Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing
Year:2009 | Volume:4 | Issue:11|Papers Count:10

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to determine the interactive role of physical activity and personality traits in psychosocial development of elders.Materials and methods: This research was a casual comparative with 300 elders (150 active and 150 non-actives) with 60-85 years old from Tehran selected as statistical sample on available bases. All subjects completed psychosocial development questionnaire (MPD) and Eysenk personality traits questionnaire (EPI). Data were analyzed with using descriptive statistic (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistic (t-test and Factorial ANOVA) with SPSS software Vr.11.5 on P<0.05.Results: Data showed that %70 of active and %68 of non-active elders were in range of 60-70 years old, %55 of active and %53.3 of non-active elders had completed high school and %46.7 of active and %56.7 of non-active elders were moderate level, considering economic condition.The level of personality traits (extroversion-introversion and stable-unstable personality traits) and psychosocial development in active elders were higher than non-active elders and active elders with extroversion and stable traits were in higher psychosocial status.Conclusion: The finding of this research showed that physical activity modifies the interaction between personality traits and psychosocial development. Therefore, active living style in life span, probably with the effect of positive personality traits, could postpone physical and psychosocial regression during aging.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and type II diabetes in elderly Iranian residents of the Kahrizak Charity Foundation (KCF).Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of two hundred sixty eight men and women ³60 years were studied. The data were collected during annual health examination of the elderly residents in KCF. Hypertension and diabetes were defined based on JNC VII and American Diabetes Association, respectively.Results: Crude prevalence of hypertension was 55% in men and 67% in women. In hypertensives, mean age and Body Mass Index (BMI) were significantly higher than normotensives. Diabetes prevalence was 21% in men and 16% in women. Means of age, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol in diabetic were significantly more than normal ones.Conclusion: Body mass index and hypertension showed significant correlation and women were at higher risk for hypertension. Instead, men were at higher risk of diabetes and its related factors.

Objective: The purpose of this multi-center study was to investigate the probable predictive factors of mortality and morbidity in elderly population.Materials and Methods: The descriptive prospective study was conducted based on the data gathered from trauma cases older than 65 years admitted to Sina, Shohada and Fayaz-Bakhsh trauma centers during years 1997-98. A pre-prepared questionnaire including the demographic data of the cases and information on the mechanism and the severity of the injury was filled for all the patients upon their arrival in the emergency department; it was, thereafter, completed in terms of the therapeutic measures and procedures performed for the patients and the outcomes (discharge, death, ...) following their admission. The gathered data were then analyzed.Results: A total of 296 patients with the mean age of 71.8 met inclusion criteria. Motor vehicle accident was the most frequent mechanism of injury. Overall 18 patients (6.1%) died, which mostly happened in the ICU.Conclusion: The type and severity of the injury assessment based on ISS and GCS scores were the most important factors to predict mortality. The statistics showed that there was not a significant correlation between general surgery and the rate of mortality, while the orthopedic operation had a significant role in decreasing mortality.

Objective: The authors of this paper hypothesized that vibration stimulation applied by a vibratory orthosis improves balance in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study we evaluate this hypothesis.Materials and methods: Fourteen PD patients (12 male and 2 female) with mean age of 59.9±9.1(±SD) years were participated in this cross- sectional study. Using Biodex balance system, the overall stability index in two conditions of eyes-open and eyes-close, each with two situations of motors On and motors Off of the vibratory orthosis were evaluated. Analysis of variance and paired t statistics were used separately to determine the existence of difference and to compare mean values of overall stability index in all four test situations.Results: Analysis of variance test showed a significant difference in mean values of overall stability index in all four test situations (P=0.000).The findings of the study showed that balance improved in all situations that compares eyes-open with eyes-close (P=0.000). Balance. was better in eyes-open model with motors On rather than motors Off (p=0.013). In eyes-close model balance was lower in motors On than that of motors Off (P=0.934).Conclusion: A new orthosis in rehabilitation of PD patients was introduced that can promote new ideas in orthotic design and application. Results showed that vibratory orthosis was effective in enhancing balance in PD patients in eyes-open condition. However, in eyes-close condition, we are not sure of its effectiveness.

