Tetsuya Yamagami

Effects of Intervention Using a Community-Based Walking Program for Prevention of Mental Decline: A Randomized Controlled Trial

To evaluate the efficacy of a municipality‐led walking program under the Japanese public Long‐Term Care Insurance Act to prevent mental decline.

Effect of activity reminiscence therapy as brain-activating rehabilitation for elderly people with and without dementia

Background:  Preventing the progression of dementia is a widespread challenge. However, currently there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of dementia rehabilitation.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Brain-Activating Rehabilitation for Elderly Participants with Dementia in Residential Care Homes

Background/Aims: We aimed to prove the effectiveness of brain-activating rehabilitation for dementia, which consisted of 5 principles: pleasant atmosphere, communication, praising, social role, and supportive care. Methods: The design was a randomized controlled trial that was not blinded. Fifty-four elderly participants with dementia (mean age: 85.2 years) were selected. Intervention based on the 5 principles of brain-activating rehabilitation was conducted for 1 h, twice a week, for 12 weeks (24 sessions). The control group had no treatment. Outcome measures consisted of two observation scales, namely sum of boxes in clinical dementia rating (CDR-SB) and the multidimensional observation scale for elderly subjects (MOSES), and two cognitive tests: the Hasegawa dementia scale revised (HDS-R) and trail making test A. Results: Repeated measure ANCOVA showed a significant interaction for total score of CDR-SB (F = 7.190, p = 0.015) and MOSES (F = 4.525, p = 0.038). There were no significant changes in the two cognitive test scores. Conclusion: Intervention based on the principles of brain-activating rehabilitation was effective in maintaining and improving daily life functions in elderly participants with dementia in residential care homes.

The impact of subjective memory complaints on quality of life in community-dwelling older adults

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of memory complaints on quality of life (QOL) in elderly community dwellers with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Yamaguchi fox-pigeon imitation test: a rapid test for dementia.

Background/Aims: We herein propose a hand-gesture imitation test, consisting of a simple one-handed sign of a ‘fox’ and a complex two-handed sign of a ‘pigeon’, as a rapid, game-like test for detecting dementia/Alzheimer disease (AD) with low psychological burden. The test measures the visuomotor function, which deteriorates in the early stages of AD. Methods: We examined 88 demented subjects, 19 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 53 normal controls aged 65 years or over. The subjects were classified according to the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Results: The specificity of the test was 94%, and the sensitivity was 58% in CDR 0.5 (MCI), 77% in CDR 1 (mild dementia), 75% in CDR 2 (moderate dementia), and 90% in CDR 3 (severe dementia). The test could be conducted within 1 min and no subjects refused to be tested. Conclusion: This brief hand-gesture imitation test can sensitively evaluate visuomotor deficits in dementia/AD, while some subjects are unaware of their failure or even that their cognitive function is being tested. We herein describe the precise protocol for worldwide use.

Prevention of cognitive and physical decline by enjoyable walking‐habituation program based on brain‐activating rehabilitation

Evaluating effects of an enjoyable walking‐habituation program.

Obtaining Information from Family Caregivers Is Important to Detect Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms and Caregiver Burden in Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: The objectives of this study are to clarify the differences between the difficulties in daily life experienced by patients with both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and chronic disease and those experienced by healthy elderly individuals. Methods: We assessed (a) cognitive function; (b) gait ability; (c) behavioral and psychological symptoms (observed at home); (d) activities of daily living (observed at home); (e) family caregiver burden, and (f) intention to continue family caregiving of 255 cognitively normal and 103 MCI subjects attending adult day care services covered by long-term care insurance, and compared the two groups. Results: Subjects with MCI display more behavioral and psychological symptoms than cognitively normal subjects, posing a heavy caregiver burden (p < 0.01). Behavioral and psychological symptoms most commonly observed in subjects with MCI are apathy, hallucinations, delusions, agitation, and aberrant motor behavior. Conclusion: Information regarding the behavioral and psychological symptoms displayed at home by patients with MCI can only be obtained from family caregivers living with the patients. To provide early-stage support for elderly patients with MCI, adult day care workers should collect information from family caregivers regarding behavioral and psychological symptoms observed at home.