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Effects Of Physical Activity On Physical Health, Cognition, And Activities Of Daily Living In Persons At Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease Or All-Cause Dementias, Trevon Hodge

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study was to summarize the effects of physical activity (PA) as a nonpharmacological preventative measure in people at risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or all-cause dementia. It was hypothesized that persons at risk of AD or all-cause dementia who engage in sustained and continuous PA would fare better in terms of physical health, cognition, and activities of daily living (ADLs). A systematic literature review was conducted in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) using 12 keywords. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials with people at risk of AD or …

Analyzing The Use Of A Montessori-Based Activity & Its Effect On Engagement & Affect In Persons With Dementia: A Replication Study, Emilee J. Andersen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Activities are an essential element in institutionalized settings for persons with dementia. Challenges are faced, however, when developing and implementing stimulating and meaningful activities for this population. Over the past two decades, Montessori-based activities (MBAs) have been investigated as a means for meeting the needs of persons with dementia residing in long-term care facilities. MBAs were developed to enhance the quality of life for individuals experiencing dementia through maximization of engaging and meaningful activities. The purpose of the current study was to expand on the empirical literature related to the use of MBAs for persons with dementia by replication of …

Trained And Derived Relational Responding, Jonathan D. Sober

Wayne State University Dissertations

Introduction: Persons with preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) show impairments in semantic and associative memory years before the onset of clinical symptoms. However, many tasks used to assess these deficits make use of previously learned stimuli, often within well-established semantic networks that may be more resistant to disease-related changes. No research has been conducted examining trained and derived relational responding (TDRR) in older adults or in the presence of AD risk factors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a novel TDRR task would be sensitive to age-related and disease-risk cognitive changes. Method: Thirty younger adults and 15 older …

Cholinergic Antagonist Use And The Risk Of Developing Dementia In Persons Aged 65 Years And Olders, Heidi N. Artz Schmaltz

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

Anticholinergic medications cause a therapeutic or negative effect in the human body by blocking neuronal cholinergic receptors, thereby inhibiting the binding of acetylcholine in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. These medications have short-term side effects including dry mouth, constipation, visual impairments, or delirium; however, research regarding the long-term side effects is limited. The purpose of this systemic literature review is to determine the correlation between prolonged exposure to anticholinergic medications and the development of dementia. The literature databases PubMed, Cochrane Review, Science Direct (Elsevier), and DynaMed were utilized in this review. Journal articles published within the …

Loneliness, Sense Of Control, And Risk Of Dementia In Healthy Older Adults: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Hwajin Yang, Germaine Tng, Wee Qin Ng, Sujin Yang

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Objectives: Despite the rising prevalence of dementia, little research has been conducted to identify modifiable psychological factors that alleviate the risk of dementia in older adults and the underlying mechanisms. Given that loneliness is, in part, concomitant with a weakened sense of control, we examined whether sense of control would mediate the relation between loneliness and dementia risk. Further, considering that working -memory capacity is a critical cognitive resource that serves as a buffer against age-related cognitive decline, we examined a second-order moderated mediational model whereby working-memory capacity moderates the relation between control beliefs and dementia risk in older adults. …

Caregiver Knowledge And Perceptions Of Dementia-Specific Nutritional Approaches, Danielle Freitag

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Dementia is a syndrome that affects millions worldwide. The syndrome can cause great distress not only for the diagnosed individual but also for the family and friends who provide care. It is known that many caregivers for people with dementia face difficulties in planning and preparing meals, feeding, and making nutritional decisions for their loved ones. Several diets have been shown to assist with dementia-related symptoms pre and post diagnosis. However, what is unknown is whether caregivers are aware of the benefits of these diets and what the barriers are to implementing them into their nutrition regime. This study surveyed …

The Effects Of Music Therapy On Older Adults With Dementia: A Systematic Review, Sydney Swogger, Kahli Throckmorton

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Older adults with dementia experience difficulties throughout the progression of the disease, including decreased quality of life and mental health (Weise et al., 2018). Nonpharmacological interventions, such as music therapy and music listening, may be one solution to affect mental health outcomes in this population. The two authors seek to answer the following PICOT formatted question: In older adults, ages 65 and older, with dementia, how does music therapy, compared with treatment as usual, affect depression and anxiety? Twenty primary sources, published from 2014 to 2019, were reviewed and critically appraised. The sources were diverse with regards to country of …

