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To investigate the validity of the Japanese version of the Friendship scale in nonagenarians in Japan. Cross-sectional study. Spearman correlations were used to analyze data. Community. Volunteer samples. People aged 90 years and over who will donate their bodies to Sapporo Medical University for medical education and research after death (N=39). The protocols were approved by the Sapporo Medical University Ethics Committee (code: 1-2-30). Not applicable. The Friendship Scale is a short and user-friendly scale to measure perceived social isolation, but the Japanese version of the scale has not been validated. To this end, the original English version of the Friendship Scale was translated into Japanese, and the Japanese version were reviewed by a back translation procedure. The translated scale, in Japanese, was then administered to the participants. We also evaluated the UCLA 3 Item Loneliness Scale (UCLA), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale, to evaluate loneliness, geriatric depression, and subjective well-being, respectively. The score of the Friendship Scale was correlated negatively with the scores of the UCLA (r=-0.4484, p= 0.0048) and the GDS (r=-0.5328, p= 0.0006), and positively with the scores of the PGC Morale Scale (r= 0.3444, p= 0.0397). The score of the UCLA was also related positively with the scores of the GDS (r= 0.6067, p= < 0.0001), and negatively with the scores of the PGC Morale Scale (r= -0.4277, p= 0.0083). Moreover, the score of GDS was negatively with the scores of the PGC Morale Scale (r= -0.7191, p= < 0.0001). These preliminary results indicate that the Japanese version of the Friendship Scale is appropriate to evaluate perceived social isolation. In addition, the feeling of loneliness, depression, and subjective well-being were closely related with each other in Japanese people aged 90 years and over. The authors have no COI to disclose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the characteristics of physical activity, life space mobility, and mental functions of normal cognitive functions in Japanese nonagenarians. Cross-sectional study. Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman correlations were used to analyze the data. The study protocols were approved by the Sapporo Medical University Ethics Committee (code: 1-2-30). Community. Volunteer samples. Cognitive normal nonagenarians who are registered with a donor society of Sapporo Medical University "Shiragiku-kai"(N=39). Participants with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Japanese version (MoCA-J) scores of 24 or higher were defined as normal cognitive functions (NC) group (N=16), and those with MoCA-J score of 23 or lower were defined as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group (N=23). Not applicable. Differences in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form Total METS (IPAQ), the Life space assessment (LSA), The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center morale scale (PGC), the Lubben Social Network Scale Revised (LSNS-R), number of diseases and drugs between the SC group and NC group. Correlation coefficients between the MoCA-J and IPAQ, LSA, GDS, PGC, LSNS-R, and a number of diseases and drugs, respectively. IPAQ was significantly higher in the NC group compared to those in the MCI group (p=.020). All other measures had no significant differences between the two groups. The correlations between the MoCA-J and the IPAQ (rs=.345, p=.031), and the LSA (rs=.450, p=.004) were significant, respectively. All other measures were not correlated with the MoCA-J. These preliminary results indicate that the nonagenarians with normal cognitive functions had higher physical activity, compared with those who were MCI. Normal cognitive function of nonagenarians was associated with the level of physical activity and life-space mobility, but not depression, subjective well-being, loneliness, or illness. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the associations between physical performance tests and affect in older Asian adults with different cognitive states. Five physical performance tests, namely Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), Fast Gait Speed (FGS), 30-second Chair Stand Test (CST), Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Hand Grip Strength (HGS) were investigated for associations with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI). The results were also stratified according to cognitive status. Community. 993 older adults were recruited by convenience sampling around a Senior Activity Centre in central Singapore. Complete data was available for 858 individuals. Mean age and SD of participants were 67.55 ± 5.77 years, ranging from 60 to 88 years with the majority female. 