Conclusions : Of the most commonly used measures , the majority lacked sufficient evidence to warrant their use with older adults .
Based on psychometric evidence , three measures ( Beck Anxiety Inventory , Penn State Worry Question naire , and Geriatric Mental Status Examination ) showed psychometric properties sufficient to justify the use of these instruments when assessing anxiety in older adults .
In addition , two measures developed specifically for older adults ( Worry Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory ) were also found to be appropriate for use with older adults
Objectives : The authors set out to systematic ally review the research literature in order to identify the anxiety measures most commonly used in the assessment of older adults .
Once identified , the literature was review ed to determine the extent to which these instruments had age-relevant norms and psychometric data supporting their use with older adults .
Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Older People with Heart Failure: Effects of Exercise Training and Relaxation Therapy
Background : Effective management of heart failure relies on optimal use of non-pharmacological therapy alongside medical treatment . Yet , there is an inadequate use of non-pharmacological therapy in caring for older people with heart failure . Objective : To examine the effects of relaxation therapy and exercise training on psychological outcomes and disease-specific quality of life of older heart failure patients . Methods : Subjects undertook relaxation  ( n = 59 ) , exercise training ( n = 32 ) or received attention placebo ( n = 62 ) for 12 weeks . The relaxation group attended two training sessions , one revision workshop , and continued with twice-daily taped-directed home relaxation practice , with support from the intervener through bi-weekly telephone contact , for 12 weeks . The exercise group undertook 12 weekly sessions of resistance training and aerobic exercise and thrice weekly home exercise . The control group received regular telephone calls for general ‘ greetings ’ . Results : The relaxation and exercise groups reported a significantly greater improvement in psychological [ F(2 , 149 ) = 6.69 , p = 0.002 ] and various disease-specific quality of life outcomes [ dyspnea : F(2 , 149 ) = 5.72 , p = 0.004 ; fatigue : F(2 , 149 ) = 3.78 , p = 0.25 ; emotion : F(2 , 149 ) = 6.68 , p = 0.001 ] , compared with those who received the attention placebo . While relaxation therapy was more effective to reduce psychological distress , with depression in particular ( p < 0.001 ) , exercise therapy worked better to control fatigue symptoms ( p = 0.03 ) . Conclusion : Relaxation therapy and exercise training are effective to improve the psychological and physical health of older heart failure patients . They should be used as an individual treatment modality , or as care components of a disease management program
Conclusions : Of the most commonly used measures , the majority lacked sufficient evidence to warrant their use with older adults .
Based on psychometric evidence , three measures ( Beck Anxiety Inventory , Penn State Worry Question naire , and Geriatric Mental Status Examination ) showed psychometric properties sufficient to justify the use of these instruments when assessing anxiety in older adults .
In addition , two measures developed specifically for older adults ( Worry Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory ) were also found to be appropriate for use with older adults
Objectives : The authors set out to systematic ally review the research literature in order to identify the anxiety measures most commonly used in the assessment of older adults .
Once identified , the literature was review ed to determine the extent to which these instruments had age-relevant norms and psychometric data supporting their use with older adults .