Reducing Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia And Supporting Memory Care: A Multi-Sensory Approach, Olivia Bernas

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"Dementia is a progressive disease that encompasses a multitude of changes in the body and mind. Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) may face changes affecting their ability to engage in familiar roles, routines, activities of daily living, leisure, and community engagement. As individuals with ADRD progress throughout each of the stages of dementia, communication may become increasingly difficult, which can subsequently lead to frustration, agitation, depression and other forms of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD)."

Evidenced-Based Program Adaptation For Individuals With Dementia In A Memory Care, Kaley Kennedy

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

"Dementia is an umbrella term utilized to encompass memory loss and a group of symptoms which can interfere with overall quality of life and activities of daily living. Early signs and symptoms of dementia include but are not limited to short-term and long-term memory difficulties, increasing confusion, changes in personality, decreased cognitive function, decreased ability to care for oneself, and increased difficulties with communication and language. With the prevalence of dementia diagnoses on the rise – projected to increase tremendously by 2025, there is a need for specialized care in memory care units. The purpose of this doctoral experiential was …

Handicraft Art Leisure Activities And Cognitive Reserve, Genna Mashinchi

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

With increasing age, older individuals face a higher likelihood of developing dementia. The rate of cognitive decline resulting from dementia is not equivalent for all, as some patients with dementia are able to function independently longer than others, despite having similar disease burden. The cognitive reserve (CR) theory provides one explanation for the differing rate of decline. CR suggests that there are factors — most notably, educational and occupational attainment — that can protect against the cognitive decline that is a hallmark of dementia. Although the beneficial effects of these notable CR factors are clear, they may not be modifiable. …

Time Travellers And Storytellers: Representations Of Dementia In Children's Fantasy Literature, Tracey Guiry

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

This creative writing research-based thesis asks how dementia can be represented to primary-aged children through a fantasy fiction novel and offers an original fantasy fiction novel, The Battle for Spanoak (Guiry, 2020), written for children between the ages of 7 and 12-years-old as an original contribution to the corpus of dementia writing for children. The critical component to this thesis explores how generic fantasy devices and structures impact on the representation of dementia through ‘storytelling’ and ‘memory’ and describes the particular relevance of ‘time’ as a narrative device in dementia fantasy narratives. I have also contributed a corpus of dementia …

Supporting Families Of Patients With Dementia At End-Of-Life In Hospital, Felicity Moon, Fiona Mcdermott, David Kissane

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: There are barriers to implementing person-and family-centred end-of-life care for people with dementia in hospitals. Nursing care for people with dementia is enhanced through family involvement. However, families report unmet needs during admissions contributing to distress and dissatisfaction. Furthermore, little is known about families’ needs during end-of-life care for people with dementia in hospital.

Aim: This study examined perceptions of interpersonal care during end-of-life for patients with dementia.

Methods: This research used a qualitative approach framed through a social constructionist and complex systems theoretical frameworks. Hospital clinicians (n = 20) and bereaved family members (n = 12) of deceased …

Association Of Physical Frailty With Cognitive Function And Mood In Older Adults Without Dementia And Depression, Rana Tuna Doğrul, Hacer Doğan Varan, Muhammet Cemal Kizilarslanoğlu, Mustafa Kemal Kiliç, Özgür Kara, Güneş Arik, Meltem Gülhan Hali̇l, Mustafa Cankurtaran, Burcu Balam Doğu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Physical frailty is thought to be related with a decline in cognitive function, mood, and social activities, especially in patients with depression and dementia. It is not clear whether or not physical frailty is associated with an impairment in cognitive function and mood in patients without dementia and depression. In this study, we evaluated the association of physical frailty with cognitive function and mood in geriatric patients without dementia and depression. Material and methods: In this study, 612 patients aged 65 years and over were evaluated. Physical frailty was assessed by using Fried criteria. Furthermore, comprehensive geriatric assessment was …

