Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
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Review Meta Analysis
Marital Status and Risk of Physical Frailty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Evidence on associations between marital status and frailty is limited. The objectives of this study were to perform a systematic review for associations between marital status and physical frailty and to perform a meta-analysis to combine findings. ⋯ Three and 35 studies, respectively, were found providing longitudinal and cross-sectional data regarding associations between marital status and frailty among community-dwelling older people. A meta-analysis of cross-sectional data showed almost twice higher frailty risk in unmarried individuals compared with married individuals. Marital status should be recognized as an important factor, and more longitudinal studies controlling for potential confounding factors are needed.
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To examine the association between benzodiazepine use and the risk of dementia. ⋯ A significant association was observed between benzodiazepine use and the risk of dementia, compared with nonusers. However, a null or negative association was observed with the use of the active comparator, suggesting the absence of a causal association between dementia and benzodiazepine use.
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Observational Study
The Association Between Psychological Resilience and Physical Function Among Older Adults With Hip Fracture Surgery.
To examine the associations of prefracture psychological resilience and prefracture general mental health with physical function among older adults with hip fracture surgery. ⋯ Psychological resilience is associated with physical function among older adults with hip fracture surgery, independent from general mental health. Our findings suggest the potential for interventions targeting psychological resilience for these patients and call for more studies on psychological factors affecting physical function recovery after hip fracture surgery.
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Virus infection is underevaluated in older adults with severe acute respiratory infections (SARIs). We aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of combining point-of-care molecular viral test and serum procalcitonin (PCT) level for antibiotic stewardship in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Combining rapid viral surveillance and PCT test is a useful strategy for early detection of potential viral epidemics and antibiotic stewardship. Clustered viral respiratory infections in a nursing home is common. Patients transferred from nursing homes to ED may benefit from this approach.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Managing Paratonia in Persons With Dementia: Short-term Effects of Supporting Cushions and Harmonic Techniques.
Paratonia, a form of hypertonia typically seen in dementia, is often associated with difficulties in positioning and daily care. No evidence-based therapy or clinical guideline for management is available. In this study, the short-term effect of harmonic techniques (HT) and supporting cushions (SC) on paratonia was explored. ⋯ This explorative study revealed beneficial short-term effects on range of motion for both SC and HT and a positive effect of SC on upper limb muscle tone. Beneficial effects of HT were found on resident's pain and caregiver's discomfort during care. The results of the present study are encouraging and can contribute to the development of evidence-based interventions for paratonia.