ABSTRACT
Introduction: Balance in the elderly is one of the important issues, and imbalance can create irreparable problems for the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Frenkel balance exercise and aerobic exercise [walking] on improving the balance of elderly patients in Kerman province in 2016-2017
Methods: We used a randomized block design, with 4 participants in each block; 48 elderly men and women living in the nursing homes of Kerman province were randomly assigned to two groups, balance [Frenkel] exercises and aerobic exercises [walking]. The two groups performed Frenkel exercises and aerobic exercises [walking] for three 10- to 15-min sessions a week for five weeks. The balance time using the Sharpened Romberg test was recorded to measure static balance and the Get Up and Go test used to measure dynamic balance before and after the exercise program. To describe the variables studied, central tendency indicators and dispersion were used. Paired t-test was used to compare the time of balance before and after intervention and independent t-test to compare changes in balance time between two groups
Results: The mean static balance [with Sharpend Romberg test] was increased from 3.16 s to 6.01 s in Frenkel exercise, and from 3.33 s to 4.95 s in aerobic training group, indicating an improvement in the static balance after intervention. The mean time of dynamic balance [in the Get Up and Go test] during Frenkel exercise reduced from 17.07 s to 12.03 s, and during aerobic training from 17.08 s to 10.9 seconds, indicating an improvement in dynamic balance [p < 0.01]. However, there was no significant difference in the mean changes in the duration of dynamic and static balance before and after intervention in the two groups
Conclusion: Both Frenkel exercise and walking equally improve static and dynamic balance in the elderly in different settings
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease [AD] is a chronic condition characterized by gradual decline of mental abilities and behavioral disorders, which decreases the quality of life in elderly people. The aim of this study was to evaluate behaviors that may prevent elderly people from AD in Yazd
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 people aged from 60 to 70 years in Yazd. Cluster random sampling method was used for selecting the participants. Data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire that included demographic information and questions on AD preventive behaviors [physical activity, mental activity, nutrition, and social interaction]. The score range of each part and the overall behavior score was from zero to 100. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and application of descriptive and inferential statistical methods
Results: The mean score of preventive behaviors was 44.6. The highest mean score [56.48] was for nutrition while the lowest mean score [32.03] was for mental activity. Only 15 % of the studied elderly consumed fruit regularly in their diet, which was followed by consumption of vegetable, 11.4 % and fish 9.1 %. There was a significant positive correlation between education level and behavior score [p < 0.001]. However, there was no statistically significant gender difference [p > 0.05] in mean scores of the overall behavior and scores of married older adults compared to those of divorced or single, had a statistically significant difference [p = 0.007]
Conclusion: The overall AD preventive behaviors in elderly are undesirable, remarkably as noted in physical and mental domains. The majority of participants did not regularly have fruits, vegetables, and fish in their daily and weekly diets. Numerous socio-demographic factors affect these behaviors. More studies are required to identify barriers of healthy behaviors
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Due to the Increasing elderly population and the high prevalence of psychological, social and physical problems among them, this study was conducted to determine fear of falling and social participation status among elderly people in Mobarakeh city, Isfahan province, Iran in 2016
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 300 elderly residents of Mobarakeh city were randomly recruited by cluster sampling. Data collection tools were demographic questionnaire, Falls Efficacy Scale-International form and social participation scale of Canadian Community Health Survey. Mini Mental State Examination also was used to diagnose cognitive disorders. Data were analyzed with SPSS software using t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient
Results: The mean age of participants was 70.83 +/- 8.68 years and the mean score of fear of falling was 33.25 +/- 16.37 [16-64]. Regarding the fear level, 22.3 % had no fear, 34.3 % low fear, 20 % moderate fear, and 23% a high fear of falling. Mean score of social participation was 16 +/- 4.63 [8-40]. The most frequently reported social participation activity was attending religious ceremonies [99.7 %] while the least was attending professional and social forums [79.3 %]. There was an inverse significant correlation between fear of falling and social participation [r = -0.421, p < 0.01]