Brain Α-Tocopherol Concentration Is Inversely Associated With Neurofibrillary Tangle Counts In Brain Regions Affected In Earlier Braak Stages: A Cross-Sectional Finding In The Oldest Old, J. Tanprasertsuk, T.M. Scott, M.A. Johnson, L.W. Poon, P.T. Nelson, A. Davey, J.L. Woodard, R. Vishwanathan, A.K. Barbey, K. Barger, X.-D. Wang, E.J. Johnson

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Objectives: Higher vitamin E status has been associated with lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, evidence of the association of vitamin E concentration in neural tissue with AD pathologies is limited. Design: The cross-sectional relationship between the human brain concentrations of α- and γ-tocopherol and the severity of AD pathologies – neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) and neuritic plaque (NP) – was investigated. Setting & Participants: Brains from 43 centenarians (≥ 98 years at death) enrolled in the Phase III of the Georgia Centenarian Study were collected at autopsy. Measurements: Brain α- and γ-tocopherol concentrations (previously reported) …

Gait And Balance Disturbances Are Common In Young Urbanites And Associated With Cognitive Impairment. Air Pollution And The Historical Development Of Alzheimer's Disease In The Young, Lilian Calderón-Garcidueñas, Ana Karen Torres-Solorio, Randy J. Kulesza, Ricardo Torres-Jardón, Luis Oscar González-González, Berenice García-Arreola, Diana A. Chávez-Franco, Samuel C. Luévano-Castro, Ariatna Hernández-Castillo, Esperanza Carlos-Hernández, Edelmira Solorio-López, Celia Nohemí Crespo-Cortés, Edgar García-Rojas, Partha S. Mukherjee, Martha Morales-Aguirre

Journal Articles

To determine whether gait and balance dysfunction are present in young urbanites exposed to fine particular matter PM2.5 ≥ annual USEPA standard, we tested gait and balance with Tinetti and Berg tests in 575 clinically healthy subjects, age 21.0 ± 5.7 y who were residents in Metropolitan Mexico City, Villahermosa and Reynosa. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was also applied to an independent cohort n:76, age 23.3 ± 9.1 y. In the 575 cohort, 75.4% and 34.4% had abnormal total Tinetti and Berg scores and high risk of falls in 17.2% and 5.7% respectively. BMI impacted negatively Tinetti and Berg performance. …

Harmony Study: Pimavanserin Significantly Reduces Risk Of Relapse Of Dementia-Related Psychosis, Erin P. Foff, Jeffrey L. Cummings, Maria-Eugenia Soto-Martin, Pierre Tariot, Bradley Mcevoy, Srdjan Stankovic

Integrated Health Sciences Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

The Perceived Challenge Of Everyday Technologies In Sweden, The United States And England: Exploring Differential Item Functioning In The Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire, Sarah Wallcook, Camilla Malinowsky, Louise Nygård, Georgina Charlesworth, Jenica Lee, Ryan Walsh, Sophie Gaber, Anders Kottorp

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Nursing Staffing And State-Level Dementia Training In Relation To Inappropriate Psychotropic Medication Use In Nursing Home Residents With Dementia, Jung Min Yoon

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

This study was to examine the occurrence of F-758 citations in relation to NH nurse staffing and state-level NH in-service dementia training requirements.

Supporting People With Dementia- Understanding Their Interactions With Mixed Reality Technologies, Shital Desai, Alethea Blackler, Deborah Fels, Arlene Astell

DRS Biennial Conference Series

Emerging technologies such as Mixed Reality Technologies (MRTs) could offer possibilities to support People with Dementia (PWD). This study examined interactions of PWD with two MRTs - HoloLens and Osmo. Ten participants (MoCA = 18 to 23, Age= 63 to 88 years) played a game of Tangram on Osmo. Six of these participants played Young Conker on HoloLens. The study found that PWD used gestural actions in the physical world more correctly than speech. Audio prompts in human voice were more correctly perceived than visual prompts. Physical affordances, embodied actions and familiarity to verbal instructions contribute to this success. Visual …

Involuntary Treatment In Dementia Care At Home: Results From The Netherlands And Belgium, Angela M. H. J. Mengelers, Vincent R. A. Moermans, Michel H. C. Bleijlevens, Hilde Verbeek, Elizabeth Capezuti, Frans Tan, Koen Milisen, Jan P. H. Hamers

Publications and Research

Aims and objectives: To gain insight into the request, use and associated factors of involuntary treatment in people with dementia (PwD) receiving professional home care in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Background: Most of the PwD remain living at home as long as possible. Due to complex care needs, this can result in an increased risk for care provided against the wishes of the client and/or to which the client resists, referred to as involuntary treatment.

