The Effects of 12-Week Dual-Task Physical-Cognitive Training on Gait, Balance, Lower Extremity Muscle Strength, and Cognition in Older Adult Women: A Randomized Study.

This study aims to investigate the effects of dual-task physical-cognitive the training on body balance (BB), gait performance (GP), lower limb muscle strength (LEMS), and cognitive performance (CP) in a group of cognitively normal older adult women (n = 44; 66.20 ± 4.05 years). Of these, 22 were randomly allocated to the dual-task training (DT) group, and 22 participated in the control group (CG). Assessments were performed at baseline, after 12 weeks of intervention, and at the end of 12 weeks of follow-up, using the following instruments: Timed Up & Go (TUG), Timed Up & Go manual (TUGm), Timed Up & Go cognitive (TUGc), Balance Test (TEC), sit-to-stand test (STS), and verbal fluency test (VF). After 12 weeks of DT training, participants showed a significant time × group interaction in all motor assessments (BB, GP, LEMS), as well as in three cognitive tests (VF-grouping, VF-exchange, VF-total). No time-group interaction effect was indicated for the VF-category test. At all evaluation times, CG members maintained constant physical and cognitive performance. We conclude that 12 weeks of physical-cognitive DT training was effective in promoting BB, GP, and LEMS, as well as CP in cognitively normal older adult women, with lasting effects up to 12 weeks after the intervention.

The Association of Obesity and Overweight with Executive Functions in Community-Dwelling Older Women.

Among the risk factors reported for cognitive decline, the literature highlights changes in body composition. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between obesity/overweight and executive functions in cognitively normal older adult women. This cross-sectional study included 224 individuals (60-80 years), stratified into normal weight (n = 45), overweight (n = 98), and obesity (n = 81). As outcomes, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and Trail Making Test Parts A and B were assessed. We found positive correlations of BMI and WC with completion times of TMT-A and TMT-B, and a negative correlation of BMI and WC with education. ANCOVA showed an association between higher BMI and slower completion time of TMT-A, TMT-B, and ΔTMT (B-A). Impairment of executive functions of cognitively normal older women may be positively associated with obesity and negatively associated with years of education. The findings may contribute to designing strategies that make it possible to prevent cognitive decline in women during aging.

Influence of Drugs of Continuous Use on the Sensory Regulation of the Static Balance of Elderly Regular Practitioners of the Pilates Method / Influência de Fármacos de Uso Contínuo Sobre a Regulação Sensorial do Equilíbrio Estático de Idosas Praticantes Regulares do Método Pilates

The combination of types of medications can compromise the regulation of body balance in older adults. This study evaluated the effect of continuous use drugs on the sensory regulation of static balance in elderly women who regularly practice the Pilates method with and without a history of falls and estimate the risk of falls in this population. Cross-sectional study, carried out with 94 women (67.12±4.74 years) practicing Pilates, divided into: non fallers (n = 74) and fallers (n = 18). Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, medications, and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Confidence in Balance Scale (ABC) were applied. The examination of static balance was performed by the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB). The risk of falling was analyzed using an adjusted multiple logistic regression model, while the effect of drugs on falls was estimated by binary regression, results were presented using the odds ratio (OR). The CTSIB test revealed Condition 4 (OR = 3.038; 95% CI = 1.321­15.674) and Condition 5 (OR = 5.542; 95% CI = 1.678­18.303) as predictors of falls. Drugs showing an effect on fall were ß2 agonist associated with glucocorticoid (OR = 0.245; 95% CI = 1,233­2,400), thiazide diuretic (OR = 0.344; 95% CI = 1.122­2.234), statin (OR = 0.245; 95 % CI = 1,237­2,338), angiotensin II receptor antagonist (OR = 0,245; 95% CI = 1,236­2,339), beta blocker (OR = 0,245; 95% CI = 1,238­2,402) and anti-vertigo (OR = 0,245; 95 % CI = 1.230­2.399). Regardless of the history of falls, the risk of falling was present in older adult regular Pilates practitioners. Six different drugs for continuous use showed an effect on falls. (AU)

A combinação de tipos de medicamentos pode comprometer a regulação do equilíbrio corporal de idosos. Este estudo avaliou o efeito de fármacos de uso contínuo sobre a regulação sensorial do equilíbrio estático de mulheres idosas praticantes regulares do método Pilates com e sem histórico de queda e estimar o risco de queda dessa população. Estudo transversal, realizado com 94 mulheres (67,12±4,74 anos) praticantes de Pilates, divididas em: não-caidoras (n=74) e caidoras (n=18). Foram coletados dados sociodemográfico, comorbidades, medicamentos, e aplicado Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Escala de Confiança no Equilíbrio (ABC). O exame do equilíbrio estático foi realizado pelo Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB). O risco de queda foi analisado pelo modelo de regressão logística múltipla ajustado, enquanto, que o efeito dos fármacos sobre queda foi estimado pela regressão binária, resultados foram apresentados pelo odds ratio (OR). O teste CTSIB revelou a Condição 4 (OR= 3,038; 95% IC= 1,321­15,674) e Condição 5 (OR= 5,542; 95% IC= 1,678­18,303) como previsora de quedas. As drogas que mostram efeito sobre queda foram agonista ß2 associada com glicocorticóide (OR=0,245; 95% IC= 1,233­2,400), diurético tiazídico (OR=0,344; 95% IC=1,122­2,234), estatina (OR=0,245; 95% IC=1,237 2,338), antagonista do receptor de angiotensina II (OR=0,245; 95% IC=1,236­2,339), betabloqueador (OR=0,245; 95% IC=1,238­2,402) e antivertiginoso (OR=0,245; 95% IC=1,230­2,399). Independente do histórico de quedas, o risco de cair esteve presente em idosas praticantes regulares do Pilates. Seis diferentes medicamentos de uso contínuo mostraram efeito sobre queda. (AU)