Conclusion: Level of fear of falling in the elderlies was moderate while social participation was low. By using preventive measures, effective education, psychological and social interventions, disease-control programs and removing the existing obstacles, the fear of falling could be reduced and social participation could be promoted among the elderlies
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Elder abuse may increase the vulnerability of ageing people to disease and decrease their general health status, so addressing the issue is essential for promoting elderly quality of life. The study aimed to examine the relation between abuse experience and general health among elderly people in Yazd city- Iran
Methods: The cross-sectional study carried out on 250 community-dwelling seniors in the city of Yazd who were selected with cluster random sampling. Data collection tools included, Iranian Domestic Elder Abuse Questionnaire and Persian version of the General Health Questionnaire 28. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient and linear regression tests
Results: Mean scores of abuse experience and general health among the elders were 11.84 +/- 12.70 [range 0-100] and 21.82 +/- 10.84 [range 0-84] respectively. General health status was more undesirable among elders who had experienced abuse than those who had not. Elder abuse subscales accounted for 17.2% changes in general health, which had only care neglect and physical abuse subscales with significant prediction effect
Conclusion: Abuse experience has negative effects on older adults' general health. care neglect and physical abuse play a more important role
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Given growing elderly population and high prevalence of oral and dental diseases in this age group, this study was conducted to investigate oral health status and related quality of life among older adults in Yazd located in central Iran
Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out on 210 elderly people aged >/= 60 years under the guise of Yazd health care centers who entered the study via cluster random sampling. Oral health was assessed by DMFT index; and self-reported oral and dental health scale was also tested. Further, to measure the oral health-related quality of life, the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index was applied. Data were then analyzed by SPSS software through descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient
Results: The mean score of age for the studied population was 67.22 +/- 5.62 years. Of whom 60.48% were women, 79.05% were married and 42.4% were edentulous. The oral health-related quality of life mean score was 42.46 +/- 5.76 [possible rang 12-60] and the DMFT index mean score was 20.33 +/- 4.76. The correlation of oral health-related quality of life score with age [r = -0.213, p = 0.002] and DMFT index [r = -0.542, p < 0.001] was inversely significant. Further, that had a direct significant correlation with self-reported oral health score[r = 0.302, p < 0.001]
Conclusion: Elderly people's oral health-related quality of life, self-reported oral and dental health status was not desirable. These factors have significant relationships with each other so that increase in DMFT index was associated with decrease in self-reported oral and dental health
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The existence of standard tools is one of the basic needs of scientists of healthy behavior for predicting health-related behaviors. The aim of the present study was to design a psychometrically sound instrument to measure the protection motivation theory constructs regarding self-medication for elderly Iranians
Methods: The study was conducted in spring 2016. The sample consisted of 196 Iranians between the ages of 60 and 74. The study took place in Ahvaz, Iran. The instrument included perceived susceptibility, severity, response costs, response efficacy, self-efficacy, rewards, and fear constructs. The qualitative component of the study, which consisted of interviews with experts and a systematic review of the literature, provided the data to write the items for the instrument, followed by determining the content validity. Principal components analysis with Oblique rotation was performed to extract correlated constructs. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin [KMO] and Bartlett's tests were performed to examine the suitability of the data for factor analysis. Cronbach's coefficient alpha was used to estimate the internal consistency of the scales
Results: The KMO test statistic of 0.90 revealed the sampling adequacy for doing factor analysis and Bartlett's test of sphericity was significant [p < 0.001]. Seven constructs were extracted based on Eigenvalues of >/= 1.00 and factor loadings of >/= 0.40. Cronbach's ? for the constructs, namely, perceived susceptibility, severity, response costs, response efficacy, self-efficacy, rewards and fear were 0.84, 0.86, 0.81, 0.82, 0.88, 0.89, and 0.85, respectively. The seven constructs accounted for 69.41% of the variation
