Associations Between Cognitive Performance and Self-Efficacy for Pain Management in Older Adults With Chronic Pain.

Background: Self-efficacy for pain management is the key to successful pain management, yet little is known about the effect of cognitive performance on self-efficacy for pain management. This study aimed to examine to what extent cognitive performance is related to self-efficacy for pain management in older adults with chronic pain.

Methods: The analyses utilized data from the baseline assessment of the MOBILIZE Boston Study.

The association of physical activity duration and intensity on emotional intelligence in 10-13 year-old Children.

Previous studies have shown that Physical Activity (PA) has a positive association with emotional health and intelligence in adolescents but none have focused on the relationship of PA duration and intensity on Emotional Intelligence (EI). The purpose of this study was to cross-sectionally assess the association of PA measures on overall EI and its domains in a cohort of 2 029 adolescents aged 10-13 years of age in the National Longitudinal Survey for Children and Youth (NLSCY) from Canada. Multivariable linear regression analysis of EI was adjusted for age, sex, annual household income, and health status.

High-intensity interval training attenuates impairment in regulatory protein machinery of mitochondrial quality control in skeletal muscle of diet-induced obese mice.

Mitochondrial quality control processes are essential in governing mitochondrial integrity and function. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of 10 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the regulatory protein machinery of skeletal muscle mitochondrial quality control and whole-body glucose homeostasis in diet-induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to low-fat diet (LFD) or high-fat diet (HFD) group.

Partial skeletal muscle-specific Drp1 knockout enhances insulin sensitivity in diet-induced obese mice, but not in lean mice.

Objective: Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is the key regulator of mitochondrial fission. We and others have reported a strong correlation between enhanced Drp1 activity and impaired skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity. This study aimed to determine whether Drp1 directly regulates skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and whole-body glucose homeostasis.

Is Tai Chi beneficial for multisite pain syndrome in older adults?

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is prevalent and undertreated in older adults. In particular, multisite pain is associated with serious functional consequences and falls and appears to be a novel geriatric syndrome. The causes of multisite pain are often multifactorial, and emerging evidence supports a complex pathway whereby multisite pain leads to cognitive problems, mobility decline, fear of falling, falls, and reduced participation in life roles.

Characterizing Fall Circumstances in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Approach.

Background: Understanding fall circumstances can help researchers better identify causes of falls and develop effective and tailored fall prevention programs. This study aims to describe fall circumstances among older adults from quantitative data using conventional statistical approaches and qualitative analyses using a machine learning approach.

Methods: The MOBILIZE Boston Study enrolled 765 community-dwelling adults aged 70 years and older in Boston, MA.

Pilot studies of recruitment and feasibility of remote Tai Chi in racially diverse older adults with multisite pain.

Background: Multisite musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent among older adults yet undertreated. Studies support the promise of Tai Chi for managing pain and lowering fall risk. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, effective alternatives to classroom-based exercise programming are warranted.

Brief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Subscale: Assessing Interference With Daily Living Activities in Older Adults With Multisite Musculoskeletal Pain.

Objectives: This study aims to determine domains of pain interference in daily routines assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory, in relation to multisite musculoskeletal pain among older adults living in the community.

Design: The MOBILIZE Boston Study is a population-based study of 749 adults aged 70 and older.

Measurements: Chronic musculoskeletal pain was assessed using a joint pain questionnaire and grouped as: no pain, single-site and multisite pain.

Chronic pain and circumstances of falls in community-living older adults: an exploratory study.

Background: Chronic pain is a risk factor contributing to mobility impairment and falls in older adults. Little is known about the patterns of circumstances of falls among older adults with chronicpain.

Objective: To examine the relationship between chronic pain and circumstances of falls including location, activities at the time of falls and self-reported causes of falls in older adults.

Exercise interventions, physical function, and mobility after hip fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of different exercise components on physical function and mobility in adults after hip fracture.

Methods: Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched up to March 2021. Randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of exercise interventions on physical function and mobility in adults after hip fracture were included.

Tai Chi Interventions Promoting Social Support and Interaction Among Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

Tai chi is known to improve balance and reduce falls in older adults. Yet, little is known about the impact of group tai chi on perceived social support and its relationship with participant self-efficacy and adherence. The current systematic review, guided by Social Cognitive Theory and Successful Aging, includes an overview of tai chi interventions with and without enhancements (e.

Chronic Pain and Risk of Injurious Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Background: Fall injuries are a leading cause of death in older adults. The potential impact of chronic pain characteristics on risk for injurious falls is not well understood. This prospective cohort study examined the relationship between chronic pain and risk for injurious falls in older adults.

Validity and reliability of a Chinese rating of perceived exertion scale in young Mandarin speaking adults.