Design: Secondary data analyses of two cross-sectional surveys.

Methods: Dementia case managers and district nurses filled in a questionnaire for each PwD in their …

Screening For Delirium In The Emergency Department, Melissa Minks

Dissertations

Abstract

Delirium is a problem for many older adults who are acutely ill. Delirium often comes on suddenly, can be severe, and is often difficult to diagnose, especially in the presence of dementia. Missed delirium has a mortality rate of 30.8% and costs millions. What is the purpose of this study?

Methods The 4A’s Test screening instrument was implemented and evaluated in the Emergency Department of a rural Midwestern hospital from May 1, 2019 through August 31, 2019.

Results There were 122 participants in the study with 61 in each cohort. In 2018, three (5%) were diagnosed with delirium without …

World-Wide Fingers Network: A Global Approach To Risk Reduction And Prevention Of Dementia, Miia Kivipelto, Francesca Mangialasche, Heather M. Snyder, Ricardo Allegri, Sandrine Andrieu, Hidenori Arai, Laura Baker, Sylvie Belleville, Henry Brodaty, Sonia M. Brucki, Ismael Calandri, Paulo Caramelli, Christopher Chen, Howard Chertkow, Effie Chew, Seong H. Choi, Neerja Chowdhary, Lucía Crivelli, Rafael De La Torre, Yifeng Du, Tarun Dua, Mark Espeland, Howard H. Feldman, Maris Hartmanis, Tobias Hartmann, Megan Heffernan, Christiani J. Henry, Chang H. Hong, Krister Hakansson, Takeshi Iwatsubo, Jee H. Jeong, Gustavo Jimenez-Maggiora, Edward H. Khoo, Lenore J. Launer, Jenni Lehtisalo, Francisco Lopera, Pablo Martinez-Lage, Ralph Martins, Lefkos Middleton, Jose L. Molinuevo, Manuel Montero-Odasso, So Y. Moon, Kristal Morales-Perez, Ricardo Nitrini, Haakon B. Nygaard, Yoo K. Park, Markku Peltonen, Chengxuan Qiu, Yakeel T. Quiroz, Rema Raman, Naren Rao, Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath, Anna Rosenberg, Takashi Sakurai, Rosa M. Salinas, Philip Scheltens, Gustavo Sevlever, Hilkka Soininen, Ana L. Sosa, Claudia K. Suemoto, Mikel Tainta-Cuezva, Lina Velilla, Yongxiang Wang, Rachel Whitmer, Xin Xu, Lisa J. Bain, Alina Solomon, Tiia Ngandu, Maria C. Carrillo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Alzheimer's Association Reducing the risk of dementia can halt the worldwide increase of affected people. The multifactorial and heterogeneous nature of late-onset dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), indicates a potential impact of multidomain lifestyle interventions on risk reduction. The positive results of the landmark multidomain Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) support such an approach. The World-Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS), launched in 2017 and including over 25 countries, is the first global network of multidomain lifestyle intervention trials for dementia risk …

A Systematic Review Of The Efficacy Of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (Cst) On Quality Of Life In Persons With Dementia, R. Babiarz, B. Haden, S. Karlin, J. Mark, A. Williams, M. Ferraro, M. C. Potvin

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Quality of life (QoL) is an established outcome measure of patients with dementia and is strongly influenced by an individual's environment and mood. While there are many outcomes that can be examined with Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) interventions, this systematic review focused on quality of life.

