitive flexibility of the elderly (P <0.001). Also, the mean of the groups in the pre-test and post-test stages showed that among the three programs, the combined rehabilitation program had more efficacy in improving the working memory and cognitive flexibility of the elderly and there was no difference between the two types of physical and cognitive rehabilitation programs (P> 0.001) According to the findings, combined rehabilitation programs can be effective in improving the working memory and cognitive flexibility due to the focus on both physical and cognitive aspects.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of eight weeks physical and mental rotation training on the balance and falling of elderly women. Method: The present study is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test and two-way ANOVA, which is also t-test designed. Tools included: mental rotation questionnaire and functional reach test. The participants included: 36 patients (12 subjects in three groups of physical training, mental rotation and control group) have been randomly selected among the elderly women of an elderly Centre in Tabriz. The training program was administered in two groups of physical training and mental rotation for eight weeks, at three sessions in a week and a group of control with no intervention.  For data analysis, the SPSS software, version 21 was used. Results: One-way ANOVA showed, the mean balance among the elderly women was significantly different from the physical training group. The relationship between post-test mental rotation and pre-test physical training was significant at the 0.01 level. Also, the relationship between the post-test mental rotation group and the pre-test mental rotation group was significant at the level of 0.05 and the relationship between mental rotation and balance among elderly women is significant at the 0.01 level, at the end the relationship between mental rotations and falling in the elderly was significant at 0.05 level. Conclusions: The results of this research indicates that the physical training and mental rotation training had a positive effect on the balance of the elderly women and it also showed that the elderly women of the physical training group had more improvement on balance than mental rotation groups. So, this research indicates that, cognitive abilities and movements could be facilitating and effective in this way.

Background: One of the most fundamental principles that should be considered in the care ‎of ‎the elderly is dignity. This study aims to analyze the concept of dignity in elderly by the ‎Rogerschr('39') ‎evolutionary approach‏. The most relevant concepts to dignity were included respect, independence and privacy ‎of ‎the elderly. There are four types of dignity. One of them is inherent dignity that everyone has it. ‎Merit, moral and personal identity are the other types of dignity. Maintenance of privacy, ‎personal ‎information, proper communication and sensitivity to the needs of the elderly are the ‎precedent of dignity. Identity preservation, personal participation, feeling of ‎security, achieving ‎the satisfaction by old adults, improving the quality of life, happiness, ‎elderly prosperity, and ‎so on are the antecedents of dignity.‎ Conclusion‏:‏ Dignity is a complex, abstractive, multidimensional, and evolutionary concept ‎that ‎should be considered as part of careerschr('39') thinking in order to provide appropriate nursing ‎care. ‎In this study, some of its most relevant dimensions were clarified in the nursing ‎context, ‎reflecting changes in some of the relevant features and concepts in recent decades. It is necessary that nurses consider them in their daily action.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between positive emotion styles with life expectancy and mediation of quality of life in male elderly. Methodology: This study was a descriptive-correlational study that aimed to investigate the mediating role of quality of life in the relationship between positive emotion styles and life expectancy in the elderly. The statistical population of this study included all elderly men over 60 years old in Neyshabour Welfare Office. The sample consisted of 132 elderly people who were selected through available sampling. Beck, Haffer & Scobler (2009), Schneider et al. (1991) Life Expectancy Questionnaire, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (1998) were used for data collection. Data were analyzed based on structural equations and correlation coefficient. Findings: The direct effect of positive emotion styles on life expectancy was 0.425 with a significance level of 0.008 and the indirect effect of positive emotion styles on life expectancy with respect to quality of life of the elderly was 0.404 and the corresponding significance level was It is less than 0.5, so the mediating role of quality of life is confirmed. The results of regression analysis and structural equations showed that there was a relationship between positive emotion styles with life expectancy and mediation of quality of life in male elderly. P≤ 0.001). The results also showed that the role of quality of life in the relationship between positive hyper-emotion style and hyper-interest with partial life expectancy was. (P ≤0.001) Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is shown that extrasensory styles such as being pleasant, socializing, inhibiting and accepting change in quality of life increase in elderly men, which leads them to experience higher life expectancy.

Objective: The goal of the present research is to determine the degree of the efficiency of group approach of ACT on the life quality of elderly people suffering from ARMD. Method: The research is a semi experimental study with the pre, post-test and experimental and control groups. The research population was the aging men and women suffering from ARMD selected from Karaj Nour-e-Didegan Ophtalmology Clinic. The sample of the research was 28 people were chosen through random sampling method and divided into two experimental and control groups. The program of approaching based upon therapy through ACT in the collective form within 8 sessions of 120 minutes. Results: The results were analyzed by studying the ANOVA with repeated measure and LSD and the result showed a significant meaning of the efficiency of ACT on sub scales of the life quality, physical sanity and psycho sanity. But no significant meaning was achieved to affirm the efficiency of ACT upon the environmental sanity. These effects did not persist on the process of follow- up. Conclusion: With regard to the research findings, one can employ ACT to improve life quality of the aged people who suffer from ARMD.