Objective: This study has been carried out to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly people in Amirshahr city.Materials and methods: In this descriptive cross- sectional study, 1019 people over 60 years old in Amirshahr city were assessed.Amirshahr has 2000 elder people over 60 (53.5% male and 46.5% female). Data were collected using standard questionnaire included questions about demographic characteristics and risk factors of CVD.Questionnaires were filled in by trained questioners during the interviews with elderly people or with informed person.Results: In this study, 604 (59.3%) were male and 415 (40.7%) female. Mean age of the elderly population was 70±7 years old (range 60-97 year). Most of them (55%) were in the age group (65-74). The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors were overweight and obesity (44.1%), hypertension (HTN) (23.9%), Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (23.5%) and smoking (18%). Frequency of HTN (p=0.07), DM and obesity (p=.000) in female population were more than male and Smoking (p=.000) in male population was more than female population.Of total subjects, 71.1% had 2 or 3 cardiovascular risk factors contemporaneous. Twenty five percent of geriatric populations don’t have any insurance.Conclusion: With respect to findings of this study and high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, screening programs and preventive measures are necessary in elderly population.

Objective: This study has been conducted to investigate the «social support» various roles in anxiety and depression of elderly people in Tehran's second district habitants.Materials and Methods: The method of study is causal-comparative and required data was collected by Nor beck Social Support Questionnaire and Anxiety and Depression Scale. The sample includes 100 elder subjects who are 60 years old and over which having been chosen from elderly population of Tehran's second district.Regression and correlation coefficient tests have been applied for data analysis.Results: Findings show that anxiety and depression rates were %44 and %40 respectively in elder subjects. Correlation test showed that all types of social support pecuniary "emotional, functional, structural support) had a reverse and significant relationship with depression and anxiety. The results of multiple regression showed that pecuniary and structural support were significant predictive for anxiety and pecuniary support was significant predictive for depression in elderly people.Conclusion: The Results of this study emphasize on the importance of social determinants of health role, especially, social support on the mental disorders of the elderly. Taking this inexpensive resource into account in tackling elderly depression and anxiety, and as a result, improvement of their quality of life, is of a great importance.

Objective: investigating the effect of endurance training program on the gait pattern of non-active elderly people.Materials and methods: This study has been done by a semi-experience method with 23 old men and women by the average and standard deviation of 70/50±6/9 years old (n=14 people of exercise group, n=9 people of control group). The exercise group took part in this program for eight weeks and three sessions per week. The crude data includes speed gait, stride length, percentage of statement in stance phase, cadence and range of motion on upper body joints have been taken by using of software’s such as Auto CAD R 14.0, ulead 10, windows media player and CGA, in two levels before and after exercise program in two exercise and control group and then analyzed by the software Spssl5.Results: Significant differences shown in rang of motion of hip joint increases in toe off (p=0.05) at stance phase. Also we observed decreasing of statement in stance phase (p=0.01) in comparing pre-exercise ones.Conclusion: notice to research findings, endurance training increases range of hip motion by strengthening the flexor and extensor muscles of hip that causes improved dynamic balance and reinforcement standing balance between groups of society. As a result Endurance training can be used as an important factor to strengthen standing balance and to increase dynamic balance, doing this training is advised in daily activity of non-active elderly people.

Objective: The present research aimes to discuss the mental health of elders in the Holy Quran and Hadiths.Materials and Methods: The study uses the method of content and library analysis in which the Holy Quran and its commentaries have been studied by using a Quranic software and Hadith books and softwares. The data has been collected and classified according to the topics.Results: Results of the research included the definition of the elderly in view of Islam, introduction of elders, and their rights and status in Islam, Islamic treatment of elders and old parents, kindness and methods of kindness and goodness, virtuous and suitable behavior, good verbal and humble behavior, frequent visit, subsistence, prayers and thankfulness.Conclusion: According to the results concluded form the Holy Quran and Hadiths, the mental health of the elderly peopel has been considered in the following three aspects: The elders in the public's point of viewThe elders in the government' s point of viewThe elders and their parental role.