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- Boström, Gustaf
(författare)
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Depression in older people with and without dementia : non-pharmacological interventions and associations between psychotropic drugs and mortality
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this thesis was to investigate associations between psychotropic drug use and death, associations between functional capacity, dependency in ADL and depression, and to evaluate a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce depressive symptoms, among older people with and without dementia.There is limited knowledge about the risk of death associated with psychotropic drug use among those aged ≥85 years, those with dementia, or those living in residential care facilities; groups that have a higher intake of psychotropic drugs and who are also more prone to adverse drug reactions. In a representative sample of people ≥85 years (n = 992), baseline antidepressant use was not associated with an increased 5-year mortality risk when adjusting for confounding factors. A significant interaction between gender and antidepressant use was found, with a higher mortality risk in women, than in men. When analyzing men and women separately, no significant associations were found. In a sample of older people (i.e. ≥65 years) with dementia (n = 1037), there was a significant gender difference in 2-year mortality associated with the baseline use of antidepressant drugs, with a lower mortality risk in men, than in women. In men, the mortality risk was significantly reduced with antidepressant use, while there was no significant association in women. The association between baseline use of benzodiazepines and mortality had a tendency toward an increased risk during the first year of follow-up, although this became non-significant after adjustments. In this time period, the interaction term for sex was significant, with a higher mortality risk among men than women. When the sexes were analyzed separately, no significant associations were found. No significant associations were found between baseline use of antipsychotic drugs and mortality.Drug treatment for depression seems to have a limited effect in older people and may have no effect in people with dementia. In order to find alternative ways of treating or preventing depression in older age, it is important to increase our knowledge about factors associated with this condition. Functional capacity and dependency in activities of daily living (ADL) are associated with depression in community-dwelling older people. However, it is uncertain whether the same associations are to be found in very old people (i.e. ≥80 years), including those with severe cognitive or physical impairments. In a heterogeneous sample (n = 392) with a high mean age, a large range of cognitive and functional capacity, a wide spectrum of dependency in ADL, and a high prevalence of comorbidities, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with functional balance capacity, but not with overall dependency in ADL. Among individual ADL tasks, dependency in transfer and dressing were associated with depressive symptoms.Physical exercise has shown effect sizes similar to those of antidepressants in reducing depressive symptoms among older people without dementia, with moderate–high-intensity exercise being more effective than low-intensity exercise. However, these effects are unclear among older people with dementia. Care-facility residents with dementia (n = 186) were cluster-randomized to a high-intensity functional exercise program or a non-exercise control activity conducted for 45 minutes every other weekday for 4 months. No significant difference between the exercise and control activity was found in depressive symptoms at 4 or 7 months. Among participants with high levels of depressive symptoms, reductions were observed in both the exercise and control groups at 4 and 7 months.In conclusion, ongoing treatment at baseline with any of the three psychotropic drug classes antidepressants, antipsychotics and benzodiazepines did not increase the risk of mortality in older people with dementia. Neither did antidepressant drugs in very old people. In both samples, gender differences were found in the mortality risk due to antidepressant use. In those with dementia, the mortality risk due to benzodiazepine use also differed by gender. The potential risk from initial treatment and gender differences regarding mortality risk require further investigation in randomized controlled trials or in large cohort studies properly controlled for confounding factors. In older people, living in community and residential care facilities, functional capacity seems to be independently associated with depressive symptoms whereas overall ADL performance may not be associated. Dependency in the individual ADL tasks of transfer and dressing appear to be independently associated with depressive symptoms and may be an important focus for future interdisciplinary multifactorial intervention studies. Among older people with dementia living in residential care facilities, a 4-month high-intensity functional exercise program has no superior effect on depressive symptoms than a control activity. Both exercise and non-exercise group activities may reduce high levels of depressive symptoms. However, this finding must be confirmed in three-armed randomized controlled trials including control groups receiving standard care.
