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Geriatrics research

Everything we have read on geriatrics. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

1,442 PAPERS · PAGE 2 OF 29 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTRNOther2019Gait speed associated factors in elderly subjects undergoing exams to obtain the driver's license.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemAmong elderly people taking driver fitness tests in Brazil, slower walking speed was associated with frailty, higher BMI, lower cognition, lower grip strength, older age, female sex, and not working. The study did not test driving safety.
• PTRNOther2019Postural instability and the condition of physical frailty in the elderly.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn 381 older outpatients, postural instability was linked with frailty and pre-frailty. Reduced walking speed, fatigue, low activity, and weight loss were each associated with postural instability.
• PTRNOther2019A mixed methods study of perceived barriers to physical activity, geriatric syndromes, and physical activity levels among older adults with peripheral artery disease and diabetes.Journal of vascular nursing : official publication of the Society for Peripheral Vascular NursingTen older adults with PAD and diabetes named lack of accessibility, lack of enjoyment, lack of motivation, and pain as barriers to exercise. They spent 66.9% of their time sedentary and 10.2% in moderate to vigorous activity.
• PTOTRNCohort2019Genotype, resilience and function and physical activity post hip fracture.International journal of orthopaedic and trauma nursingAt two months after hip fracture, resilience was associated with genetic variation and social activity, and with better function and more exercise. The study cannot show cause.
• PTOther2019Physical activity and postural balance in rural community dwelling older adults.Applied nursing research : ANRPhysical activity did not add to age, sex, or body mass index in relation to balance, despite some positive links. Rural older adults mostly did light activity, and only 18 met moderate-intensity guidelines.
• PTOTRNQualitative2019Wishes and needs of older persons who have experienced a fall: A qualitative study.Nursing openOlder people after a fall wanted to keep doing meaningful activities, stay independent, and have social contact. They valued Falls Clinic and physiotherapist contact, while some men denied needing help.
• PTOTRNCase-Control2020Falls in hospital: a case-control study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesHospital patients with poor or very poor balance were far more likely to fall. Older age, male sex and sedating or mental-health drugs were also linked. Check balance and review these drugs early.
• PTOTRNOther2020Impact of Function Focused Care and Physical Activity on Falls in Assisted Living Residents.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresModerate physical activity was associated with a slightly lower risk of falling in assisted living residents. Exposure to function focused care was not significantly associated with falls. Neither activity nor the care approach increased fall risk, challenging the belief that movement causes falls.
• PTOTRNCohort2019The association of patient-reported improvement and rehabilitation characteristics with mortality.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults who reported their function got worse during rehabilitation had significantly higher odds of dying within a year compared to those who improved. This risk persisted even after accounting for age, sex, and health conditions, suggesting patient-reported outcomes can help identify high-risk patients.
• PTRNCohort2019The Clinical Potential of Frailty Indicators on Identifying Recurrent Fallers in the Community: The Mr. Os and Ms. OS Cohort Study in Hong Kong.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationFall history was the strongest predictor of recurrent falls in older adults. Frailty indicators did not beat it; they added little, mainly in women with a prior fall.
• PTSurvey2019Home-Based Gait Speed Assessment: Normative Data and Racial/Ethnic Correlates Among Older Adults.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults walking at normal pace at home had lower gait speed with age, female sex, African-American or Hispanic status, and more health problems; slow speed predicted four-year death, so use group-specific norms rather than one universal cutoff.
• PTOTQualitative2020Strategies older adults use in their work to get back to normal following hospitalization.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Older adults recovering from hospitalization described 'pushing themselves' through exercise and resuming daily tasks to regain function. They relied heavily on family encouragement and provider feedback to set safe limits, while pain and lack of energy stopped progress.
