Association of HIV serostatus and metabolic syndrome with neurobehavioral disturbances.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a constellation of related metabolic risk factors, is a common comorbidity associated with cognitive difficulty in people living with HIV (PLWH). Neurobehavioral disturbances (e.g.

The Role of Physical Therapy in Multiple Risk Factor Management Poststroke: A Scoping Review.

Background And Purpose: Individuals after stroke often have multiple chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, and tobacco use. These comorbidities not only are commonly found in individuals with stroke, but also negatively affect functional outcomes and increase risk for hospital readmission and overall mortality. It is important for physical therapists to address the whole person during treatment after stroke, including comorbidities, not just the problems resulting from the stroke itself.

Rural Caregivers: Identification of Informational Needs Through Telemedicine Questions.

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.

Identifying Adaptive and Maladaptive Behaviors Following a Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Introduction: Individual reactions to a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can vary in a wide range of both adaptive and maladaptive responses. Understanding such reactions to diagnosis is important to maximize adaptive responses that can promote continued independence.

Methods: In this pilot study, the Aging and Memory Quality of Life survey was developed to facilitate an understanding of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors results from a diagnosis of MCI.

Validation of not-at-fault driver representativeness assumption for quasi-induced exposure using U.S. national traffic databases.

Introduction: The quasi-induced exposure (QIE) method has been widely implemented into traffic safety research. One of the key assumptions of QIE method is that not-at-fault drivers represent the driving population at the time of a crash. Recent studies have validated the QIE representative assumption using not-at-fault drivers from three-or-more vehicle crashes (excluding the first not-at-fault drivers; D3_other) as the reference group in single state crash databases.

Positive Psychological Change Following a Cancer Diagnosis in Old Age: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: Despite the stress inherent in a cancer diagnosis, many cancer survivors report benefits, including perceptions of personal growth and well-being. Among adults 60 years or older, for whom cancer diagnoses are most prevalent, there is a notable lack of research on positive psychological change.

Objective: This mixed-methods study was designed to advance current understanding of positive psychology (ie, posttraumatic growth, well-being) in older adults with cancer.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Anesthesia Guided by Bispectral Index Versus Standard Care: Effects on Cognition.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction, a subtle deterioration of cognitive function after exposure to anesthetics, is reported in 10% to 50% of surgical cases. Delivery of excessive inhalation anesthetics based on minimum alveolar concentration produces greater deep hypnotic times, which may contribute to postoperative cognitive dysfunction. This study tested the impact on cognitive function of balanced anesthetic using electroencephalographic (EEG) guidance vs usual anesthesia.

Behaviors Characteristic of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Geriatric Cohort With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Early Dementia.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a heterogenous cluster of clinical phenotypes that are classically diagnosed by the time of adolescence. The possibility of late-life emergence of ASD has been poorly explored.

Methods: To more fully characterize the possibility of late-life emergence of behaviors characteristic of ASD in mild cognitive impairment and AD, we surveyed caregivers of 142 older persons with cognitive impairment from the University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Center Longitudinal Cohort using the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-2.

Health Behaviors in Rural Appalachia.

Objectives: To better understand the disproportionate burdens from cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, stroke, and other chronic conditions related to energy balance, we studied diet and physical activity patterns in younger and older adults in rural Appalachia by using a nonclinical, cross-sectional, community-based sampling approach.

Methods: A total of 651 younger (ages 18-59) and 254 older (ages ≥60) Appalachians were recruited from 43 churches or community organizations. Participants answered questions about fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity.

Perspectives of African American Older Adults on Brain Health: "Brains Get Tired Too".

Background: Statistics suggest that African Americans have a disproportionately high prevalence of Alzheimer disease (AD), yet are less likely to enroll in AD clinical trials than white individuals. Although research has previously identified various barriers to participation, relatively little is known about how to overcome these barriers and engage African American individuals in AD research. The purpose of this study is to better understand how African Americans conceptualize brain health and their ability to influence healthy brain aging.

Exploring college students' attitudes toward older adults: A description of methods used by the gerontological literacy network.

Recognizing the pervasiveness of negative societal attitudes toward aging and older adults is critical, as research indicates how older adults are viewed subsequently influences how they are treated. The Gerontological Literacy Network (GLN) is a multi-university collaboration established to address ingrained beliefs that underlie ageism and gerontophobia. The GLN developed a data-gathering protocol that uses drawing as a foundation to assess the gerontological literacy of college students.

AOTA's Top 5 Choosing Wisely Recommendations.

Health care spending in the United States continues to grow at an unsustainable rate. In 2015, spending increased 5.8%, to reach $3.