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| 2. |
- Sondell, Anna, 1968-
(författare)
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Exercise and team rehabilitation in older people with dementia : applicability, motivation and experiences
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The world’s population is aging. With the growing population of older people, dementia disorders are becoming increasingly common. Dementia disorders are progressive and include impairments in cognitive and physical function, which lead to increased risks of inactivity, falls, fractures, and comorbidity. Dementia is also the leading cause of dependency in activities of daily living. Therefore, rehabilitation including exercise is needed for this population. To obtain optimal effects on the functional ability of older people, exercise should be task specific, functional, performed at high intensity at sufficient frequency and duration, and include both balance and strength training. Motivation to participate is important for exercise program participation, the fulfillment of exercise recommendations and facilitation of motor learning in order to achieve exercise response. However, exercise recommendations for older people are based mainly on findings from studies conducted with people without dementia. Exercise may be challenging for some people with dementia due to complicating symptoms, such as cognitive deficits, depression, apathy or lack of motivation, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Studies exploring the applicability of exercise programs have been called for to optimize exercise programs; knowledge about motivation is lacking, and how this together influences exercise response in this group. Additionally, dementia disorders significantly affect all aspects of life for the affected persons and their informal caregivers, friends, and family members in their immediate networks. Furthermore, the care and rehabilitation needs of community-dwelling people with dementia must be considered due to the decreasing proportion of nursing home residents in Sweden today. Scientific knowledge and clinical experiences regarding the use of interdisciplinary team rehabilitation for people with dementia are limited, despite the urgent need for rehabilitation and its proven effects after events such as hip fracture. The effects of person-centered multidimensional interdisciplinary rehabilitation programs for people with dementia, including education and counseling for informal primary caregivers, have not been evaluated and need to be explored.The overall aim of the thesis was to evaluate exercise and team based rehabilitation among older people with dementia. Specifically, the objectives were to evaluate motivation to participate in and applicability of a high-intensity functional exercise program, and to explore participants’ experiences with a multidimensional interdisciplinary team rehabilitation program including high-intensity functional exercise, among older people with dementia.In the Umeå Dementia and Exercise (UMDEX) study, a cluster-randomized controlled trial including 186 people with dementia in nursing homes, the effects of the High-Intensity Functional Exercise (HIFE) Program and a seated social activity, both lasting for 45 minutes and held five times fortnightly for 4 months, were compared. Participants’ motivation to go to activity sessions and motivation during sessions were assessed using a five-point Likert scale. The applicability of the exercise program (with regard to attendance, achieved intensity, and adverse events) was assessed with a focus on dementia type and reasons for non-attendance and for not achieving high intensity, based on exercise diary data. Balance exercise response was investigated using the Berg Balance Scale, assessed at baseline and 4 month follow-up. In the Multidimensional InterDisciplinary Rehabilitation in Dementia (MIDRED) study, a randomized controlled study, a person-centered multidimensional interdisciplinary rehabilitation program for community-dwelling older people with dementia, including education and counseling for informal primary caregivers, was evaluated. With the aim of exploring experiences with program participation, 16 participants with dementia were interviewed and data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.The UMDEX study showed that motivation during activities was quite high, with no overall difference between groups; over time, however, motivation increased in the exercise group and decreased in the social activity group. Motivation during activity sessions was greater than motivation to go to sessions in both groups. The exercise program was applicable, with high attendance rates, moderate to high intensity achieved, and the occurrence of only minor and temporary adverse events. Dementia subtype, low motivation, pain, and presence of BPSD seemed to affect applicability. The exercise response varied widely, with many participants showing improved balance after the intervention. The applicability of the exercise program and motivation did not seem to be associated with paramount balance response. Four categories emerged from the MIDRED study analysis: being empowered through challenges; gaining insight, motives and rising concerns about the future; to participate is worthwhile, if you are seen; and togetherness in prosperity and adversity.In conclusion, for older people with dementia living in nursing homes, who have a high prevalence of medical conditions and functional limitations, motivation to participate in a high-intensity exercise program was high and did not differ from motivation to participate in a less physically demanding social activity. The exercise program seems to be applicable with regard to attendance, achieved intensity, and adverse events. The prediction of balance exercise response based on program applicability and participant motivation does not seem to be possible. The promotion of strategies to encourage people with dementia to join exercise groups is of great importance, and more knowledge about strategies is needed to overcome low pre-exercise motivation levels. An interdisciplinary rehabilitation program for community-dwelling older people seems feasible, according to reported experiences. The participants had positive experiences and perceived improvement and empowerment due to the rehabilitation, which can influence well-being in daily life in this population. The results of this research support the inclusion of this population in team rehabilitation and high-intensity functional exercise programs.
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| 3. |
- Stecksén, Anna, 1982-
(författare)
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Stroke thrombolysis on equal terms? : implementation and ADL outcome
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Stroke thrombolysis is a method for restoring cerebral blood flow after ischemic stroke, with high priority in the Swedish national guidelines. implementation of stroke thrombolysis in Swedish routine stroke care has shown marked differences between demographic groups, hospital types, and regions. The general aim of this thesis were to examine the implementation of ischemic stroke thrombolysis in Swedish routine stroke care with an equity perspective; to gain more insight into the factors that influence implementation, how the treatment has reached patient groups, and differences in long-term outcomes between women and men. Analysis of data from research interviews with clinicians working within stroke care displayed that the facilitators of and barriers to the implementation of stroke thrombolysis could broadly be categorized into those related to individuals, to social interactions and context, and to organizational and resource issues. Key facilitating factors expressed in interviews were work pride and motivation, good leadership, involvement of all staff members in the implementation process, and quality assurance. Major barriers concerned lack of competence and experience, outdated attitudes regarding stroke management, counterproductive power structures, lack of continuity, and insufficient human resources. National quality register data displayed that stroke thrombolysis treatment expanded to reach more patients with mild deficits. Groups with higher education were more likely to receive treatment, compared to groups with lower educational level. These education group differences have, however, decreased over time in relative terms, but not in absolute terms. Further, there were considerable between-hospitals differences in treatment rates for patients with milder deficits, associated with hospital’s overall stroke thrombolysis rates. Moreover, larger non-university hospitals displayed treatment rate differences between educational groups that were not attributable to patient characteristics. Among thrombolysis-treated women and men, that was independent in ADL before their stroke and survived the first year post-stroke, women experienced higher probability to be dependent in ADL at both 3 and 12 months post-stroke, compared to men. This difference remained significant despite comprehensive adjustments for individual characteristics, symptom severity, and acute effects from stroke thrombolysis.This thesis displays that clinicians face barriers and facilitators at several levels, suggesting implementation interventions could be targeted towards both the individual-, the social interactions and context-, and also the organisation and available resources level. Assurance of clinicians’ individual competence, peer support, and clinical leadership seem to be important areas to intervene. Stroke thrombolysis rates have expanded over time, and an increase in stroke thrombolysis delivery to patients with mild stroke symptoms has contributed to this increase. However, it seems considerable differences between hospitals inhibit equity of care delivery. Further, socioeconomically disadvantaged groups receive less often stroke thrombolysis. Type of hospital seems to play a role, yet the reasons for this difference are not fully understood. This thesis also display that stroke thrombolysis-treated women that survive 1 year after stroke, appears to face higher risk for dependency in ADL, compared to men.