• PTRCT2020Examining Potential Psychosocial Mediators in a Physical Activity Intervention for Older Adults.Western journal of nursing researchPhysical activity gains were not shown to be explained by readiness, self-assessment, or goal attainment, although interpersonal strategies raised these ratings in older adults.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2020Meta-analysis and GRADE profiles of exercise interventions for falls prevention in long-term care facilities.Journal of advanced nursingExercise did not significantly reduce falls overall, but balance-focused and longer-than-six-month programs showed promise. Frail residents faced an increased fall risk from exercise. Technical devices showed moderate-confidence benefits, while tai chi reduced fear of falling without reducing actual falls.
• PTOTRNOther2020Gender Differences in Function, Physical Activity, Falls, Medication Use, and Life Satisfaction Among Residents in Assisted Living Settings.Research in gerontological nursingIn assisted living residents, women reported higher satisfaction with activities and received more medications than men. Function, physical activity, falls, and other satisfaction scores did not differ by gender.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2020Promoting Behavioral Change in Mobile Health Interventions for Older Adults: A Scoping Review.Research in gerontological nursingMobile health interventions for adults 60 and older generally increased physical activity, medication adherence, and disease self-management. Feedback, monitoring, and goal-setting were the most common techniques used to drive these changes.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2019Frailty syndrome and cognitive impairment in older adults: systematic review of the literature.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemThe pooled results were mixed. Frail older adults were 1.24 times more likely to have cognitive decline in one analysis, but another analysis did not show a significant association.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2020How much do hospitalized adults move? A systematic review and meta-analysis.Applied nursing research : ANRHospitalized adults spent 87 to 100 percent of a 24-hour period lying or sitting. Medical inpatients had an average standing or walking time of 70 minutes, but studies varied widely.
• PTOTRNSurvey2020Outcome Priorities for Older Persons With Sarcopenia.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults with sarcopenia valued mobility most (30%), then household tasks (22%), falls (18%), fatigue (17%), and quality of life (14%). Ask which outcomes matter before setting goals.
• PTOTRNMeta-Analysis2020Prevalence of Hospital-Associated Disability in Older Adults: A Meta-analysis.Journal of the American Medical Directors Association30% of older adults lose independence in daily activities such as bathing, dressing, toilet use or eating after acute hospitalization. Check ADL status on admission and discharge, because loss is associated with nursing home placement and death.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Frailty and Neurocognitive Impairment: Impacts on Quality of Life in HIV.The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANACFrailty, but not cognitive impairment, was linked to lower quality of life in people with HIV. Frail participants had significantly worse physical and mental health scores than robust ones. This association was specific to the HIV-positive group, suggesting frailty screening is vital for this population.
• PTRNPilot2020A personalized behavioral intervention implementing mHealth technologies for older adults: A pilot feasibility study.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Sleep, the primary outcome, did not improve significantly after a 4-week multi-component mHealth activity program in 8 older adults. Sitting time decreased and activity increased, but there was no control group.
• PTOTRNQualitative2020Using the Social Ecological Model to Identify Drivers of Nutrition Risk in Adult Day Settings Serving East Asian Older Adults.Research in gerontological nursingEast Asian older adults described eating more when meals were familiar and peers encouraged them. Staff noted language, cognition, swallowing, medication, and family barriers.
• PTRNOther2020Development and validation of a complex intervention: A physical exercise programme aimed at delaying the functional decline in frail older adults.Nursing openA 30-minute exercise programme for frail institutionalized older adults was rated feasible and acceptable by professionals, students and residents, but the study did not test whether it improves function, falls or quality of life.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2020A new conceptual model of experiences of aging in place in the United States: Results of a systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative studies.International journal of nursing studiesAging in place is an active negotiation, not passive residence. Older adults balance threats to identity, connection, and home against their agency. Without resources, staying put can mean isolation, loss of dignity, and unsafe conditions rather than preferred independence.
