[A longitudinal study of the association between physical activity and apathy among community-dwelling older adults].

AIM: This study clarified the association between the amount of physical activity and apathy after one year among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Two hundred community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 74.3±5.0 years old, female: 52.5%) who participated in the 2018 and 2019 "Kasama Longevity Health Examination" were included. Apathy was assessed using the Apathy Scale (0-42 points; the higher the score, the lower the motivation), physical activity by Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS). The 2018 PASE data were grouped into tertiles. A multiple regression analysis was performed with the 2019 Apathy Scale as the dependent variable and the 2018 PASE as the independent variable, and the sex, age, years of education, economic situation, body mass index, chronic illness, smoking history, alcohol drinking habits, physical function, cognitive function, GDS, and the 2018 Apathy Scale as adjustment variables. The PASE subcategories (leisure-time, household, and work-related activities) were examined using a similar method. RESULTS: The mean Apathy Scale in 2019 was 14.0±6.2 for the low physical activity group, 12.8±6.0 for the medium physical activity group, and 10.1±5.9 for the high physical activity group. The high physical activity group showed a significant negative association with the Apathy Scale (B=-1.56, 95% confidence interval=-2.91 to -0.21, p=0.023). No association was found for any activity of the PASE sub-items. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of physical activity may protect against apathy among community-dwelling older adults.

[Changes in the physical fitness of elderly people in the COVID-19 pandemic: An examination using performance tests].

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to ascertain the physical-fitness trends among community-dwelling older adults using performance testing. The results of the evaluation conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared to data from the pre-pandemic period. METHODS: A total of 240 community-dwelling older adults who participated in a health checkup program from 2016-2020 underwent the following tests: grip strength (upper limb muscle), single-leg balance with eyes open (static balance), sit-and-reach test (flexibility), timed up-and-go test (TUG, functional mobility), 5 meter habitual walk (walking ability), and hand working with pegboard (hand dexterity). Linear mixed effect models were applied to the hierarchical dataset: repeated data (Level 1), pre-pandemic (2016-2019), pandemic (2019-2020) (Level 2), and individuals (Level 3). Fixed effects and interactions were estimated for the survey year (Level 1), and between the survey year and pre- and post-pandemic (Level 2), with the range of decline set measured in terms of its standardized partial regression coefficient, "B," from 2019-2020. RESULTS: The items for which significant cross-level interactions were identified. In males, the following items showed significant cross-level interactions: sit and reach test (B=-2.56, 95% CI: -4.45--0.66 cm), TUG (+0.39, 0.21-0.56 sec) and 5 meter habitual walk (+0.15, 0.04-0.27 sec). In females items except single-leg balance with eyes open showed significant cross-level interactions: grip strength (-0.58, -1.11--0.05 kg), sit-and-reach test (-3.53, -5.11--1.95 cm), TUG (+0.15, 0.03-0.27 sec), for 5 meter habitual walk (+0.14, 0.04-0.24 sec), and hand working with pegboard (+0.89, 0.28-1.51 sec). CONCLUSION: In both males and females, a significant deterioration in flexibility and mobility movement ability was observed in 2019-2020. In addition, upper limb muscle strength and hand dexterity movement deteriorated in females.

Customer satisfaction analysis of the healthy elderly to investigate the association among happiness, health status, and well-being using the Happiness & Health Feeling Scale.

[Purpose] In this study, we aimed to analyze customer satisfaction as a tool to investigate the association among happiness, health status, and well-being using the Happiness & Health Feeling Scale. [Participants and Methods] We included 17 elderly participants and measured the happiness and health statuses using the Happiness & Health Feeling Scale. We analyzed customer satisfaction by correlating subjective well-being with the questionnaire scores. [Results] The results showed a negative correlation between subjective well-being and the score on each questionnaire (correlation coefficient= -0.476). The elderly participants showed lower scores associated with self-esteem, including external appreciation and self-love, whereas high scores associated with eating and pleasure. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.814. [Conclusion] This study showed an inverse correlation between Happiness & Health Feeling Scale score and well-being, presumably because of low scores associated with self-esteem, which should be prioritized for improvement. The additional use of customer satisfaction analysis using the Happiness & Health Feeling Scale could be helpful to elucidate the subjective association between happiness and health-related factors.

Random-start ovarian stimulation with aromatase inhibitor for fertility preservation in women with Japanese breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Fertility preservation is an important issue for young cancer patients. Random-start controlled ovarian stimulation and double ovarian stimulation have been proposed for efficient oocyte retrieval within the limited time before cancer therapy. We aimed to clarify the efficacy of these new protocols within the Japanese population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study at a multicenter from February 2012 to August 2017. The study entailed 50 cycles with 34 patients who underwent fertility preservation due to breast cancer. Follicular phase or luteal phase ovarian stimulation with aromatase inhibitor was performed. A second ovarian stimulation was started with or without waiting until the next menstruation. We measured the number of retrieved oocytes and cryopreserved oocytes/embryos, the ratio of mature oocytes, and the fertilization rate. RESULTS: The numbers of retrieved oocytes and frozen oocytes/embryos were not significantly different between follicular phase and luteal phase ovarian stimulation. The number of retrieved oocytes was not reduced at the second ovum pick up compared to the first ovum pick up in the double ovarian stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Random-start controlled ovarian stimulation and double ovarian stimulation with aromatase inhibitor for breast cancer patients were effective protocols for retrieving a greater number of oocytes within the limited time.