Brain Volumes And Dual-Task Performance Correlates Among Individuals With Cognitive Impairment: A Retrospective Analysis, Jon Basterrechea, Daniel Krist, Caitlin Moreland, Morgan Wise

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is a prevalent condition characterized by loss of brain volume and changes in cognition, motor function, and dual-tasking ability. Objective: To examine associations between brain volumes, dual task performance, and gait and balance in those with CI to elucidate the mechanisms underlying loss of function. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with CI and compared brain volumes, dual task performance, and measures of gait and balance. Results: Greater cognitive function and combined dual task effect (DTE) is associated with smaller brain volumes. In contrast, greater motor DTE is associated with larger …

Alumna Valued ‘Community’ Aspect Of Classes In Goal—The Degree Completion Program, Office Of University Communications

Gardner-Webb NewsCenter Archive

Kara M. Finch, ’05, entered the human services field, because she saw the toll caregiving took on her grandmother.

Remote Monitoring Technologies In Dementia Care: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Family Caregivers’ Experiences, Martha Snyder, Laurie Dringus, Manon Maitland Schladen, Ronald Chenail, Elizabeth Oviawe

The Qualitative Report

The desire to maintain an independent lifestyle is one shared by an increasing number of older adults. Adult children, spouses, siblings, and other relatives, also known as family caregivers, play an integral role in helping their loved ones maintain independence. Remote monitoring technologies (RMTs) such as wearable sensors, mobile emergency devices, smartphone apps, and webcams can be used to monitor, sense, record, and communicate a person’s daily activities. However, understanding is limited of the family caregiver’s needs and perceptions of RMTs used in a home-based setting. The purpose was to explore how family caregivers perceive RMTs and their use for …

Collage Therapy With Elders: Group Socialization And Communication Beyond Words, Cassandra Knowles-True

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Abstract

Dementia is a cognitive disease which impacts a person’s ability to verbally communicate and to emotionally socialize due to degeneration of the brain. Nonpharmacological approaches to dementia care have become more common as we look for more holistic approaches to caring for the entire person, and not just the brain functions and limitations. A new focus on the social and emotional needs of individuals with dementia has led to the use of expressive arts therapies, as therapeutic interventions in dementia care, in many nursing homes and senior centers. Collage therapy is particularly accessible, as an arts-based intervention, as the …

Barriers To Patient-Centered Care For Dementia Clients In The Long-Term Living Setting, Shaina Gaba

Nursing | Senior Theses

When caring for people with severe dementia, the concept of the person being central is increasingly advocated in clinical practice. Person-centered care acknowledges autonomy in all facets of care. Recent studies examine behavioral changes in individuals with dementia and how health care teams address these alterations. Health care providers are vital for effective holistic management. Therefore, this review focuses on the current knowledge regarding care goals, practices, and perceptions of the client battling with cognitive decline. A literature review ascertains that clients with dementia respond to interventions and have decreased negative health outcomes, when providers ensure values and needs are …

Early Detection Of Mild Cognitive Impairment With In-Home Sensors To Monitor Behavior Patterns In Community-Dwelling Senior Citizens In Singapore: Cross-Sectional Feasibility Study, Iris Rawtaer, Rathi Mahendran, Ee Heok Kua, Hwee-Pink Tan, Hwee Xian Tan, Tih-Shih Lee, Tze Pin Ng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Background: Dementia is a global epidemic and incurs substantial burden on the affected families and the health care system. A window of opportunity for intervention is the predementia stage known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Individuals often present to services late in the course of their disease and more needs to be done for early detection; sensor technology is a potential method for detection.Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to establish the feasibility and acceptability of utilizing sensors in the homes of senior citizens to detect changes in behaviors unobtrusively.Methods: We recruited 59 community-dwelling seniors (aged >65 years …

Rural Caregivers: Identification Of Informational Needs Through Telemedicine Questions, Shoshana H. Bardach, Allison Gibson, Kelly Parsons, April Stauffer, Gregory A. Jicha

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and associated disorders is increasing. Rural residents in the United States have less access to memory care specialists and educational and community resources than in other areas of the country. Over a decade ago, we initiated an interdisciplinary rural caregiving telemedicine program to reach Kentucky residents in areas of the state where resources for supporting individuals with dementia are limited. Telemedicine programs involve a short informational presentation followed by a question and answer session; programs are offered 4 times a year. The purpose of this study was to explore questions asked over 1 year …