The Relationship between Handgrip Strength, Timed Up-and-Go, and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older People during COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions.

The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions affected physical performance and cognitive function in older people as they were confined to their homes. There is an association between physical and cognitive functions. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition that risks progressing to dementia. This study aimed to identify the relationship between handgrip strength (HGS), Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), and MCI in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The cross-sectional study recruited 464 eligible participants for an interview and anthropometric measurement. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B), HGS, and TUG were measured in addition to demographic and health characteristics. A total of 398 participants (85.8%) were found to have MCI when screened with the MoCA-B. Their mean age was 71.09 ± 5.81 years. Forward multiple regression analysis demonstrated that HGS (ß = 0.032, p < 0.001), education level (ß = 2.801, p < 0.001), TUG (ß = -0.022, p = 0.013), Thai Geriatric Depression Score, TGDS (ß = -0.248, p = 0.011), and age (ß = -1.677, p = 0.019) were associated with MCI. A decrease in HGS and an increased TUG might allow for the early detection of MCI and promote physical training in order to reduce the risk of MCI. Further studies can investigate multidomain indicators for MCI, for example, fine motor skills and pinch strength as components of the motor abilities.

Effects of Home-Based Nine-Square Step Exercises for Fall Prevention in Thai Community-Dwelling Older Adults during a COVID-19 Lockdown: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study.

The deterioration of muscle strength in aging has been associated with fall risks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults were restricted from doing outdoor activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Nine-Square Step Exercises (NSSE) on improving physical performance and balance in older adults at risk of falling. We conducted an open-labelled, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial in 46 (aged 65-84 years) community-dwelling older adults. They were randomly assigned to an NSSE group (n = 24) instructed to perform the program for at least 45 days over 8 weeks or a control group (n = 22). The outcomes were measured by the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand test (FTSS), and hand grip strength during the baseline, 4th and 8th weeks in both groups. A mixed-effect linear regression model analysis was performed to estimate the independent effect of NSSE by the intention-to-treat over the 8-week period. The NSSE group showed significant weekly changes in BBS (ß 0.57, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.84), TUG (ß -0.44, 95% CI: -0.74, -0.14), and FTSS (ß -0.52, 95% CI: -0.78, -0.25), demonstrating beneficial improvements in lower extremity and balance, whereas the control group did not demonstrate significant changes over time in any parameter.

Maternal Mental Health under COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand.

Numerous nations have implemented lockdown measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a consequence of the lockdown on daily living, social participation, and health service accessibility, vulnerable people, for example, new mothers, may experience an increase in mental health problems. This cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on Thai new mothers and the variables affecting their mental health. The survey data were collected from 903 Thai mothers with infants aged 0-12 months using an online platform and a face-to-face interview questionnaire survey between 17 July and 17 October 2020, during the first nationwide COVID-19 lockdown period. For the final analysis, there were 862 participants who completed all of the questions. The full exploratory analysis was performed by multivariable linear regression to identify the variables influencing maternal mental health. Our study demonstrated that new mothers reported feeling a high extent to some extent of worry (44.9%), increased appetite (40.4%), becoming easily annoyed or irritable (39.1%), and feeling down (33.5%), whereas 82.7% felt able to cope with the first lockdown situation. Practiced relaxation techniques were associated with positive maternal mental health (adjusted ß = 1.05, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.52, p < 0.001). The perceived impact of the COVID-19 lockdown was on the household's ability to pay for rent, to make mortgage payments (adjusted ß = -1.59, 95% CI -2.87 to -0.36, p = 0.011), the household's ability to pay for other essentials, such as utilities and medication (adjusted ß = -1.99, 95% CI -3.16 to -0.81, p = 0.001), household crowding after lockdown (adjusted ß = -3.46, 95% CI -4.86 to -2.06, p < 0.001), and not going outside or doing outdoor activities (adjusted ß = -2.22, 95% CI -3.35 to -1.08, p < 0.001). These impacts were significantly associated with negative mental health. In conclusion, our results emphasize the critical need for continuous monitoring of maternal mental health and developing an effective response strategy and activity for promoting maternal mental health under the stress of repetitive lockdowns and increased economic pressures.

Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Practices under Lockdown during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

A COVID-19 lockdown and restrictive order has had a large impact on the lives of people. This cross-sectional study was conducted to identify factors affecting breastfeeding among mothers living in Thailand during the lockdown. Data were collected from 903 mothers with infants ages 0-12 months from 17 July 2020 to 17 October 2020 after the first nationwide COVID-19 lockdown period by an online platform and interview questionnaire survey. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between the effect of lockdown and breastfeeding practices with potential confounder adjustment including maternal age, ethnicity, newborn age <6 months, family income below $16,130 per annum, education below undergraduate level, and working status. Mothers changed breastfeeding practices in this period (n = 39, 4.32%) including having changed from exclusive breastfeeding to combined breastfeeding with formula milk (n = 22, 2.44%), and having reduced the frequency when compared to before the pandemic (n = 13, 1.44%). The associated factors of changing breastfeeding practices were "contact with healthcare services" (aOR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.96, p = 0.04), "infant feeding support from health personnel" (aOR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.94, p = 0.035), and "lack family support and help with feeding your baby after lockdown" (aOR = 7.04, 95% CI 1.92 to 25.84, p = 0.003). In conclusion, this study showed a slight decrease in breastfeeding in the sampled mothers during the COVID-19 lockdown in Thailand. A long-term national surveillance system for maintenance of breastfeeding should be established. Health care service interventions and additional information are needed to support mothers and families for breastfeeding during pandemics.