Conclusion: The developed scales for measuring the protection motivation theory constructs regarding self-medication have acceptable psychometric properties among elderly Iranians
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Decrease in sleep quality is an age-related problem which appears in different features such as difficulty in sleeping, over sleeping and unusual behaviors during sleep. Regarding the importance of sleep quality among older adults and also its effects on their quality of life and physical and mental status, the study was conducted to determine the status and quality of sleep in older adults in Mehriz, Yazd province, Iran
Methods: The cross-sectional study used cluster random sample of 126 older adults. Data collection tool was a two-part questionnaire including demographic and sleep-related questions and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data were analyzed with SPSS software using one-way ANOVA and chi-square tests
Results: The most reported sleep quality related problems were pain [32.8%], waking up for toilet [28.6%] and nightmare [3.2%]; waking up problem for driving was the least reported problem [0.8%]. Sleep quality was worse among women than men [p = 0.02]. There was a statistically significant relation between sleep quality score and morbidity to thedisease of cardiovascular, diabetes, osteoporosis, breathing problems, visual and hearing problems, obesity and depression [p < 0.05]
Conclusion: Regarding the significant relation of sleep quality and some chronic conditions, the importance of educatingthe older adults who suffer from chronic conditions and also their families in this area is displayed. As with planning suitable interventions, we may not only increase the sleep quality among older adults but also treat or reduce the risk of chronic conditions among them
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Urinary incontinence [UI] is a common disorder among aging population especially women. Women are at more risk of UI than men, because of anatomic, social and cultural status and also because of pregnancy, delivery and menopause. Regarding lack of studies in the area in Yazd, the study aimed to find the prevalence and related factors to UI among aging women in Yazd city, Iran
Methods: The cross-sectional study carried out on 127 women aged >/= 60 years in Yazd city, in central Iran, who was selected by clustered random sampling. Data were collected with the Persian version of International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form and were analyzed with descriptive and inferential tests using SPSS software
Results: The mean age of participants was 70.17 +/- 6.50. The prevalence of UI was 62.2% while the prevalence of urge UI was 5.5%, stress UI was 39.4% and mixed UI was 3.1%. There was statistically significant relation between UI severity and history of diabetes [p < 0.01], glaucoma [p < 0.01], fecal incontinence [p < 0.01], menopause [p < 0.01] and pain in low abdomen [p = 0.02]. Also there was a significant positive correlation between UI severity and women's age and weight
Conclusion: Regarding the high prevalence of UI, especially stress UI and it's relation with some diseases such as diabetes and obesity, any intervention programs aimed to increase the healthy life style among women may be effective in management of UI
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Recent medical and health care improvement caused a remarkable increase in humans' life expand and subsequent increase in aging population. Beside life expectancy, quality of life is at the same importance, so the study aimed to explore the relation between quality of life and lifestyle among older adults in Yazd
Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out on 270 elderly people over 60 years old. A cluster random sampling was used to recruit the participant from 10 selected clusters in the Yazd city with at least 27 participants from each cluster. 12 item Short Form Health Survey and Iranian Elderly Lifestyle Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analyzed with descriptive frequency distribution and also X[2], and Pearson correlation coefficient tests using SPSS software
Results: The mean score of quality of life was 69.06 +/- 20.97 [range 0-100] and the mean score of lifestyle was 161.91 +/- 13.95 [range 42-211]. Quality of life and lifestyle had statistically significant relation with age, sex, education level, marriage status, retirement status, having job, income source, digestive problems, depression, joint pain, osteoporosis, hypertension, fall and sleep disorder. There was also a direct association between lifestyle and quality of life
Conclusion: Results indicated that most of the participants are at a desirable level of lifestyle and quality of life. However quality of life is in relation with some demographic factors and chronic conditions that must be addressed in interventional programs aimed at increasing the quality of life among aging population