Association between Subjective Cognitive Complaints and Sleep Disturbance among Community-Dwelling Elderly Individuals in Japan.

Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are a crucial modifiable risk factor for dementia. There is increasing interest in the association between SCC and sleep disturbance; however, the effects of sleep disturbance on SCC development among community-dwelling elderly individuals in Japan remain unclear. We aimed to cross-sectionally investigate the association between SCC and sleep disturbance, with adjustment for multiple factors related to cognitive decline, among 241 community-dwelling elderly persons without cognitive impairment. The measures were SCCs (Kihon Checklist-Cognitive Function, KCL-CF), sleep disturbance (Japanese version of the Athens Insomnia Scale, AIS-J), general cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination), and depressive symptoms (five-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS-5]). The following data were collected: sex, age, educational history, whether the participants had visited a medical institution for diseases (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart disease), and the presence/absence of established risk factors (hearing loss, history of head injury, drinking habits, smoking habits, social isolation, and physical inactivity and activity). Based on the KCL-CF, 96 and 145 participants were considered to have and lack SCCs, respectively. On logistic regression analysis, the AIS-J score and smoking history were significantly associated with SCCs. Our findings suggest that sleep disturbance is associated with SCC development among community-dwelling elderly people in Japan. Evaluating and managing sleep disturbances can be important in preventing SCCs and dementia.

The Influence of Physical, Mental, and Cognitive Factors on Health-Related Quality of Life among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Focus on Central Sensitization-Related Symptoms.

Most older adults wish to maintain independence in their familiar communities. However, many experience pain and pain-related disabilities which reduce their health-related quality of life (HRQOL), leading to increased hospitalizations and mortality. This study aimed to determine the impact of physical, mental, and cognitive factors, particularly central sensitization-related symptoms (CSS), on the HRQOL of community-dwelling older adults. A total of 206 participants were included in the analysis, which measured HRQOL, basic attributes, physical functions and body pain, mental factors, cognitive factors, and CSS severity using validated tools. A correlation analysis was used to examine the association between HRQOL and each measure. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis (forced entry method) was performed to identify the factors influencing the HRQOL. The study found that pain intensity and CSS severity significantly influenced the HRQOL among community-dwelling older adults. The higher the pain intensity and CSS severity, the lower their HRQOL. The participants had mild pain and CSS, demonstrating the need to monitor, address, and treat even non-severe issues in community-dwelling older adults. This association, revealed for the first time in this study, suggests that approaches to reduce pain and CSS are important for maintaining and improving the HRQOL of community-dwelling older adults.

Effects of Long-Term Use of Insoles with a Toe-Grip Bar on the Balance, Walking, and Running of Preschool Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This randomized controlled study is aimed at investigating the effects of long-term use of insoles with a toe-grip bar on the balance, walking, and running of preschool children. Fifty-two preschool children were randomly assigned to an intervention group or control group. Children included in the intervention group wore shoes with insoles that had a toe-grip bar, and those in the control group wore shoes with regular insoles without a toe-grip bar for 4 weeks while they were at school. The center of gravity sway (total trajectory length and envelope area), walking parameters (walking speed, cadence, stride length, step length, stance time, and swing time), and time to run 25 m were measured before and after the intervention. The 25 m running time of the intervention group was significantly improved after the intervention (F = 5.66; p < 0.05). This study suggests that insoles with a toe-grip bar may contribute to improvements in the running of preschool children.

Association between occlusal force and physical functions in preschool children: a comparison of males and females.

[Purpose] To determine and compare changes over time in the physical strength of male and female children aged 4-5 years by measuring physical functions such as occlusal forces. [Subjects and Methods] The occlusal force, weight, height, grip strength, standing long jump, ball throwing, timed up and go (TUG), and the 25-m run time were measured of 331 children to determine their physical strength. All the children understood and were capable of completing all tests. [Results] Occlusal force among male infants significantly correlated with all items except ball throwing. Stepwise multiple regression analysis independently associated occlusal force with grip strength. In contrast, occlusal force of female infants significantly correlated with all the tested items. Stepwise multiple regression analysis also independently associated occlusal force with grip strength and TUG in females. [Conclusion] Grip strength indicating upper-limb muscle strength correlated with occlusal forces in both male and female children, whereas TUG, balance and walking ability indicating muscle strength of the lower limbs, correlated with items relevant to everyday functions in female infants. These findings show that different factors are involved in the occlusal forces of male and female children.