78.7% were cognitively intact and 21.3% had Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Not applicable. This is a secondary analysis of a main study aiming to investigate the biopsychosocial profile of older adults. Physical Performance Tests and Affect assessments (GDS and GAI). The mean and SD of physical performance tests scores were: TUG 9.49 ± 2.23, ranging from 3.39 to 21.88; FGS 3.65 ± 0.88, ranging from 1.48 to 10.28; 30s-CST 14.65 ± 4.61, ranging from 4 to 39; HGS 24.45 ± 7.83, ranging from 5.73 to 64.27. TUG and FGS, independently, had significant associations with GDS in cognitively normal older adults (β 0.124, 95% CI 0.041 to 0.145, p 0.000, R² change 0.418 and β 0.097, 95% CI 0.052 to 0.300, p 0.006, R² change 0.414 respectively). For those with MCI, there was no significant difference in the scores. Physical performance tests (TUG and FGS scores, reflective of poorer lower body strength) were associated with depressive symptoms (GDS) only in cognitively normal older adults, and not older adults with MCI. Affective states should be considered in physical performance in older adults. Nil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the characteristics of physical activity, life space mobility, and mental functions of normal cognitive functions in Japanese nonagenarians. Cross-sectional study. Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman correlations were used to analyze the data. The study protocols were approved by the Sapporo Medical University Ethics Committee (code: 1-2-30). Community. Volunteer samples. Cognitive normal nonagenarians who are registered with a donor society of Sapporo Medical University "Shiragiku-kai"(N=39). Participants with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Japanese version (MoCA-J) scores of 24 or higher were defined as normal cognitive functions (NC) group (N=16), and those with MoCA-J score of 23 or lower were defined as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group (N=23). Not applicable. Differences in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form Total METS (IPAQ), the Life space assessment (LSA), The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Philadelphia Geriatric Center morale scale (PGC), the Lubben Social Network Scale Revised (LSNS-R), number of diseases and drugs between the SC group and NC group. Correlation coefficients between the MoCA-J and IPAQ, LSA, GDS, PGC, LSNS-R, and a number of diseases and drugs, respectively. IPAQ was significantly higher in the NC group compared to those in the MCI group (p=.020). All other measures had no significant differences between the two groups. The correlations between the MoCA-J and the IPAQ (rs=.345, p=.031), and the LSA (rs=.450, p=.004) were significant, respectively. All other measures were not correlated with the MoCA-J. These preliminary results indicate that the nonagenarians with normal cognitive functions had higher physical activity, compared with those who were MCI. Normal cognitive function of nonagenarians was associated with the level of physical activity and life-space mobility, but not depression, subjective well-being, loneliness, or illness. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic started in March 2020, caused over 6 million coronavirus disease (COVID-19) related deaths worldwide (1, 2). Access to and delivery of rehabilitation care were severely disrupted, and patients have faced several challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak (3). These challenges include addressing new functional impairments faced by survivors of COVID-19 and infection prevention to avoid the virus spreading to healthcare workers and other patients not infected with COVID-19 (4-7). In this scoping review, we aimed to develop rehabilitation recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic across the continuum of rehabilitation care. Established frameworks were used to guide the scoping review methodology. Medline, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL databases from inception to August 1, 2020, and prominent rehabilitation organizations' websites were searched. We included articles and reports if they were focused on rehabilitation recommendations for COVID-19 survivors or the general population at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two team members used a pre-tested Data Extraction form to extract data from included full-text articles. The strength and the quality of the extracted recommendations were evaluated by two reviewers using the GRADE approach. We retrieved 6,468 citations, of which 2,086 were eligible after removing duplicates. We excluded 1,980 citations based on the title and the abstract. Of the full-text articles screened, we included 106 studies. We presented recommendations based on the patient journey at the time of the pandemic. We assessed the evidence to be of overall fair quality and strong for the recommendations. We have combined the latest research results and accumulated expert opinions on rehabilitation to develop acute and post-acute rehabilitation recommendations in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Further and ongoing updates are warranted in order to incorporate the emerging evidence into rehabilitation guidelines. This symposium is sponsored by the COVID-19 and Frailty Task Force from the Aging Research and Geriatric Rehabilitation Networking Groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) have higher risk of developing geriatric syndromes. