Life science
Medical & healthcare, Healthy community development, LTC prevention

Collaborative research with local governments to prevent the need for long-termcare and promote healthy community development
Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine
Professor Mai Kabayama						https://researchmap.jp/kabayama?lang=en

Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Yaya Li

https://researchmap.jp/lia?lang=en

Interaction effects between ICT use and loneliness on cognitive decline by age group

Life science

Abstract
In the super-aged society of Japan, the creation of ‘familiar places for elderly people to go’ in local communities is being promoted
as a strategy to reduce the need for long-term care (LTC). However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been reported that thephysical, social, and cognitive functions of many older people havedeteriorated as a result of their refraining from going out.
Our laboratory is collaborating with several local governments,
conducting surveys, and evaluating local government projects inorder to promote efficient and effective LTC prevention.

Interaction effects between ICT use and loneliness on cognitive decline by age group▍ Background & Results
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association
between loneliness/social isolation and cognitive decline in older
adults, and specifically to assess whether the use of informationand communications technology (ICT) can moderate these relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research wasconducted in collaboration with Toyono Town, Nose District, Osaka Prefecture (population: approximately 19,000 in 2021, aging
rate:46.8%) from February to March 2021. The subjects were 1,400
people randomly selected from the residential registration stratifiedby age, ranging from 70 to 89 years old. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire, along with a return envelope addressedto Toyono Town Hall, was mailed to the subjects.
Responses were received from 1,003 people (responserate:71.6%). The survey results revealed that approximately 69%
of elderly people use ICT. A total of 21.6% of those in their 80s
reported subjective cognitive decline due to the influence of theCOVID-19 pandemic, almost twice as many as those in their 70s(12.0%). Results of covariate-adjusted logistic regression analysis with subjective cognitive decline as the outcome showed asignificant independent correlation with loneliness in the 70s andwith loneliness, isolation, and ICT non-use in the 80s. Furthermore,examination of the interaction between ICT use and loneliness orisolation showed no significant interaction for those in their 70s;
however, for those in their 80s, ICT use was found to moderate therelationship between loneliness or isolation and subjective cognitive decline.

▍ Significance of the research and Future perspective

Interaction effects between ICT use and loneliness oncognitive decline by age group
Interaction effects between ICT use and isolation on cognitive decline by age group
Interaction effects between ICT use and isolation on cognitive decline by age group

Interaction effects between ICT use and social isolationon cognitive decline by age group

We are currently conducting more detailed surveys of living conditions of older people in collaboration with the town, and basedon the results, we are developing our research into proposing andevaluating efficient and effective health projects.
Recently, local governments have been encouraging the use ofICT in various administrative services with the aim of promoting DX.
However, it is considered that a certain percentage of people areunable to use ICT for various reasons, especially the older population,and if LTC prevention measures using ICT are rapidly developed andspread, there is a risk that health disparities will further widen. We aim
to promote effective LTC prevention measures, including the use ofICT, in order to build a society in which no one is left behind.
P a t e n t
Tr e a t i s e

Li, Yaya; Godai, Kayo; Kido, Michiko et al. Cognitive decline and poor social relationship in older adults during COVID-19 pandemic: can information andcommunications technology (ICT) use helps? BMC Geriatr. 2022, 22(1), 375. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03061-z
Kabayama, Mai; Mikami, Hiroshi; Kamide, Kei．Multidimensional factors associated with the loss of independence: a population-based longitudinal study.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2018, 18, 448-445. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13209

URL
K e y w o r d community dwelling older people, LTC prevention, ICT, loneliness, COVID-19 pandemic