• PTRNOther2020Sleep Quality Associated With Motor Function Among Older Adult Survivors of Critical Illness.Nursing researchAmong 29 older adults 24 to 48 hours after ICU discharge, longer measured nighttime sleep was linked to weaker grip strength. Those with OSA history also had weaker grip strength. This was a link, not proof that sleep causes weakness.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2020Effect of Age on Longitudinal Changes in Symptoms, Function, and Outcome in the First Year After Mild-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience NursesOlder adults with mild-moderate brain injury report more balance and coordination problems and worse physical health than younger adults in the first year. They also have higher risk of repeat falls. Screen for these specific issues and refer to balance programs.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Social Participation of Older Adults: A Concept Analysis.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferySocial participation for older adults requires active engagement in community activities, interaction with others, resource sharing, and personal satisfaction. It is distinct from social support or networks. Nurses and therapists can use this definition to identify patients who are isolated versus those who simply have low activity levels.
• PTOTRNCohort2020Determinants of Maintenance and Recovery of Function in a Representative Older Community-Resident Biracial Sample.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAbout three quarters of older adults stayed independent in basic self-care over six years. Nearly half of those who became impaired recovered, and recovery was linked to younger age, no recent hospitalization, and larger household.
• PTOTRCT2020Effects of Ving Tsun sticking-hand training on upper-limb sensorimotor performance in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults: A randomized controlled trial.International journal of nursing sciencesThree months of Ving Tsun sticking-hand training did not improve elbow-joint position sense or maximum upper-limb strength in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. It did reduce the time shoulder flexors took to reach maximum force.
• PTOTRNRCT2020Effect of Delirium on Physical Function in Noncardiac Thoracic Surgery Patients.American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care NursesDelirium after major noncardiac thoracic surgery did not significantly change muscle strength scores. Patients with delirium had lower self-reported independence at discharge, but this was a secondary outcome in a small analysis.
• PTOTRNCohort2020Effects of Statins for Secondary Prevention on Functioning and Other Outcomes Among Nursing Home Residents.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationStarting statins after AMI in frail nursing home residents was associated with an average 16-day increase in survival time over one year. It was not associated with differences in functional decline or rehospitalization.
• PTOTRNOther2020Sensory and cognitive functions, gait ability and functionality of older adults.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn older adults, slower gait, shorter steps and lower cadence were linked to more dependence in daily activities. Some sensory tests were not. Use gait and function scores as markers, not proof that treating them prevents dependency.
• PTRCT2020Respiratory rehabilitation in elderly patients with COVID-19: A randomized controlled study.Complementary therapies in clinical practiceSix weeks of respiratory rehabilitation improved lung function, walking distance, quality of life, and anxiety in older adults without COPD discharged after COVID-19. It did not improve daily living independence or depression.
• PTRNOther2020Risk of falls in people with chronic kidney disease and related factors.Revista latino-americana de enfermagem37.4% of 131 hemodialysis patients reported at least one fall in the past year. Diabetes, walking aids, and difficulty walking were linked to more falls or high fall risk. Women and people with less schooling feared falling most.
• PTRNSystematic Review2020Benefits of Qigong as an integrative and complementary practice for health: a systematic review.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemQigong trials reported improvements in fatigue, pain, sleep, mood, function and quality of life in adults and older adults, but several trials found no benefit, so it does not prove it works for every condition.
• PTRNOther2021Black American older adults' motivation to engage in osteoarthritis treatment recommendations for pain self-management: A mixed methods study.International journal of nursing studiesOlder Black Americans with osteoarthritis reported high motivation, but pain, unsafe neighborhoods, no pool, low access, and disbelief blocked recommended exercise and self-management. Group settings, home equipment, and empathetic education helped.
• PTOTSLPRNSurvey2021Comorbid Conditions, Mental Health and Cognitive Functions in Adults with Fibromyalgia.Western journal of nursing researchPeople with fibromyalgia in their 50s reported the most comorbid conditions and worse sensory symptoms. Those in their 70s reported the best self-rated cognitive function and least severe anxiety. Age shapes the symptom profile but does not predict pain severity.
