Kazuhiro Harada1, Sangyoon Lee2, Sungchul Lee2, Seongryu Bae2, Kenji Harada3, Hiroyuki Shimada2. 1. Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University, 3-11 Tsurukabuto, Nada, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan; Department of Preventive Gerontology, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430 Morioka, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan. Electronic address: harada@harbor.kobe-u.ac.jp. 2. Department of Preventive Gerontology, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430 Morioka, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan. 3. Department of Preventive Gerontology, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430 Morioka, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan; Graduate School of Health and Sport Sciences, Chukyo University, 101 Tokodate, Kaizu, Toyota, Aichi 470-0393, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Older adults with cognitive decline are vulnerable to various health problems. Going out of home for longer time could be beneficial for their health. Identifying modifiable predictors is essential for developing effective strategies that would increase time spent out-of-home by older adults. This study examined social and physical environmental predictors of objectively measured out-of-home time spent among older adults with cognitive decline. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (n = 147). Out-of-home time per day was measured by a Global Positioning System at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Baseline data of social environment (living alone, social network [Japanese version of the Lubben Social Network Scale]), objective physical environment (road network distance from each home address to nearest supermarket store, convenience store, and public transportation), and demographic factors (gender, age, education, driving status, fear of falling) were examined as potential predictors. RESULTS: After adjusting main effects of allocation group, time of measures, and their interactive effect, a mixed model showed that younger age (p = 0.044), current driving status (p = 0.039), and stronger social network (p = 0.003) were predictors of out-of-home time. However, none of the physical environmental factors significantly predicted outdoor time. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that social network was a predictor of objectively measured out-of-home time among older adults with global cognitive decline. A sufficient social network might help increase out-of-home time among them. However, the influence of physical environment on out-of-home time might be small.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Older adults with cognitive decline are vulnerable to various health problems. Going out of home for longer time could be beneficial for their health. Identifying modifiable predictors is essential for developing effective strategies that would increase time spent out-of-home by older adults. This study examined social and physical environmental predictors of objectively measured out-of-home time spent among older adults with cognitive decline. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (n = 147). Out-of-home time per day was measured by a Global Positioning System at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Baseline data of social environment (living alone, social network [Japanese version of the Lubben Social Network Scale]), objective physical environment (road network distance from each home address to nearest supermarket store, convenience store, and public transportation), and demographic factors (gender, age, education, driving status, fear of falling) were examined as potential predictors. RESULTS: After adjusting main effects of allocation group, time of measures, and their interactive effect, a mixed model showed that younger age (p = 0.044), current driving status (p = 0.039), and stronger social network (p = 0.003) were predictors of out-of-home time. However, none of the physical environmental factors significantly predicted outdoor time. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that social network was a predictor of objectively measured out-of-home time among older adults with global cognitive decline. A sufficient social network might help increase out-of-home time among them. However, the influence of physical environment on out-of-home time might be small.