Andréa Kruger Gonçalves

Influência do treinamento de força muscular e de flexibilidade articular sobre o equilíbrio corporal em idosas

INTRODUCTION: Increasing proportion of elderly people in the world population raises the discussion of disabling events in this age group, as the occurrence of falls. Reduction in joint flexibility and muscle strength are the main variable related to the major motor limitations of activities of daily living (ADLs) and high rates of reported falls in elderly. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the influence of muscle strength training and flexibility training on body balance in elderly. METHODOLOGY: The sample was composed by 22 women, from 60 to 75 years old, enrolled in two physical activity programs. Seven subjects were submitted to muscle strength program and 15 subjects were submitted to flexibility training. Body balance was evaluated before and after practicing time (Berg Balance Scale). RESULTS: It was found that both groups had significant improvement in body balance. Average scores in strength training group were 53 and 55.86 points, respectively, before and after training, while the average scores in flexibility group were 52.47 and 55.47 points, before and after training. CONCLUSION: It was found that both training improved the rates of body balance in elderly women, which likely will influence the reduction of incidence of falls and loss of physical independence, as well as better quality of life.

Associação entre perda auditiva e sintomatologia depressiva em idosos

* Doutora em Gerontologia Biomedica (PUCRS). Professora Adjunta da UFRGS Departamento de Psicologia do Desenvolvimento e da Personalidade Curso de Fonoaudiologia. ** Doutora em Psicologia Social (USP). Professora Adjunta da UFRGS Escola de Educacao Fisica (ESEF). *** Doutora em Ciencias do Movimento Humano (UFRGS). Professora Adjunta da UFSC. **** Doutoranda em Gerontologia Biomedica (PUCRS). Professora da UFCSPA Departamento de Fonoaudiologia. ***** PhD em Medicina pela Tokay University, School of Medicine, Japao. Professor Adjunto da PUCRS Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Gerontologia Biomedica. ****** Doutora em Fitotecnia (UFRGS). Professora Adjunta do Curso de Educacao Fisica da ULBRA Canoas. ****** Doutora em Saude da Crianca e do Adolescente UFRGS. Professora Adjunta da UFRGS Departamento de Psicologia do Desenvolvimento e da Personalidade.

Audição em adultos e idosos: associação com sexo, idade e cognição

OBJETIVO:verificar a existencia de associacao entre a presenca e o grau de perda auditiva em adultos e idosos e o desempenho em teste de rastreio cognitivo, o sexo e a idade dos mesmos.METODOS:participaram deste estudo sujeitos com idade entre 52 e 92 anos. Todos responderam a questionario socio-demografico, ao teste de Mini Exame do Estado Mental e a audiometria tonal liminar.RESULTADOS: dos 90 individuos avaliados, 22 (24,4%) eram do sexo masculino e 68 (75,6%) do sexo feminino. Constatou-se que apenas 11 orelhas direitas e 11 orelhas esquerdas apresentavam limiares auditivos normais. Constatou-se que a idade estava associada com o aumento dos limiares auditivos, evidenciando que os individuos mais velhos apresentam maior grau de perda auditiva (p<0,005). Nao houve diferenca estatistica entre os limiares auditivos de homens e mulheres (p=0,1). Observou-se que 80% dos sujeitos cujo resultado do rastreio cognitivo foi normal apresentaram os limiares auditivos menos afetados. Ja 60% dos individuos cujo resultado do rastreio cognitivo foi alterado apresentaram maior grau de perda auditiva. Pode-se constatar a relacao dos achados audiologicos com os resultados do teste de rastreio cognitivo, evidenciando que os sujeitos com o resultado alterado do mini Exame do Estado mental apresentam os maiores graus de perda auditiva (p<0,001).CONCLUSAO:verificou-se que houve associacao entre a presenca e grau da perda auditiva com o resultado do Mini Exame do Estado Mental. O aumento da idade mostrou-se proporcional ao aumento dos limiares auditivos. Nao foi constatada associacao entre genero e audicao na amostra.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Portable Hearing Screening in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Introduction Hearing screening allows the identification of individuals with hearing loss. Aim To determine the sensitivity and specificity of a portable hearing screening device in middle-aged and older adults using the manufacturer scoring and a scoring system proposed by the researchers. Methods In this transversal study, participants underwent anamnesis, otoscopy, and hearing screening using portable equipment. After this, a pure tone audiometry was performed, with participants classified into two groups: with and without hearing loss. The sensitivity and specificity of the hearing screening were calculated for the right and left ears using two methods of interpretation: the original method recommended by the manufacturer (criteria 1) and the method proposed by researchers (criteria 2). Results The sample consisted of 55 individuals, 83.6% (n = 46) of whom were women. Per criteria 1, the sensitivities were 26.3 (right ear) and 21.4% (left ear). The specificity was 100% for both ears. Using criteria 2, the sensitivity was 94.7 (right ear) and 100% (left ear). The specificity was 74.3 (right ear) and 65.9% (left ear). Conclusion This study showed that the criteria proposed by the manufacturer presented low sensitivity in the hearing screening. The criteria proposed by the researchers to achieve a more efficient performance reached high and balanced values for sensitivity and specificity.

