Geriatrics

Back pain is common in highly active older adults

Date: February 7, 2018 Source: Wiley Summary: Many well-functioning and highly active older adults experienced back pain, which was linked with poorer perceived and observed walking endurance. In a Journal of the American Geriatrics Societystudy, many well-functioning and highly active older adults experienced back pain, which was linked with poorer perceived and observed walking endurance. “Older […]

Tai chi may help prevent falls in older and at-risk adults

Date: July 24, 2017 Source: Wiley Summary: An analysis of published studies indicates that tai chi may help reduce the number of falls in both the older adult population and at-risk adults. An analysis of published studies indicates that tai chi may help reduce the number of falls in both the older adult population and […]

The impact of the Mediterranean diet on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Advances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal Loughrey DG, et al. This investigation contemplated the effect of the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults. The strongest evidence yielded was indicative of a beneficial effect of the MeDi on the global cognition of older adults. The effect of study design and […]

Many US adults taking too much vitamin D

JUNE 21, 2017 Reuters Health News Nearly one in five US adults are taking supplemental vitamin D, and a growing number are taking excessively high doses linked to an increased risk of fractures, falls, kidney stones and certain cancers, a new study suggests. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D for most adults is 600 […]

Can staying active help to prevent chronic pain? Physical activity affects pain modulation in older adults

Date: February 24, 2017 Source: Wolters Kluwer Health Summary: Older adults with higher levels of physical activity have pain modulation patterns that might help lower their risk of developing chronic pain, reports a study. Older adults with higher levels of physical activity have pain modulation patterns that might help lower their risk of developing chronic […]

Dietary Supplements for the Prevention of Falls and Fall-Related Injuries

Aleah M. Rodriguez, PharmD January 11, 2017 Question Several dietary supplements claim to prevent falls. Does the evidence support the use of them? Response from Aleah M. Rodriguez, PharmD Natural Medicines Research Fellow, Instructor of Pharmacy Practice, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska Of adults aged 65 years or older, 9.6% have reported falling at least once […]

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with functional decline and falls in frail elderly women despite supplementation

Osteoporosis International, 12/16/2016Kotlarczyk MP, et al. In this study, physicians tried to evaluate the effect of daily supplementation on vitamin D deficiency, function, and falls in female long–term care residents. It was resulted out that institute of medicine guidelines may not be adequate for frail elderly. Future research of optimal 25(OH) D levels for maintaining […]

Cost-effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy, supervised exercise, and home exercise for older adults with chronic neck pain

Brent Leininger, DC, MS The Spine Journal Volume 16, Issue 11, November 2016, Pages 1292–1304 Abstract Background Context Chronic neck pain is a prevalent and disabling condition among older adults. Despite the large burden of neck pain, little is known regarding the cost-effectiveness of commonly used treatments. Purpose This study aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness […]

Obesity May Increase Cognitive Decline via Inflammation

Liam Davenport October 24, 2016 Being overweight or obese leads to clinically meaningful increases in the rate of cognitive decline in association with changes in inflammatory markers in the blood, a new analysis of longitudinal data suggests. The results, which indicate that an increased body mass index (BMI) may accelerate cognitive decline by several months […]

Falls are leading cause of injury and death in older Americans

Press Release Embargoed Until: Thursday, September 22, 2016, 1:00 p.m. ET Contact: Media Relations (404) 639-3286 Every second of every day in the United States an older adult falls, making falls the number one cause of injuries and deaths from injury among older Americans. In 2014 alone, older Americans experienced 29 million falls causing seven […]

Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care to Improve Sensorimotor Function Associated With Falls Risk in Older People: A Randomized Controlled Trial

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2016 May; 39(4):267-78. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2016.02.003. Epub 2016 Apr 2. Holt KR1, Haavik H2, Lee AC3, Murphy B4, Elley CR5. Author information Abstract OBJECTIVE: This study assessed whether 12 weeks of chiropractic care was effective in improving sensorimotor function associated with fall risk, compared with no intervention, in community-dwelling older adults living […]

Number of Seniors Mixing Medications, Supplements Rising

Many do not tell their doctors, putting them at risk for dangerous drug interactions TUESDAY, March 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — More seniors than ever are taking supplements alongside their medications, a practice that puts them at risk for dangerous drug interactions, according to research published online March 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine. Dima Qato, […]

Blueberries May Boost Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Megan Brooks March 15, 2016 Eating blueberries may improve thinking and memory skills in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), new research suggests. “There is a very large, basic-science literature ― molecular studies, cellular studies, and animal studies ― that demonstrates cognitive enhancement with blueberries, but there are only just a few human studies […]

Practicing tai chi reduces risk of falling in older adults

Date: March 11, 2016 Source: American Geriatrics Society Summary: Researchers have compared the effects of tai chi to leg strengthening exercises (a physical therapy called ‘lower extremity training,’ or LET) in reducing falls. After six months of training, people in the tai chi group were significantly less likely to experience an injury-causing fall than were […]

Preventing Dementia by Promoting Physical Activity and the Long-Term Impact on Health and Social Care Expenditures

February 16, 2016 Preventive Medicine TAKE-HOME MESSAGE A simulation model in the UK was used to test scenarios based on varying assumptions regarding physical activity in the population to determine the effect on health and resources of preventing dementia by promoting physical activity. While spending over a lifetime for dementia was highest for physically inactive […]

PPIs May Hike Dementia Risk in Elderly

02.15.2016 German claims data show association; stronger in men than women by Kristina Fiore Associate Editor, MedPage Today Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were associated with an increased risk of dementia, and the relationship was stronger in men than women, according to a study of German medical claims data. In an assessment of data from the […]

Occupant and Crash Characteristics of Elderly Subjects With Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Injuries After Motor Vehicle Collisions

Spine: January 2016 – Volume 41 – Issue 1 – p 32–38 Rao, Raj D. MD Abstract Study Design. Retrospective study of a prospectively gathered database. Objective. To investigate the incidence and pattern of thoracic and lumbar (T and L) spine injuries among elderly subjects involved in motor vehicle collision (MVC). Summary of Background Data. […]

Fractures Can Lead to Premature Death in Older People

Date: November 8, 2015 Source: American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Summary: A new study shows certain fractures due to osteoporosis can cause premature death in people 45 and older. This is the largest study, to date, that shows a connection between these fractures and premature death. A new study, presented this week at the American […]

Atrial Fibrillation and, Eventually, Dementia

October 19, 2015 Written by Jared Bunch MD Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia observed in clinical practice. It increases in prevalence with age, sleep apnea, obesity, inactivity and sedentary lifestyles, hypertension, and other acquired cardiovascular diseases. Dementia has emerged as a significant source of morbidity and mortality in developed countries and shares […]

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Chiropractic Compared to Physical Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain in Community Dwelling Geriatric Patients

Dennis E. Enix, DC, MBA Topics in Integrative Health Care 2015, Vol. 6(1)   ID: 6.1002 Background: Chronic low back pain is the most frequently reported musculoskeletal condition in the elderly, affecting up to 50% of this age cohort. It is a leading falls related comorbidity and robust predictor of morbidity among the elderly. Methods: This […]