Search results
1 – 2 of 2Keisuke Kaneko, Fumihito Sasamori, Masao Okuhara, Suchinda Jarupat Maruo, Kazuki Ashida, Hisaaki Tabuchi, Hisaki Akasaki, Kazuki Kobayashi, Yuya Aoyagi, Noriaki Watanabe, Tomoyuki Nishino and Koji Terasawa
This study aims to evaluate a human rights-informed dementia prevention program promoting better health and social care among older adults. In this study, the authors examined…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate a human rights-informed dementia prevention program promoting better health and social care among older adults. In this study, the authors examined whether a dual-task training would improve cognition in healthy older adults.
Design/methodology/approach
Individuals attending the systematic health education program for older adults based in Japan were recruited for study inclusion, and divided into a dual-task training group (TG) and a control group (CG). The TG underwent 90 min of a weekly dual-task training for 12 weeks. Severity of dementia was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test. Brain function was assessed using a go/no-go task paradigm, during which cerebral blood flow was additionally measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy to quantify oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb).
Findings
MMSE total score, number of errors in the go/no-go tasks and oxy-Hb values showed significant improvements in the TG.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to the small number of participants allocated to the CG, the results must be interpreted with caution. Replication and further validation based on large-scale, randomized-controlled trials is warranted.
Practical implications
This study highlights potential benefits of incorporating an early prevention training for dementia into a human rights-friendly health education program.
Social implications
This study suggests a potential means to reduce costs of social security and health care by introducing a human rights-informed dementia prevention program.
Originality/value
The results suggest that dual-task training may improve cognitive function in healthy older adults, thereby contributing to better health and improvement of social health care, based on a human rights-informed health education program for the prevention of dementia.
Details
Keywords
Satomi Fujimori, Suchinda Jarupat Maruo, Toshiaki Watanabe, Naoya Taki, Fumihito Sasamori, Kazuki Kobayashi, Hisaki Akasaki, Masao Okuhara, Ryoji Uchiyama, Kazuki Ashida, Hisaaki Tabuchi and Koji Terasawa
This study aims to establish a Japanese-style healthcare program customized for Japan and Asia under ISO 9001: 2008 (ISO: International Organization for Standardization) to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to establish a Japanese-style healthcare program customized for Japan and Asia under ISO 9001: 2008 (ISO: International Organization for Standardization) to improve problem areas and to inspect the effectiveness of the program. Furthermore, the authors wanted to create this health program using the ISO widely available in Asian countries and make an international contribution.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors implemented a 6- to 10-month health program in Minowa Town, Matsumoto City and Nagano City in Japan. This study assessed findings from pedometric, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements and physical fitness, blood chemistry and brain function tests.
Findings
The comparisons were made by examining the interaction effects between groups of participants. Groups from three regions in Japan showed significant differences on the physical fitness tests; regarding the 10-meter obstacle walk, the results of the Minowa participants showed the greatest improvement and the Matsumoto participants showed the second greatest improvement. In the six-min walk, the time of the Minowa participants significantly improved.
Research limitations/implications
This health education program, which has been conducted by the Japanese authors since 1998, measures anthropometry, brain function and physical fitness and performs blood tests before and after the program and it measures energy consumption with a pedometer during the program. With the aim of improving exercise via encouragement from friends and a sense of community with fellow participants, participants learn together with hands-on training in tai chi and aerobics about the importance of ongoing exercise and proper nutrition. This health education met the Health Education ISO in 2014.
Practical implications
Since 2010, Nagano Prefecture, including Minowa Town, Matsumoto City and Nagano City, where our study was carried out, has been the area with the highest life expectancy rates in Japan.
Social implications
The authors want to make this health promotion through ISO widely available in Asian countries and an international contribution.
Originality/value
This study aimed to appropriately establish a Japanese-style healthcare program under the ISO 9001:2008 to improve problem areas and inspect its effectiveness.
Details