• PTCohort2020Walking Speed and Muscle Mass Estimated by the D3-Creatine Dilution Method Are Important Components of Sarcopenia Associated With Incident Mobility Disability in Older Men: A Classification and Regression Tree Analysis.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn older men, walking speed under 0.88 m/s was the most important predictor of later mobility disability. Estimated muscle mass and chair stand speed also predicted it. Grip strength and DXA lean mass did not.
• PTOTRNCohort2020Risk of Hospitalized Falls and Hip Fractures in 22,103 Older Adults Receiving Mental Health Care vs 161,603 Controls: A Large Cohort Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder adults using mental health services had twice the rate of hospitalized falls and 4 times the rate of hip fractures compared with local residents. Substance use, bipolar disorder, dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and delirium carried particularly high risk.
• PTOTSLPRNNarrative Review2021Important perioperative factors, guidelines and outcomes in the management of hip fracture.Journal of perioperative practiceThis review summarises perioperative care for hip fracture patients. It highlights the need for early surgery, prompt mobilisation, and awareness of physical and psychosocial complications. It notes that current risk prediction tools do not yet account for social factors.
• PTRNCohort2020Training Needs Among Family Caregivers Assisting During Home Health, as Identified by Home Health Clinicians.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHome health clinicians identified a training need for 35.7% of family caregivers assisting with any task. Need was highest for medical procedures and lowest for advocacy. Caregivers were less likely to be identified as needing training if family help had begun before home health.
• PTRNSurvey2020Development and testing of a frailty-focused communication (FCOM) aid for older adults.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Most adults found a frailty education booklet understandable and liked it. Among those not already doing all they could, 85% said they would probably or definitely make a plan for aging, but real behavior change was not measured.
• PTCohort2020Cumulative and Incremental Value of Sarcopenia Components on Predicting Adverse Outcomes.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAdding grip strength and walking speed to a sarcopenia screening questionnaire improved prediction of adverse outcomes in community-dwelling older adults. Better strength and function was associated with lower risk. Muscle mass measured by DXA added little and sometimes was associated with higher risk.
• PTRNCohort2020Co-occurrence of decrements in physical and cognitive function is common in older oncology patients receiving chemotherapy.European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society39.3% of older patients receiving chemotherapy had low physical and cognitive function together, and 15.6% had very low physical function with moderate cognition. The profiles stayed stable over two cycles. Assess both.
• PTRCT2021Effects of Qigong Exercise on Physical and Psychological Health among African Americans.Western journal of nursing research15 African American adults completed an eight-week group Qigong program that included home video practice, breathing, meditation, and music. Some chair-stand and physical function scores improved, but with no control group improvement cannot be attributed to any part.
• PTOTRNSurvey2020A Study of Physical Activity, Frailty, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Taiwan.The journal of nursing research : JNRIn 150 community-dwelling older adults, better upper limb strength and flexibility, along with higher physical activity, were linked to higher health-related quality of life. Being prefrail was associated with lower quality of life scores. These are correlations, not evidence that exercise improves outcomes.
• PTOTRNQualitative2021How Context Influences Hospital Readmissions from Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Rapid Ethnographic Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHigh-performing hospitals had better communication flow and shared team expectations, while low-performing sites faced delays from missing nurse huddles and unsigned PT notes. Insurance status and physical office layouts also shaped discharge speed.
• PTOTRNNarrative Review2021A Paradigm Shift for Movement-based Pain Assessment in Older Adults: Practice, Policy and Regulatory Drivers.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesPain scores at rest may miss pain that limits older adults' movement and function. This review recommends assessing pain during walking, turning, or daily activities, but these are expert recommendations, not tested interventions.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2020Risk Factors, Presentation, and Course of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in a Large, Academic Long-Term Care Facility.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn a large nursing home, 45.5% of residents who tested positive for COVID-19 had no symptoms at diagnosis. Male sex, bowel incontinence, and staff living in high-prevalence communities were linked to infection, while 30.1% of infected residents died.