Solutions to the Challenge of Meeting Rural Transportation Needs: Middle-Aged and Older Adults' Perspectives.

This study aimed to explore how the aging population in Appalachia manages its transportation and plans for the transition to non-driving and to seek possible solutions to the challenge of meeting rural transportation needs. Four focus groups (N = 38) were conducted, supplemented by a questionnaire, in Appalachian Kentucky. The results showed that few alternative transportation existed except a local paratransit service and informal transportation support.

Occupational Therapy Interventions for Adults With Musculoskeletal Conditions.

Evidence Connection articles provide a clinical application of systematic reviews developed in conjunction with the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA's) Evidence-Based Practice Project. In this Evidence Connection article, we describe a case report of a person who underwent a total knee replacement due to severe osteoarthritis of his left knee. The occupational therapy assessment and intervention process both before and after surgery in the home setting is described.

Occupational Therapy Interventions to Improve Performance of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

Objective: We examined the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of occupational therapy to improve the performance of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) for community-dwelling older adults.

Method: We searched and examined the literature (2008 through 2016) using four electronic databases. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised and synthesized.

Alzheimer Disease Clinical Trial Recruitment: Does Participation in a Brief Cognitive Screen at a Community Health Fair Promote Research Engagement?

Background: Slow participant recruitment impedes Alzheimer disease research progress. Although research suggests that direct involvement with potential participants supports enrollment, strategies for how best to engage potential participants are still unclear.

Purpose: This study explores whether community health fair (HF) attendees who engage in a brief cognitive screen (BCS) are more likely to enroll in research than attendees who do not complete a BCS.

Multimorbidity patterns and associations with functional limitations among an aging population in prison.

Objectives: Co-occurring chronic diseases are associated with functional limitations, particularly for the aging population ≥50 years old. Aging offenders (individual who are imprisoned) tend to have greater prevalence of chronic, mental health, and substance use disorders compared to non-imprisoned populations. Our primary aim was to determine patterns of co-occurring conditions associated with functional limitations among aging offenders.

Challenges and Considerations Related to Studying Dementia in Blacks/African Americans.

Blacks/African Americans have been reported to be ∼2-4 times more likely to develop clinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to Whites. Unfortunately, study design challenges (e.g.

Motivators for Alzheimer's disease clinical trial participation.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) research progress is impeded due to participant recruitment challenges. This study seeks to better understand, from the perspective of individuals engaged in clinical trials (CTs), research motivations.

Methods: Participants, or their caregivers, from AD treatment and prevention CTs were surveyed about research motivators.

Systematic Review of Occupational Therapy and Adult Cancer Rehabilitation: Part 2. Impact of Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation and Psychosocial, Sexuality, and Return-to-Work Interventions.

This article is the second part of a systematic review of evidence for the effectiveness of cancer rehabilitation interventions within the scope of occupational therapy that address the activity and participation needs of adult cancer survivors. This article focuses on the use of multidisciplinary rehabilitation and interventions that address psychosocial outcomes, sexuality, and return to work. Strong evidence indicates that multidisciplinary rehabilitation benefits cancer survivors and that psychosocial strategies can reduce anxiety and depression.

Systematic Review of Occupational Therapy and Adult Cancer Rehabilitation: Part 1. Impact of Physical Activity and Symptom Management Interventions.

This article is the first part of a systematic review of evidence for the effectiveness of cancer rehabilitation interventions within the scope of occupational therapy that address the activity and participation needs of adult cancer survivors. This article focuses on the importance of physical activity and symptom management. Strong evidence supports the use of exercise for cancer-related fatigue and indicates that lymphedema is not exacerbated by exercise.

Perspectives of healthcare practitioners: An exploration of interprofessional communication using electronic medical records.

Contemporary state-of-the-art healthcare facilities are incorporating technology into their building design to improve communication and patient care. However, technological innovations may also have unintended consequences. This study seeks to better understand how technology influences interprofessional communication within a hospital setting based in the United States.

The Role of the Built Environment: How Decentralized Nurse Stations Shape Communication, Patient Care Processes, and Patient Outcomes.

Increasingly, health communication scholars are attending to how hospital built environments shape communication, patient care processes, and patient outcomes. This multimethod study was conducted on two floors of a newly designed urban hospital. Nine focus groups interviews were conducted with 35 health care professionals from 10 provider groups.

Living with traumatic brain injury in a rural setting: supports and barriers across the continuum of care.

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is prevalent in Kentucky and comes with a high cost in care and quality of life for individuals and caregivers affected. Many people living with the condition of TBI have unmet needs. Research among people living with TBI in rural areas is limited.