Ryota Sakurai1, Masashi Yasunaga2, Yoh Murayama2, Hiromi Ohba2, Kumiko Nonaka2, Hiroyuki Suzuki2, Naoko Sakuma3, Mariko Nishi2, Hayato Uchida4, Shoji Shinkai2, George W Rebok5, Yoshinori Fujiwara6. 1. Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, 2-579-15 Mikajima, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-1192, Japan; Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan; Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0083, Japan. 2. Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan. 3. Research Team for Promoting Independence of the Elderly, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan. 4. School of Human Science & Environment, University of Hyogo, 1-1-12 Shinzaike-Honcho, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0092, Japan. 5. Department of Mental Health, Center on Aging and Health, The Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, 8th Fl. Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. 6. Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan. Electronic address: fujiwayo@tmig.or.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social engagement activities can help older adults maintain mental and physical functioning levels. This study examined the long-term effects of the intergenerational picture-book reading program "REPRINTS" (Research of Productivity by Intergenerational Sympathy) on older adults. METHODS: After baseline assessment, participants were allowed to decide which condition they wanted to participate in: the REPRINTS intervention or control group involving only assessments. REPRINTS participants participated in group activities that involved playing a hand game and reading picture books to children at kindergartens, elementary schools, and public childcare centers, once every one-two weeks. A follow-up assessment, which focused on functional capacity (i.e., instrumental activities of daily living, intellectual activity, and social function), was conducted after seven years. The analysis included responses from 62 REPRINTS (mean age [SD]=66.2 [5.7]) and 100 control-group participants (mean age [SD]=68.0 [4.7]). RESULTS: A logistic regression analysis examining intervention effects revealed that control-group participants were more likely to reduce intellectual activity and interactions with children compared to REPRINTS participants (p=.013 and .003, respectively). Furthermore, the REPRINTS group maintained greater functional reach compared to the control group (p<.001). However, the REPRINTS group was likely to stay indoors more often, compared to the control group (p=.045). CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that the REPRINTS intergenerational program has long-term, positive effects that help maintain and promote intellectual activity, physical functioning, and intergenerational exchange, although the effect of the increasing amount of physical activity is unclear.
BACKGROUND: Social engagement activities can help older adults maintain mental and physical functioning levels. This study examined the long-term effects of the intergenerational picture-book reading program "REPRINTS" (Research of Productivity by Intergenerational Sympathy) on older adults. METHODS: After baseline assessment, participants were allowed to decide which condition they wanted to participate in: the REPRINTS intervention or control group involving only assessments. REPRINTS participants participated in group activities that involved playing a hand game and reading picture books to children at kindergartens, elementary schools, and public childcare centers, once every one-two weeks. A follow-up assessment, which focused on functional capacity (i.e., instrumental activities of daily living, intellectual activity, and social function), was conducted after seven years. The analysis included responses from 62 REPRINTS (mean age [SD]=66.2 [5.7]) and 100 control-group participants (mean age [SD]=68.0 [4.7]). RESULTS: A logistic regression analysis examining intervention effects revealed that control-group participants were more likely to reduce intellectual activity and interactions with children compared to REPRINTS participants (p=.013 and .003, respectively). Furthermore, the REPRINTS group maintained greater functional reach compared to the control group (p<.001). However, the REPRINTS group was likely to stay indoors more often, compared to the control group (p=.045). CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that the REPRINTS intergenerational program has long-term, positive effects that help maintain and promote intellectual activity, physical functioning, and intergenerational exchange, although the effect of the increasing amount of physical activity is unclear.
Authors: Janine S Bruce; Tiffany N Lien; Elizabeth George; Vandana Puri; Melanie Ramirez; Sylvia Bereknyei Merrell Journal: J Community Health Date: 2022-08-01
Authors: Chantal Viscogliosi; Hugo Asselin; Lise Trottier; Monia D'Amours; Mélanie Levasseur Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-03-16 Impact factor: 3.295