Background: The aim of the present study was to predict cognitive failures in the elderly based on personality dimensions and lifestyle and examine the mediating role of negative emotions as a model. Materials and Methods: This research is of correlation type and its statistical population included all the elderly in Tehran. In the present study, 150 elderly persons participated by convenience sampling method. Research instruments were cognitive failures, Eysenck Personality Inventory, lifestyle scale and Negative emotions. In order to analyze the data, the path analysis and stepwise regression analysis were used. Results: The results showed that personality dimensions and lifestyle can significantly and negatively predict emotions and cognitive failures and finally with respect to the proposed model, it was found that lifestyle and personality dimensions could significantly predict cognitive failures through the mediation negative emotions. Conclusions: The result obtained from this study can be used to identify the groups vulnerable to cognitive failures and make necessary recommendations to the experts to understand the causes and etiology, consultation and prevention of cognitive failures.

In urban planning, access to public spaces provides social relations for citizens. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the elderly's requirements in public spaces (case study of Sheet Bazaar, Zanjan, Iran) in order to recognize and classify their strengths and weaknesses and present more appropriate and effective strategies for their improvement. In this research, the related literature on old age and requirements of the elderly in public open spaces was reviewed and the factors affecting their use of physical places were determined at the first stage of the study. After reviewing the literature, some observations on the elderly were made and questionnaires were given to 80 users with the age of over 65 years old to serve the purpose of this study. The results of the questionnaires indicate that the frequent problems of the elderly in public open spaces were identified as follows: pollution (24.8%), pavements and roads (24.6%), traffic (14.4%), safety (12.2%), insufficiency of maintenance and management (9.6%), and socio-cultural problems (5.3%). In addition, the result of the observations in the main research area shows that the design properties had the highest and maintenance-management services had the lowest success percentages. In the end, some solutions were presented for designing new public open spaces and developing the existing spaces.

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stability (DNS) training on performance (lower limb strength, flexibility, fall risk) and quality of life in the elderly. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design. This research was performed on 30 elderly males, aged 60-70 years in Qom Province, Iran in 2021. The examined elderly were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups (n=15/group). Furthermore, the experimental group participated in three 45-minute weekly sessions of DNS training for 6 weeks. To collect the necessary information before and after applying the training protocol, tint tests, 30-second seat sitting test, sitting and delivery test, TUG test, and SF-36 questionnaire were used. The obtained data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Paired Samples t-test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The ANCOVA results indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in motor function, fall risk, quality of life, lower limb strength, and flexibility (P<0.05). The collected mean scores outlined that the experimental group performed better than the control group. Conclusion: Due to the effectiveness of DNS training on physical function and the very high importance of the elderly lifestyle, it is recommended that the provided training protocol be used for prevention and rehabilitation, increase the level of physical fitness and quality of life as a low-cost treatment, among the elderly.

Objective: This study aimed to model quality of life based on perceived stress and distress tolerance of the elderly in Ilam: The mediating role of hardiness. This applicable study conducted through descriptive-structural equation modeling. Method: The statistical population was elderly people of Ilam city (N=9496) during 2020. The sample size calculated using Power-G software (2007) as 384 cases. The sample selected by aim oriented sampling method based on inclusion criteria in public places of Ilam city. Participants completed the standard questionnaires of the quality of life World Health Organization (1996), Cohen Perceived Stress (1994), Distress Tolerance Scale of Simmons and Gohar (2005), and the Kobasa hardiness Questionnaire (1982). Data analyzed in SPSS25 and Amos -25 software. Results: The results showed that there is a significant relationship between perceived stress, distress tolerance, and hardiness with the quality of life of the elderly in Ilam city. Similarly, there is a significant relationship between perceived stress and distress tolerance with Hardiness. Conclusion: The results of the structural equation model showed hardiness has a mediating role in the relationship between quality of life with distress tolerance and perceived stress. They have a total, direct, and indirect effect on variables

Loss of balance and postural control are the main reasons for falls among the elderly adults that are considered as serious elderly health challenges with high impacts on the quality of life. The cerebellum is involved in postural control as one of the key neural structures that receives many inputs from the sensory systems. Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) is a popular noninvasive and safe method enabling the adjustment of cerebellar activity. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ctDCS on postural control variables among elderly population with a history of stroke. Thirty elderly individuals (60-75 years) participated in this study. After preliminary assessments of postural control strategies by post urography at six sensory conditions, they received five 20-min sessions of active ctDCS at 2mA (intervention, n = 15) or sham stimulation (control, n = 15) in a random manner. At the end of the stimulation process, postural control strategies were reassessed. After adjustment for pre-test values using the ANCOVA test, an improvement of the subjects' performance in the first four conditions was observed in the intervention group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). However, in the fifth (P = 0.24) and sixth (P = 0.58) conditions, there were no significant differences between the groups. The results of this study showed the significant effect of ctDCS on the postural control strategies. These improvements were reflected by normalization of strategy of postural control in elderly adults.