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between healthy aging and dementia, often co-morbid with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We recently showed an "accelerated aging model", where CP shares similar CVD risk factors with MCI, potentially accounting for CP's increased risk of dementia. In this study, we further examined sex differences between CP and MCI (aim 1) and within CP (aim 2). Cross-sectional study. An accredited clinical motion analysis laboratory at Children's Hospital Colorado (CP) and a university in Singapore (MCI). 72 adults with CP [mean (SD) of age=20 (5.3), Sex: men=47.2% and women=52.8%] and MCI [mean (SD) of age=71.28 (6.03), Sex: men=29.2% and women=70.8%]. We analyzed blood Pressure (BP), Framingham Heart Study Score (FHSS), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). N/A. Blood Pressure (Bp), Framingham Heart Study Score (FHSS), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) biomarker analyses were conducted. To address aim 1; BDNF and the FHSS were compared between CP and MCI using regression analyses, stratified by sex. For aim 2, regression analyses were performed to compare men and women outcomes within CP. Confounding effects of age and years of education were controlled in the analysis. Compared to MCI, women with CP had lower BDNF (β=-3.550, 95% CI=-5.659 to -1.441, p=0.001), while men with CP had lower diastolic Bp (β=-28.204, 95% CI=-52.148 to -4.260, p=0.022). Both women and men with CP also had lower FHSS as compared to MCI (β=-2.515, 95% CI=-3.721 to -1.309, p<0.001; β=-3.724, 95% CI=-5.561 to -1.888, p<0.001, respectively). Women in the CP cohort showed lower FHSS (β=-0.172, 95% CI=-0.310 to -0.033, p=0.016). We found sex-related differences in BDNF and CVD markers. Comparing across and within cohorts, although having lower BDNF levels, women with CP had better FHSS. These findings support our accelerated aging hypothesis, and further suggest sex differences in aging-related risk factors in CP, supporting sex-related precision medicine approach. None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To support the development of novel non-pharmacological interventions to prevent cognitive decline in mid-life, this paper examines playfulness as a psychosocial-ecological construct among community-dwelling adult populations. This study evaluates the evidence base for its impact on brain health components, and develops a preventive framework with inputs from older adults in community. Based on Deweyan person-place integration (Cutchin, 2004), playfulness is defined as an open, attentive, and fun-loving disposition which may be inhibited or facilitated by one's environment. We conducted systematic search on an interdisciplinary database. Search strategies included peer-reviewed journal articles with a focus on "brain health" AND "playful" AND "environmental stimuli" or related terms. We did not limit the search by language or time of publication. Titles on adolescents, athletes, psychological experiments (e.g., Ultimatum Game), and psychosis were excluded. Articles were not excluded on the basis of methods or quality. Multiple reviewers screened and selected the articles in stages, stating reasons for exclusion. 43 articles (11.6%) were selected out of initial results of 370 documents. Data were extracted independently by multiple observers for each article, following PRISMA-Sc guidelines. Study design, analytic methods, sample population, setting, and findings on playfulness domains and brain health components were tabulated. Study limitations and implications were analyzed. Articles were not assessed for quality per scoping review methods. Preventive interventions for brain health may be conceptualized as a "runway" with different focus across the lifespan. Playfulness domains included sports and culture (including exergames) (n=14), social environment (n=15), brain games and stimuli (n=14). More intensive interventions (e.g., exergaming) received more attention. Brain health components included various aspects of cognition (including MRI), mood (e.g., depression, agitation), and social health (e.g., lonely SNPs). Playfulness is an important interdisciplinary construct for non-pharmacological prevention of cognitive decline. The resultant "Brain Health Runway" framework promotes low-intensity primary prevention through everyday lifestyle in mid-life, and more intensive secondary interventions in later life. Future research on sports and culture could focus on their cognitive impacts. No conflicts declared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]