Kimiko Tomioka1, Akihiro Harano2, Kan Hazaki3, Masayuki Morikawa4, Junko Iwamoto5, Keigo Saeki1, Nozomi Okamoto1, Norio Kurumatani1. 1. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan. 2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan. 3. Department of Physical Therapy, Osaka Electro-Communication University, Shijonawate, Japan. 4. Sakai City Mental Health Center, Sakai, Japan. 5. Department of Nursing, Tenri Health Care University, Tenri, Japan.
Abstract
AIM: The present study investigated whether physical performance and musculoskeletal pain (MSP) are associated with self-perceived hearing handicap (HH) among high-functioning older adults. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 3982 community-dwelling high-functioning older adults (age 65 years and older). HH was assessed using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly-Screening. Self-reported hearing impairment (HI) was evaluated using a single question. We measured handgrip strength, walking speed (WS) and standing balance for assessments of physical performance. The severity of MSP assessed by interviews took into account its duration, limitation of daily activity and frequency. RESULTS: The prevalence of HH and HI in our sample was 22.2% and 28.1%, respectively. After adjusting for other two physical performance measures, MSP, sex, age, education, marital status, risk factors for hearing loss, instrumental activity of daily living, depression, cognitive function and self-reported HI, the odds ratios for HH in the second fastest, the second slowest, and the slowest WS quartile were 1.14 (95% CI = 0.81-1.58), 1.29 (95% CI = 0.92-1.79), and 1.58 (95% CI = 1.11-2.23), respectively, compared with the fastest WS quartile. A significant dose-response relationship was found between slower WS and HH (P for trend = 0.01). No significant association with HH was found in handgrip strength, standing balance and MSP. CONCLUSION: WS is associated with self-perceived HH in high-functioning older adults. The present study suggests that exercise programs to improve walking ability might be effective in preventing HH of self-sustainable older adults.
AIM: The present study investigated whether physical performance and musculoskeletal pain (MSP) are associated with self-perceived hearing handicap (HH) among high-functioning older adults. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 3982 community-dwelling high-functioning older adults (age 65 years and older). HH was assessed using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly-Screening. Self-reported hearing impairment (HI) was evaluated using a single question. We measured handgrip strength, walking speed (WS) and standing balance for assessments of physical performance. The severity of MSP assessed by interviews took into account its duration, limitation of daily activity and frequency. RESULTS: The prevalence of HH and HI in our sample was 22.2% and 28.1%, respectively. After adjusting for other two physical performance measures, MSP, sex, age, education, marital status, risk factors for hearing loss, instrumental activity of daily living, depression, cognitive function and self-reported HI, the odds ratios for HH in the second fastest, the second slowest, and the slowest WS quartile were 1.14 (95% CI = 0.81-1.58), 1.29 (95% CI = 0.92-1.79), and 1.58 (95% CI = 1.11-2.23), respectively, compared with the fastest WS quartile. A significant dose-response relationship was found between slower WS and HH (P for trend = 0.01). No significant association with HH was found in handgrip strength, standing balance and MSP. CONCLUSION: WS is associated with self-perceived HH in high-functioning older adults. The present study suggests that exercise programs to improve walking ability might be effective in preventing HH of self-sustainable older adults.
Authors: Justin Lambert; Rouzbeh Ghadry-Tavi; Kate Knuff; Marc Jutras; Jodi Siever; Paul Mick; Carolyn Roque; Gareth Jones; Jonathan Little; Harry Miller; Colin Van Bergen; Donna Kurtz; Mary Ann Murphy; Charlotte Ann Jones Journal: Trials Date: 2017-01-28 Impact factor: 2.279