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Stress, meditation and memory: An emerging hypothesis
Abstracts: Nonpharmacological and Lifestyle Interventions / 1 (Suppl 1) (2005) beneficial influence of ayurvedic approaches on key risk factors such as chronic disorders, brain injury, toxins, diet and digestion, and mental and physical exercise. P-169
STRESS, MEDITATION AND MEMORY: AN EMERGING HYPOTHESIS
Yogesh Shah1, Dharma Singh Khalsa2; 1Mercy/Mayo, Des Moines, IA, USA; 2Alzheimer’s Prevention Foundation, Tucson, AZ, USA The risk of cognitive impairment, primarily as a result dementia and other illnesses, increases with advancing age, and for many people is therefore associated with a dreaded fear of growing old and senile. Cognitive impairment is by no means an inevitable consequence of aging, however. On the other hand, cognitive vitality, the maintenance of robust brain function in every day life, which is essential to both quality of life and survival in old age, may require active steps in order to prevent the loss of brain function. In this workshop, we review the evidence in support of various lifestyle interventions mainly stress reduction that affect cognitive vitality in later life. A strong connection between cognitive and emotional health has been demonstrated in a wide variety of studies. Everyday cognitive functioning is also strongly affected by emotional stress and other factors which can negatively impact cognitive processing, and when persistent may also cause structural changes in the brain. How stress is perceived and experienced by individuals is highly variable and somewhat subjective. Studies in humans suggest that how stress is perceived is critical to how damaging stress is to the body and brain, and that it is the sense of being overwhelmed by stress that influences brain structures and may results in associated memory defects. Acute stress is also associated with impaired cognitive functioning, especially in older adults. In addition to environmental and other lifestyle changes to reduce stress, other clinical strategies for stress reduction may include prayer, meditation, art therapy, dance therapy, as well as exercise. In general, each of these activities are also considered to have positive effects on overall health, function and wellbeing. Frail elderly individuals with decreased brain reserve may be particularly at risk for stress-related cognitive impairment. Though not well studied in the elderly, more intensive training in stress reduction, including adaptive methods for responding to stress, may potentially be useful as a means to promote cognitive vitality for selected high-risk individuals. P-170
DIFFERENTIAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BETWEEN MCI AND NORMAL ELDERLY PEOPLE-TONE PROJECT
Morimasa Kato1, Teruyuki Motoyama2, Yuji Sakamaki2, Tsuyoshi Saito2, Takeshi Nishijima2, Takashi Asada3, Hideaki Soya2; 1 Foundation for Advancement of International Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan; 2Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry, University of Tsukuba Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan; 3 Department of Neuropsychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medication University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan Background: Several epidemiological studies have shown that higher physical activity would delay cognitive loss in elderly peoples. Indeed, walking habitat, leading higher physical activity levels, would be associated with reduced risk of dementia. However, it is not yet examined whether Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Ageing-Associated Cognitive Decline (AACD) would represent lower physical activity levels compare than normal subjects. If it is the case, aerobic capacity and muscle strength should also deteriorate. Objective(s): We aimed at examining whether MCI subjects, compared with normal subjects, show lowered physical activity levels, aerobic capacity, and leg muscular strength. Methods: We measured the five cognitive functions using battery of tests named ‘Five-Cog’ among 1896 elderly people living in Tone town, Japan. After excluding the data from those with missing, we used the data from 1711 of the 1896 subjects for the statistical analysis. Using the results of cognitive assessment, we made diagnosis of MCI and dementia. A compact accelerometer, detecting vertical acceleration, was attached to subject individ-
S63
ually for one week, to determine the mean actual physical activity levels. Acceleration signals are processed to obtain the sum of the rectified and integrated acceleration curves from measurement direction. The time for integration is set at 2 min and the finally obtained output is expressed as Kcal/day. We averaged numerical value for seven days. Aerobic capacity was measured modification of the Astrand -Ryhming test using cycle ergometer. Leg muscle strength was measured by isokinetic cycle ergometer. Conclusions: There was no change in physical activity levels between the MCI group and normal group. Aerobic capacity and peak torque of leg extension were similar in both groups. Findings do not support the hypothesis that physical activity levels deteriorates in MCI subjects, in contrast to their cognitive functions. P-171
A SYSTEMATIC EXAMINATION OF EXERCISE TRAINING OUTCOMES ON COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED AND COGNITIVELY INTACT OLDER ADULTS