Background: The validity and reliability of the Borg 6-20 rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale has not been tested among Chinese people from Mainland China. The purpose of this study was to test: 1) The validity of Leung Chinese version and Wang Chinese version of the Borg 6-20 RPE scale; 2) The reliability of Wang Chinese version RPE scale; and 3) The agreement of these two Chinese versions of the RPE scale among young healthy adults from Mainland China.

Methods: A total of 26 subjects (11 males, 15 females; age 22.

Is pain catastrophizing associated with poor mobility performance and falls in older adults?

Background: Pain catastrophizing has been associated with pain intensity and mobility limitations in adults, and may be associated with mobility problems among older adults with chronic pain. This study examined the associations between pain catastrophizing and pain characteristics, and physical performance in older people.

Methods: The MOBILIZE Boston Study II (MBS) included 354 adults aged ≥70 years, living in the Boston area, originally enrolled in the MBS I from 2005-2008.

Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Foot Reaction Time in Older Adults.

This cross-sectional study examines the association between chronic musculoskeletal pain and foot reaction time (RT) among older community-living adults. Participants were 307 adults aged 71 years and older in the MOBILIZE Boston Study II. Pain severity, interference, and location were measured by the Brief Pain Inventory and a joint pain questionnaire.

Participation in cognitive activities is associated with foot reaction time and gait speed in older adults.

Background: Given the evidence of the links between cognition and mobility, participation in cognitive activities may benefit neuromotor performance and mobility in older adults.

Aims: To examine the association between participation in cognitive activities and foot reaction time (RT) and gait speed in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: The MOBILIZE Boston Study II (MBSII) re-enrolled 354 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 70 years from the original MBS cohort.

Effects of meditation and mind-body exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor: A literature review of human experimental studies.

This paper provides a literature review of current studies investigating the effects of meditation and mind-body exercise on peripheral concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an important mediator of the neuroplasticity of the central nervous system and cognitive function. A literature search was conducted to collect currently published randomized controlled, non-randomized controlled and uncontrolled intervention studies. Fifteen studies were identified; and among these studies, seven were randomized controlled studies, three were non-randomized studies, and five were uncontrolled studies.

Effects of Exergaming on Cognition and Gait in Older Adults at Risk for Falling.

Purpose: To test whether an 8-wk exergaming (EG) program would improve cognition and gait characteristics compared with a traditional physical exercise (TPE) program in older adults at risk for falling.

Methods: A pilot quasi-experimental study was conducted in adults age ≥65 yr at risk for falls, living in senior communities. Participants enrolled (n = 35) in either exercise program offered twice weekly for 8 wk.

Effects of Tai Chi on beta endorphin and inflammatory markers in older adults with chronic pain: an exploratory study.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the effects of Tai Chi on blood levels of beta endorphin (β-endorphin) and inflammatory markers in older adults with chronic pain. Forty community-dwelling older adults with chronic pain were randomized to Tai Chi or light physical exercise, and each offered twice weekly for 12 weeks. Following the 12-week intervention, neither Tai Chi nor light physical exercise changed levels of β-endorphin and inflammatory markers.

Physiological responses and enjoyment of Kinect-based exergames in older adults at risk for falls: A feasibility study.

Background: Exergaming has the potential to improve physical function, cognition and dual-task function, and could be an effective new strategy for reducing risk of falling in older adults.

Objective: To evaluate and test custom Microsoft Kinect-based motion-tracking exergames in older adults at risk for falls.

Methods: Community-dwelling older adults who reported mobility difficulties or had fallen in the past year played three newly developed exergames (Target Trackers, Double Decision, and Visual Sweeps, 5 minutes each) in random order.

Exercise Intensity-Driven Level Design.

Games and experiences designed for virtual or augmented reality usually require the player to move physically to play. This poses substantial challenge for level designers because the player's physical experience in a level will need to be considered, otherwise the level may turn out to be too exhausting or not challenging enough. This paper presents a novel approach to optimize level designs by considering the physical challenge imposed upon the player in completing a level of motion-based games.

Tai Chi for older adults with chronic multisite pain: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Background: Chronic pain is associated with poorer cognition and mobility, and fall risk in older adults.

Aims: To investigate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of mind-body exercise (Tai Chi) versus light physical exercise in older adults with multisite pain.

Methods: Adults aged ≥ 65 years with multisite pain who reported falling in the past year or current use of an assistive device were recruited from Boston area communities.

Physical activity and telomere length: Impact of aging and potential mechanisms of action.

Telomeres protect the integrity of information-carrying DNA by serving as caps on the terminal portions of chromosomes. Telomere length decreases with aging, and this contributes to cell senescence. Recent evidence supports that telomere length of leukocytes and skeletal muscle cells may be positively associated with healthy living and inversely correlated with the risk of several age-related diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, chronic pain, and stress.