Background: Increasing prevalence rate of anxiety disorders in elderly populations especially due to physical limitations has become a key concern for health authorities. Aim : The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of cognitive and physical training on physiological and psychological Levels of anxiety in the elderly. Material and Methods: Forty-nine aged females (62.3±2.6 years) with BMI of 35-49.99 kg/m<sup>2 were assigned to one of three groups: Cognitive (n= 17), Physical training [yoga] (n= 16) and control group (n= 10). The cognitive training protocol included breathing and imagery/visualization techniques, which lasted for an 8-week period, three sessions a week. Yoga practices comprising Asana and Pranaya training, three times a week, for two months. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was given before and after intervention training. Biofeedback devices was used to monitor galvanic skin resistance and resting heart rate (as physiological and psychological markers of anxiety) in pretest and pre-test phases. The data were analyzed using analysis covariance and Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: It was indicated that anxiety score in cognitive training was significantly lower than control group ( P = 0.002) and also, anxiety score in physical Training was significantly lower than control group ( P = 0.01). No significant difference was found between the two training groups ( P = 0.18). Furthermore, both training groups had lower galvanic skin resistance ( P < 0.001). In addition, physical training group had a better status of resting heart rate after intervention compared to the cognitive and control groups (respectively, P = 0.04 and P = 0.001). Conclusions: It was concluded that the health benefits of Physical training [yoga] isn’t not specific to maintaining physical health, but also extends to lowering the anxiety in elderly with obesity. It was also suggested that cognitive training can mitigate the anxiety symptoms in the elderly while no physical changes were shown in cognitive training.

Purpose: Osteoporosis usually starts at a young age and progresses slowly over time. Therefore timely diagnosis of this disease plays an effective role in raising the level of health and public health in the society. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between some indicators of osteoporosis and bone mineral density of the pelvis in active elderly men. Methods: This study was semi-experimental. 25 active elderly men with the age range of 60 to 85 years were selected as available and with medical records. Anthropometric characteristics and serum indices of subjects were used as effective indices of osteoporosis. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to find the relationship between bone mineral density of the pelvis and effector indices, data analysis was done using SPSS version 26 software. Results: The results of this research showed that in the active elderly men, there is a significant relationship between age (P=0.044), body mass index (BMI) (P=0.021), serum calcium (P=0.037) and phosphorus levels (P=0.046) and alkaline phosphatase (P=0.016), with bone mineral density (BMD) of the pelvis. No significant relationship was found between vitamin D with BMD of the pelvis (P=0.055). Conclusion: In general, the results show that there is a significant relationship between bone density and body mass index, calcium and serum alkaline phosphatase indices in active elderly men. Therefore, it is possible to use the serum levels of these indicators in predicting this disease, and exercise may also be one of the influencing factors, so the effect of exercise on other bone density indicators can be investigated.

Purpose: The world is getting old. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease, which in case of no intervention, this ratio reaches 4 more advanced stages in people over 85 years old. Some methods have shown that they can be effective in preventing and slowing down the course of the disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of aerobic exercise program on the quality and some physiological parameters related to sleep in the elderly with Alzheimer's disease. Method: 22 elderly people with Alzheimer's disease were randomly divided into two groups of 11 people: aerobic exercise and control. The subjects in the aerobic training group practiced three sessions every week for twelve weeks and each session lasted for 45 minutes. The sleep quality of the subjects was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI). Physiological variables related to sleep (TG, TC, LDL, HDL) were also measured by blood sampling before and after twelve weeks of aerobic exercise Results: The results showed that the sleep quality of the subjects improved by 31% in the Pied Heroi group, which was statistically significant. In addition, there was a significant improvement in the changes of TG (p=0.034), TC (p=0.017), LDL (p=0.006), and HDL (p=0.016) in the aerobic training group. The results of the independent t test also showed that there was a significant difference in sleep quality between the aerobic training and control groups. However, no relationship was observed between changes in sleep quality and changes in physiological variables related to sleep. Conclusion: It can be concluded that twelve weeks of aerobic exercise improves sleep quality along with some physiological parameters related to sleep in the elderly with Alzheimer's disease and will be useful as a way to treat sleep problems in the elderly.