Patricia C. Heyn, Robert S. Schwartz; University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA Background: Older individuals diagnosed with dementia have their customary occupational and social performance severely affected by the progression of this syndrome. Thus, it is suggested that older individuals with cognitive impairments do not benefit from exercise training as much as cognitively intact elders. A recent meta-analysis study (Heyn et al. 2004) suggested that exercise training could have a marked effect on the physical and mental health of older individuals with dementia. Despite the growing evidence of the benefits of exercise for the frail elder, none review has examine the effects of similar exercise regimens on cognitively impaired and cognitively intact older individuals. Objective: To evaluate in a systematic analysis the endurance and strength outcomes of cognitively impaired and cognitively intact older adults that participated in exercise trials. Method: An extensive literature search of published studies was colected for analysis. Study selection was based on including RCTs or well-designed control studies that meet the selection criteria. Preliminary Data Synthesis: A total of 36 trials met the inclusion criteria and results will be discussed. Selected studies were grouped into endurance and strength outcomes. Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest that cognitively impaired older adults who participate in exercise programs have similar endurance and strength outcomes as cognitively intact participants. The authors will focus on reporting the strength and weakness of the literature along with summary recommendation statements. P-172
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR OLDER PERSONS: FIELD TESTING OF THE COUGAR HOME SAFETY ASSESSMENTS VERSIONS 1 AND 2
Grace S. Fisher, Kristen Coolbaugh; College Misericordia, Dallas, PA, USA Background: Two groups of occupational therapy graduate students at College Misericordia in Dallas Pennsylvania, under the direction of their faculty research chair, developed versions 1.0 and 2.0 of the Cougar Home Safety Assessment and conducted field testing with the instrument in the homes of older persons. Objective(s): 1. To develop a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the environmental safety of older persons living in their own private residences (home or apartments) in the community. 2. To identify environmental safety hazards in the homes of older persons. Methods: In the first study, the residences of 14 older persons were assessed with the Cougar home safety assessment version 1.0. Assessments were conducted simultaneously by 3 different researchers. Feedback on the usefulness of the assessment was obtained from both participants and occupational therapy experts. A second group of students developed the Cougar home safety assessment version 2.0. This was done by revising version 1.0 of the Cougar instrument, in accordance with the feedback from
STRESS, MEDITATION AND MEMORY: AN EMERGING HYPOTHESIS
Yogesh Shah1, Dharma Singh Khalsa2; 1Mercy/Mayo, Des Moines, IA, USA; 2Alzheimer’s Prevention Foundation, Tucson, AZ, USA The risk of cognitive impairment, primarily as a result dementia and other illnesses, increases with advancing age, and for many people is therefore associated with a dreaded fear of growing old and senile. Cognitive impairment is by no means an inevitable consequence of aging, however. On the other hand, cognitive vitality, the maintenance of robust brain function in every day life, which is essential to both quality of life and survival in old age, may require active steps in order to prevent the loss of brain function. In this workshop, we review the evidence in support of various lifestyle interventions mainly stress reduction that affect cognitive vitality in later life. A strong connection between cognitive and emotional health has been demonstrated in a wide variety of studies. Everyday cognitive functioning is also strongly affected by emotional stress and other factors which can negatively impact cognitive processing, and when persistent may also cause structural changes in the brain. How stress is perceived and experienced by individuals is highly variable and somewhat subjective. Studies in humans suggest that how stress is perceived is critical to how damaging stress is to the body and brain, and that it is the sense of being overwhelmed by stress that influences brain structures and may results in associated memory defects. Acute stress is also associated with impaired cognitive functioning, especially in older adults. In addition to environmental and other lifestyle changes to reduce stress, other clinical strategies for stress reduction may include prayer, meditation, art therapy, dance therapy, as well as exercise. In general, each of these activities are also considered to have positive effects on overall health, function and wellbeing. Frail elderly individuals with decreased brain reserve may be particularly at risk for stress-related cognitive impairment. Though not well studied in the elderly, more intensive training in stress reduction, including adaptive methods for responding to stress, may potentially be useful as a means to promote cognitive vitality for selected high-risk individuals. P-170
DIFFERENTIAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BETWEEN MCI AND NORMAL ELDERLY PEOPLE-TONE PROJECT
