ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The SINGER pilot randomized controlled trial aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study (FINGER) multi-domain lifestyle interventions compared to Singaporean adaptations. METHODS: Seventy elderly participants were recruited and randomized into FINGER (n = 36) or SINGER (n = 34) interventions; involving physical exercise, cognitive training, diet, and vascular risk factors management, for 6 months. RESULTS: Both intervention groups were equally feasible and acceptable with participants completing at least 80% of the interventions. Body strength improved in both groups (Pupper body = .04, P lower body = .06, P core = .05). More participants in the SINGER group attained good blood pressure control at month-6 compared to FINGER (41% vs 19%; P = .06). DISCUSSION: This study is the first to compare the feasibility of multi-domain interventions adapted to local culture with the FINGER interventions. The findings will be utilized for a larger study to provide evidence for the efficacy of multi-domain lifestyle interventions in preventing cognitive decline.
ABSTRACT
Background Mandated lockdowns and restricted activity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our everyday life1. Seniors, in particular, have been affected due to higher morbidity and mortality2. The World-Wide-FINGERS-SARS-CoV-2 survey is part of an international project, consisting of members of the World-Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS) Network for dementia risk reduction and prevention3. The study aims to measure the direct and indirect effects of the outbreak in midlife and older age. Preliminary results of this ongoing study is focused on lifestyle changes. Method The survey commenced in September 2020.Participants aged 45 and above were recruited from existing research cohorts, memory clinic patients and community subjects. Sociodemographic factors, health related information, impact on lifestyle and behavior as well as personality factors were collected through three modalities: self-administered online survey, telephone survey and in person with research staff. Result At present, 167 non-demented participants were included in the current preliminary analysis. Majority of the participants were Chinese (83.2%), aged 65 and above (59.3%), male (58.1%), with at least secondary education (80.8%). The survey found that 61.6% of the participants reported decreased contact with friends and relatives, with 22.2% reporting an increase in loneliness. Approximately one-third of the participants reported a decrease in physical activity (35.9%) and an increase in food intake (30.5% in snacking habits;25.1% in fruits consumption). Approximately half of the participants reported increase in usage of internet and digital services to keep in contact with family and friends. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has produced measurable impacts on lifestyle-related behavior of individuals. The decrease in social interaction and increase in loneliness during the pandemic due to government directive, along with concerns of contracting the virus highlight the importance of digital services for and digital literacy in older adults to keep them connected and supported remotely.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Examine compliance with personal protective measures in communities for the prevention and control of local transmission of the COVID-19, and explore indicators for such behavioural compliance. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design with a self-selecting sample. Data collected in February 2020. SETTING: Community dwellers in China. PARTICIPANTS: 2956 participants aged 16 and above completed the study and were included in the analysis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Nationwide COVID-19 survey. Demographics and self-reported compliance with four personal protective measures-home quarantine, mask-wearing, temperature-taking and hand-sanitising were collected. Outbreak severity and timeliness of personal protection order were obtained from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between demographic and social indicators and behavioural compliance. RESULTS: Compliance with home quarantine was only associated with gender (men, OR=0.61 (0.51-0.73), inverse association) but no other indicators. In contrast, men had higher compliance with mask-wearing (OR=1.79 (1.49-2.16)) and temperature-taking (OR=1.27 (1.05-1.53)). Compared with younger adults (≤20 years), the middle-age groups (31-40 and 41-50 years of age) were more compliant with all protective behaviours, except for home quarantine (OR=0.71 (0.54-0.93) and 0.67 (0.46-0.97), respectively). CONCLUSION: Male gender was associated with lower compliance with home quarantine yet higher compliance with mask-wearing and temperature-taking. The middle-age participants (31-50 years) had lower compliance with home quarantine but higher with other measures. These findings may be supported by the economic considerations and the long-inherited Confucian values among Chinese. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, public health authorities should tailor policy implementation to disparities in psychosocial indicators.