Triagem auditiva e percepção da restrição de participação social em idosos

Introduction: Portable equipment can now perform screenings that identify possible hearing loss, allowing a greater number of people to be evaluated. Self-assessment questionnaires may also provide an overview of the elderly’s perception of their problem. Purpose: To examine if the hearing-screening results in the elderly are related to their perceived restriction in social participation, and whether they are influenced by age, gender and schooling. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with elderly people of two cohabitation centers. Medical history and participant details were collected, including name, age, and schooling data. Visual inspection of the external auditory meatus and hearing screening using portable equipment were then performed. The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly – Screening Version (HHIE-S) questionnaire was then administered in the form of an interview. The HHIE-S consists of ten questions divided into two scales—social and emotional each composed of five questions. The data were then statistically analyzed. Results: Sixty-four elderly people, comprising men and women, with a mean age of 70 years and 8 months, were evaluated. Of these, 48 (75%) were classified as without perceived restriction, 12 (18.75%) with mild to moderate perceived restriction, and four (6.25%) with significant perceived restriction, according to the questionnaire criteria. The screening and questionnaire results were not influenced by gender and schooling. Age did not influence the questionnaire score, but was associated with the hearing-screening outcome. There was a relationship between hearing screening and scores on the questionnaire. Conclusion: Elderly patients who “failed” the hearing screening had higher scores in the questionnaire and older adults had worse hearing-screening results.

Tinnitus in Elderly Individuals: Discomfort and Impact in the Quality of Life

Introduction Tinnitus is a symptom that affects mainly the elderly and can negatively influence their quality of life. Objective The objective of our study is to evaluate the existence of a relationship between the quality of life and the impact caused by tinnitus in elderly individuals, considering the age and gender variables. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study in elderly people of both genders who participate in the extension activities at the university. The evaluation was composed of anamnesis and WHOQOL-OLD instruments, to evaluate the quality of life, and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) for the evaluation of the tinnitus impact. Result We evaluated 36 elderly individuals with an average age of 68.6 ± 6.8 years old, 72.2 % of them were women. We verified that most of the subjects classified their tinnitus as weak (44.4%) or medium (36.1%). The score average in the THI was 20 points, with predominant classification of tinnitus impact as negligible (41.7%) or mild (30.6%). In the WHOQOL-OLD, the average score was 15.6 ± 1.6 points (total score). The negative correlation between the THI score and the WHOQOL-OLD score was found in the sensory domain operation and total score. Conclusion The results obtained in the study prove that the quality of life of the elderly individuals evaluated is related to a discomfort caused by the tinnitus.

Dizziness, Physical Exercise, Falls, and Depression in Adults and the Elderly

Introduction Dizziness is a symptom that can lead to falls, which, in turn, undermine onés independence and autonomy, leading to several comorbidities. The practice of physical exercise, however, can help prevent falls. Objective The objective of this study is to confirm the association between physical exercise, dizziness, probability of falling, and depressive symptoms in a group of middle-aged adults and seniors. Methods The authors evaluated subjects based on history, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and functional reach test. Results The sample consisted of 90 individuals with a mean age of 69.3 ± 6.8 years. The authors found that 37.8% had been practicing exercise, 33.7% had depressive symptoms, and their probability of falling was above average in the functional reach test. Conclusion The results of this study indicated an association between dizziness, exercise practice and depressive symptoms, indicating that physical activity is a beneficial factor for the aging population.