Development of early intervention methods for the risk of cognitive decline in community-dwelling elderly adults.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19300
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58080:Gerontological nursing and community health nursing-related
• Research Institution: Nishikyushu University (2022-2023); Fukuoka International University of Health and Welfare (2021); International University of Health and Welfare (2020)
• Principal Investigator: Kimuro Yukari 西九州大学, 看護学部, 教授 (00569642)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 地域 / 高齢者 / 認知機能 / 睡眠 / 身体能力 / 身体活動 / うつ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to clarify the relationship between cognitive function, physical ability, and sleep quality in community-dwelling older adults.
Cognitive impairment and sleep disorders were observed in 9.4% and 35.3%, respectively. Furthermore, 10.2% of the participants showed a tendency towards depression. This cross-sectional study found no association between cognitive decline and sleep disorders, but a significant association was found between sleep disorders and depression. Therefore, we examined the relationship between sleep disorders and physical ability according to the presence or absence of depression. As a result, no relationship was found between sleep disorders and physical ability in the depression group. On the other hand, in the no-depression group, it was revealed that the amount of physical activity was significantly higher in the absence of sleep disorders.

Free Research Field

高齢者看護学および地域看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで我々は身体能力及び身体活動と認知機能に着目してきたが、本研究により、活動と休息の両面から認知機能低下予防の早期介入に役立つ情報を得ることができた。認知症に関連していると言われている睡眠の質と身体活動の関連を明らかにした。また高齢者においては気分の落ち込みなど情緒面にも注意が必要なため、睡眠の質と身体活動との関係をうつの有無別に明らかにした。高齢化の進展に伴い健康寿命の延伸が課題であるが、高齢者の健康づくり・介護予防に寄与する身体活動の意義が示された。