Morimasa Kato1, Teruyuki Motoyama2, Yuji Sakamaki2, Tsuyoshi Saito2, Takeshi Nishijima2, Takashi Asada3, Hideaki Soya2; 1 Foundation for Advancement of International Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan; 2Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry, University of Tsukuba Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan; 3 Department of Neuropsychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medication University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan Background: Several epidemiological studies have shown that higher physical activity would delay cognitive loss in elderly peoples. Indeed, walking habitat, leading higher physical activity levels, would be associated with reduced risk of dementia. However, it is not yet examined whether Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Ageing-Associated Cognitive Decline (AACD) would represent lower physical activity levels compare than normal subjects. If it is the case, aerobic capacity and muscle strength should also deteriorate. Objective(s): We aimed at examining whether MCI subjects, compared with normal subjects, show lowered physical activity levels, aerobic capacity, and leg muscular strength. Methods: We measured the five cognitive functions using battery of tests named ‘Five-Cog’ among 1896 elderly people living in Tone town, Japan. After excluding the data from those with missing, we used the data from 1711 of the 1896 subjects for the statistical analysis. Using the results of cognitive assessment, we made diagnosis of MCI and dementia. A compact accelerometer, detecting vertical acceleration, was attached to subject individ-
S63
ually for one week, to determine the mean actual physical activity levels. Acceleration signals are processed to obtain the sum of the rectified and integrated acceleration curves from measurement direction. The time for integration is set at 2 min and the finally obtained output is expressed as Kcal/day. We averaged numerical value for seven days. Aerobic capacity was measured modification of the Astrand -Ryhming test using cycle ergometer. Leg muscle strength was measured by isokinetic cycle ergometer. Conclusions: There was no change in physical activity levels between the MCI group and normal group. Aerobic capacity and peak torque of leg extension were similar in both groups. Findings do not support the hypothesis that physical activity levels deteriorates in MCI subjects, in contrast to their cognitive functions. P-171
A SYSTEMATIC EXAMINATION OF EXERCISE TRAINING OUTCOMES ON COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED AND COGNITIVELY INTACT OLDER ADULTS
Patricia C. Heyn, Robert S. Schwartz; University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA Background: Older individuals diagnosed with dementia have their customary occupational and social performance severely affected by the progression of this syndrome. Thus, it is suggested that older individuals with cognitive impairments do not benefit from exercise training as much as cognitively intact elders. A recent meta-analysis study (Heyn et al. 2004) suggested that exercise training could have a marked effect on the physical and mental health of older individuals with dementia. Despite the growing evidence of the benefits of exercise for the frail elder, none review has examine the effects of similar exercise regimens on cognitively impaired and cognitively intact older individuals. Objective: To evaluate in a systematic analysis the endurance and strength outcomes of cognitively impaired and cognitively intact older adults that participated in exercise trials. Method: An extensive literature search of published studies was colected for analysis. Study selection was based on including RCTs or well-designed control studies that meet the selection criteria. Preliminary Data Synthesis: A total of 36 trials met the inclusion criteria and results will be discussed. Selected studies were grouped into endurance and strength outcomes. Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest that cognitively impaired older adults who participate in exercise programs have similar endurance and strength outcomes as cognitively intact participants. The authors will focus on reporting the strength and weakness of the literature along with summary recommendation statements. P-172
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR OLDER PERSONS: FIELD TESTING OF THE COUGAR HOME SAFETY ASSESSMENTS VERSIONS 1 AND 2
Grace S. Fisher, Kristen Coolbaugh; College Misericordia, Dallas, PA, USA Background: Two groups of occupational therapy graduate students at College Misericordia in Dallas Pennsylvania, under the direction of their faculty research chair, developed versions 1.0 and 2.0 of the Cougar Home Safety Assessment and conducted field testing with the instrument in the homes of older persons. Objective(s): 1. To develop a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the environmental safety of older persons living in their own private residences (home or apartments) in the community. 2. To identify environmental safety hazards in the homes of older persons. Methods: In the first study, the residences of 14 older persons were assessed with the Cougar home safety assessment version 1.0. Assessments were conducted simultaneously by 3 different researchers. Feedback on the usefulness of the assessment was obtained from both participants and occupational therapy experts. A second group of students developed the Cougar home safety assessment version 2.0. This was done by revising version 1.0 of the Cougar instrument, in accordance with the feedback from