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| 4. |
- Toots, Annika, 1971-
(författare)
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Gait speed and physical exercise in people with dementia
- 2016
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of the thesis was to investigate the importance of physical function for survival in very old people, and furthermore, whether physical exercise could influence physical function, cognitive function, and dependence in activities of daily living (ADLs) in older people with dementia living in nursing homes.The world’s population is ageing. Given the age-related increase in chronic disease such as dementia and compounded by physical inactivity, the prevalence in need for assistance and are in daily activities in older people is expected to increase in the near future. Gait speed, a measure of physical function, has been shown to be associated with health and survival. However, studies of the oldest people in the population, including those dependent in ADLs, living in nursing homes and with dementia, are few. Moreover, in people with dementia physical exercise may improve physical and cognitive function and reduce dependence in ADLs. Further large studies with high methodological quality and with designs incorporating attention control groups are needed in this population. In addition, no study has compared exercise effects between dementia types.The association between gait speed and survival was investigated in a population based cohort study of 772 people aged 85 years and over. Usual gait speed was assessed over 2.4 metres and mortality followed for five years. Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusted for potential confounders were used in analyses. Effects of physical exercise in people with dementia were investigated in a randomised controlled trial that included 186 participants with various dementia types living in nursing homes. Participants were allocated to the High-Intensity Functional Exercise (HIFE) program or a seated control activity, which both lasted 45 minutes and held five times fortnightly for four months. Dependence in ADLs was assessed with Functional Independence Measure and Barthel ADL Index, and balance with Berg Balance Scale. Usual gait speed was evaluated over 4.0 metres in two tests; first using habitual walking aid if any, and thereafter without walking aid and with minimum living support. Global cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale, and executive function using Verbal fluency. Blinded testers performed assessments at baseline, four (directly after intervention completion) and seven months. Analyses used linear mixed models in agreement with the intention-to-treat principle.Gait speed was found to be an independent predictor of five-year all-cause mortality, where inability to complete the gait test or a gait speed below 0.5 iv meters per second (m/s) was associated with higher mortality risk. In analyses of exercise effects on ADLs there was no difference between groups in the complete sample. Interaction analyses showed a difference in exercise effect according to dementia type at seven months. Positive between-group exercise effects were found for dependence in ADLs in participants with non-Alzheimer’s type of dementia (non-AD) at four and seven months. In balance, a difference between groups was found at four but not at seven months in the complete sample, and interaction analyses indicated a difference in effect according to dementia type at four and seven months. Positive between-group exercise effects were found in participants with non-AD. No difference between groups in gait speed was found in the complete sample, where the majority habitually walked with a walking aid. In interaction analyses exercise effects differed according to walking aid use. Positive between-group exercise effects in gait speed were found in participants that walked unsupported at four and seven months. No difference between groups in cognitive function was found in the complete sample. The effects of exercise on gait speed and cognitive function did not differ according to sex, cognitive level, or dementia type.In conclusion, among people aged 85 or older, including those dependent in ADLs and with dementia, gait speed seems to be a useful clinical indicator of health status. Inability to complete the gait test or a gait speed below 0.5 m/s appears to be associated with higher five-year mortality risk. In older people with mild to moderate dementia living in nursing homes, a four-month high-intensity functional exercise program appeared to attenuate loss of dependence in ADLs and improve balance, albeit only in participants with non-AD type of dementia. Further studies are needed to validate this result. Furthermore, exercise had positive effects on gait speed when tested unsupported, in contrast to when walking aids or minimum support were used. The result implies that the use of walking aids in the gait speed test may conceal exercise effects. The exercise program had no superior effects on global cognition or executive function when compared with an attention control activity. This thesis suggests that, in older people with dementia, exercise effects on physical function rather than cognitive function may explain effects on dependence in ADLs.
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