Search

Many studies have suggested the possibility of using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) devices as neuroimaging tools in various patients. We aimed to evaluate whether fNIRS to measure the prefrontal cortex (PFC fNIRS) is suitable as a screening tool for cognitive impairments. Sixty participants, divided into normal, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia groups, were instructed to wear an fNIRS device during cognitive assessments to assess whether there is a significant difference in the PFC activity between the groups. A significant difference in PFC activity between the groups was observed during the verbal fluency test. Moreover, the PFC activity during the verbal fluency test significantly correlated with the existing cognitive screening tool score. These results suggested that PFC fNIRS can be used as a cognitive impairment screening tool for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. A larger sample size is needed to validate the potential of PFC fNIRS as a cognitive impairment screening tool., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Many people with dementia suffer from getting lost, which not only impacts their daily lives but also affects their caregivers and the general public. The concept of getting lost in dementia has not been clarified in the literature., Purpose: This scoping review was designed to provide a deeper understanding of the overall phenomenon of getting lost in people with dementia, with the results intended to provide caregivers with more complete information and enlightening research and practice related to dementia getting lost., Methods: A systematic review method was used, and articles were retrieved from electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Airiti Library, Cochrane Library, and Gray literature. Specific keywords, MeSH terms, and Emtree terms were used to search for articles on dementia and getting lost. A total of 10,523 articles published from 2011-2020 that matched the search criteria were extracted. After screening the topics and deleting repetitions, 64 articles were selected for further analysis. These articles were classified and integrated based on the six-step literature review method proposed by Arksey and O'Malley., Results: The key findings of the review included: (1) The concept of getting lost in dementia is diverse and inseparable from wandering; (2) More than half of the assessment tools related to getting lost in dementia include the concept of wandering; (3) The factors identified as affecting getting lost in dementia include the patient's personal traits, disease factors, care factors, and environmental factors; (4) Getting lost in dementia negatively affects patients as well as their caregivers and the general public; (5) Most of the articles in this review were quantitative studies and were conducted in Western countries., Conclusions / Implications for Practice: The scoping review approach may assist care providers to fully understand the phenomenon of getting lost in dementia, clarify its causes and consequences, and identify the limitations in the literature. The findings may be referenced in the creation of healthcare policies promoting related preventive measures and care plans as well as used to guide future academic research.

Purpose: Information and communication technology (ICT)-based training devices for older adults' care related to dementia are being developed to enhance older adults' cognitive functions. Older adults who require bicycle training devices can improve muscle strength and balance of lower limbs by continuously contracting and relaxing lower-limb muscles and improving cognitive function to prevent dementia. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of an ICT-based multicomponent program on body composition and cognitive function in older adults., Patients and Methods: In a randomized controlled intervention test on 20 people over the age of 60 (exercise group: n = 10; control: n = 10), the multicomponent program was applied to the exercise group twice per week, once per day for 12 weeks, at 30 min per session, whereas the control group was advised to maintain their usual daily activities., Results: Comparing body composition changes and cognitive function changes before and after intervention exhibited statistically significant differences in skeletal muscle mass ( P =0.01) and modified Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognitive score ( P =0.01) between the two groups., Conclusion: It can be difficult to be engaged in a simple repetitive exercise program. Therefore, to meet older adults' interests and expectations, a customized ICT-based multicomponent program, which can improve body composition and cognitive function in older adults and is believed to help prevent dementia, is recommended., Trial Registration: UMIN000042129 (https://www.umin.ac.jp/english/)., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2021 Kim et al.)