Hideaki Hanaoka

Study on effects of life review activities on the quality of life of the elderly: A randomized controlled trial

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the mid-term efficacy of life review activities on the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly by conducting a randomized controlled trial, and to identify the factors that should be taken into consideration when conducting life review activities. Methods: Written consent was obtained from 80 of the 97 eligible elderly persons. After randomly assigning them to two groups, an intervention group and a control group, group life review activities were conducted in the intervention group and discussion activities about health were conducted in the control group. In both the intervention group and the control group, life satisfaction, self-esteem, depression, and hopelessness were evaluated using self-rating scales at three points: at baseline, immediately after completion of the 8 weeks of sessions, and 3 months after completion of the intervention. Results: Repeated measures analysis of covariance showed significant differences between the two groups in the changes in scores for depression (p = 0.04) and hopelessness (p = 0.04). Regarding the factors that were associated with depression and hopelessness, 3 months after completion of the intervention, depression and hopelessness of a more severe nature at baseline and having greater unresolved conflicts in the past were extracted by multiple regression analysis. Conclusions: The results suggested that group life review activities have a role in assisting the developmental stage of old age and supporting mental health, and have mid- to long-term effectiveness in maintaining and improving the QOL of the elderly.

Testing the Feasibility of Using Odors in Reminiscence Therapy in Japan

ABSTRACT The purpose of this feasibility study was to assess effects of a group reminiscence program using odor stimulation for older adults on depression and subjective well-being. The subjects were 22 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older. The group reminiscence therapy was performed eight times, and the assessment was made at three occasions, i.e., 1 month before the intervention, immediately before the intervention, and immediately after completion of the intervention using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and Life Satisfaction Index K. Significant changes were discovered in the GDS-15 in the repeated measure analysis of variance. When multiple comparisons were made, significant differences were found between 1 month before the intervention and immediately after completion of the intervention, as well as immediately before the intervention and immediately after completion of the intervention. The results suggested that this group reminiscence therapy might be effective for maintaining the mental health of older adults.

Reminiscence triggers in community-dwelling older adults in Japan

Introduction Visual and auditory cues have been highlighted as methods to trigger reminiscences; however, the basis of this practice remains unclear. Here we conducted a preliminary cross-sectional study to identify reminiscence cues and their scientific basis by investigating the relationship between reminiscences in elderly people and their reminiscence cues. Method The participants were 126 older adults aged 65 years or over. They were asked about the experiences of reminiscences in response to stimuli such as photographs, music, or smells. Data on the frequency and quality of reminiscences were collected. Geriatric depression scale and simple personality test for the elderly were assessed. Results A multiple regression analysis revealed that reminiscences tended to be more frequent in older and less sociable participants. Highly sociable participants with reminiscences in response to olfactory stimuli tended to have positive reminiscences, while participants with less sociability and past unresolved issues tended to have negative reminiscences. Conclusion To understand the process of reminiscence in an older person, it is important to consider the person’s age, personality characteristics, and past unresolved issues. In addition, olfactory stimuli may also evoke pleasant reminiscences.

Behavioral Intervention in the Overweight and ObeseEmployee: The Challenge of Promoting Weight Lossand Physical Activity

Effects of gender and employment situation on weight loss and lifestyle modification were assessed in a 3-month intervention study done for overweight and obesity. A total of 384 individuals in Izumo City Japan, participated from 2000 to 2006. Lifestyle modifications were quantitatively evaluated by calculating calories of energy intake and expenditure. Eleven men and 15 women failed to complete the intervention; they were significantly younger in both genders, and the women had a higher rate of employment than the completing group (91 men and 267 women). Intervention induced a weight loss of 1.9 kg for men and 1.6 kg for women, with no significant differences by gender. Significant differences were found in changes in energy intake and expenditure in both genders, but these disappeared after adjusting for weight. There were significant decreases in weight (1.6 kg in unemployed, 2.5 kg in employed) in men. Increases in walking and exercise for the employed were smaller than those for the unemployed. The relationship between changes in weight and energy balance by employment status was independently significant using multiple regression analysis. Employment is associated with difficulty in losing weight due to limited exercise time in behavioral intervention.

Effect of Exercise on a Speed Feedback Therapy System in Elderly Persons

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine if a speed feedback therapy system exercise with an ergometer would be more effective than only the ergometer exercise in increasing frontal cerebral blood flow. Nineteen elderly persons residing in the community participated in an ergometer exercise program and speed feedback exercise program, and the blood oxy-hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentration of their frontal cerebral area was measured by near-infrared spectroscopy during exercise and at rest. The results showed that the peak Oxy-Hb concentration during speed feedback system exercise was significantly higher than during ergometer exercise. And, both the mean Oxy-Hb concentration 3 minutes after the speed feedback system exercise and the peak Oxy-Hb concentration after the speed feedback system exercise were significantly higher than after ergometer exercise. The results suggested that speed feedback system exercise effectively increased frontal cerebral blood flow.

Effects of olfactory stimulation on reminiscence practice in community-dwelling elderly individuals: Olfactory stimulation on reminiscence

There has been little research on reminiscence cues and their effectiveness. The purpose of the present study was to measure the effects of reminiscence practice using olfactory stimuli on the mental health and cognitive functions of community‐dwelling elderly individuals.

Psychosocial Factors That Have an Influence on the Effects of Obesity Improvement Programs

Objective: The objective of the present study was to clarify the relationship between factors having an influence on obesity improvement programs and psychosocial factors from a more comprehensive point of view. Methods: We studied a total of 43 subjects with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 or higher who wished to take part in an obesity improvement program and agreed to participate in the study. We conducted an obesity improvement program based on behavior change theories for three months and evaluated physical composition, mental health, social support, stress-coping and the like before intervention and immediately after completion of the program. Results: The average weight showed a significant decrease from 69.0 ± 8.8 kg to 65.7 ± 8.7 kg before and after intervention (p<0.001), respectively. It was also shown that the presence or absence of chronic diseases, social support from a spouse and the decrease of avoidance stress coping were related to weight loss. Conclusion: The findings suggest that it will be further necessary to continue working on the need to enhance awareness about stress with a view to preventing occurrence of rebound after the end of weight loss programs and acquisition coping techniques, apart from the cooperation of attending doctors, strengthening of social support from family and friends and managing stress for the duration of the program.

Depression and Associated Factors in Residents of a Health Care Institution for the Elderly

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depression among residents of a health care institution for the elderly and to identify factors associated with it. The subjects were 44 elderly persons who had resided in a health care institution for the elderly for 3 months or more. The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia was used to evaluate depression. The results showed that 50% of the residents exhibited mild to moderate depression and that visual impairment, hypochondriac symptoms, grooming ability, and social cognition ability were significantly associated with it. These results suggested that rehabilitative interventions focused on grooming and social cognition may prevent or mitigate the depression of residents of health care institutions for the elderly. However, a longitudinal study is necessary to elucidate case-effect relationships.