bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
OBJECTIVE SLEEP AND CIRCADIAN REST–ACTIVITY RHYTHMS AND MULTIPLE DOMAINS OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Stone Katie , Barnes Haley , Blackwell Terri , Glynn Nancy , Esser Karyn , Newman Anne , Cummings Steven , Cawthon Peggy 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Evidence suggests that sleep and circadian rest-activity rhythms (RAR) play a key role in dementia and Alzheimer Disease (AD) pathology. Studies with objective measures of sleep and RAR and multiple domains of cognition remain limited. We studied 820 older adults enrolled in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA). Actigraphs were worn for one week, and processed for sleep-wake measures including total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency (SE); and parametric (acrophase, pseudo-F) and non-parametric (interdaily stability [IS], intradaily variability [IV], and relative amplitude [RA]) 24-hour RAR variables. Cognitive assessments included global cognition (the Montreal Cognitive Assessment), executive function (Trails B test), memory (California Verbal Learning Test-short form; and psychomotor performance (Digit-Symbol Coding Test). Adjusting for age, sex, clinic site and education, we examined adjusted mean cognitive test scores by categories of sleep and RAR exposures. Mean age was 76 years, 58% were female, and 15% were non-white. Higher RA, reflecting a more robust 24-hour RAR, was associated with better cognition on all tests (p for trend &lt;0.05). Reduced SE was related to lower cognitive function (psychomotor performance, global cognition, memory; p&lt;.05). There were no associations with TST and any cognitive measures examined. SE and RAR were variably associated with both global and specific domains of cognition in older men and women. The RA in particular was strongly related to multiple domains of cognition related to AD, and may be useful in identifying individuals at risk. Additional analyses will explore sex differences and longitudinal associations.
DEFINING AND CHARACTERIZING MAINTENANCE: RESULTS FROM A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Ajja Rahma , Thorpe Anna , Smeekens Bridget , Hughes Jaime 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Leading models of health behavior change define maintenance as sustainment of the target behavior over time. Although behavior change interventions for physical activity have shown to be effective in older adults, maintenance of activity levels after an active intervention period is rarely examined. This literature review aimed to identify the following: (1) frequency with which maintenance is described and measured in the scientific literature; (2) intervention techniques utilized to promote maintenance; and (3) common barriers and facilitators to maintenance. Systematic searches of electronic databases (Embase, CINAHL, PubMed) identified 20 eligible studies (conducted in United States, single component physical activity intervention with 1+ follow-up period(s) beyond post-treatment assessment). Six studies reported maintenance in the title and only 8 included a theoretical model or framework [Social Cognitive Theory (N=5), Theoretical Domains Framework (N=1), Attribution Theory (N=1), Three-Level Hierarchical Framework (N=1)]. No studies defined maintenance. The majority of studies (N=16) provided only 1 follow-up after the post-treatment assessment (range: 4 weeks – 18 months). One-half of studies described specific intervention strategies to support maintenance, including goal-setting, personalized feedback, and social support. Six studies described barriers, including costs, aversion to activity or environment, low motivation, time constraints, and self-efficacy. Only two studies reported facilitators to maintenance, including knowledge, confidence, self-efficacy, and social support. These findings highlight the gap in health behavior scientific literature addressing maintenance of physical activity behaviors following structured interventions for older adults.
MAINTAINING WALKING THROUGH WALK ON!: A COMMUNITY-BASED WALKING PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Nicklas Barb , Kemp Elizabeth Chmelo , Gordon Michelle , Hughes Jaime , Ajja Rahma , Moore Justin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The NIA-funded LIFE study showed that a walking-based intervention prevents mobility disability, even in those with compromised walking ability. However, increases in activity were not maintained following cessation of the intervention, suggesting novel approaches and accessible opportunities are needed to provide continued support for this population to maintain increased walking. We previously reported high feasibility and acceptability from a pilot of a supervised, group-based, and fee-for-service walking program (Walk On!) for adults with mobility challenges. The program focuses on walking stamina, and takes place two days/week for 12 weeks. Walk On! was offered for a total of ten consecutive sessions from late 2017 until March 2020 at a local church. The majority of attendees were &gt;75 years (71%), female (65%), and had low levels of physical function (usual gait speed=0.79±0.16; 31% used an assistive device). Of the 49 unique (first-time) attendees who registered for Walk On!, only 18 (37%) did not re-register for at least one subsequent session. Thus, 63% (n=31) registered for at least 2 sessions, 51% (n=25) for at least 3 sessions, 20 (41%) for at least 4 sessions, and 15 (31%) for at least 5 of the 10 sessions. Mean attendance at scheduled group walking days for all attendees was 77%±21% for all attendees and did not decrease substantially for those attending multiple sessions. The safe, social, and accessible community-based Walk On! program may be one approach to sustain walking for older adults with mobility challenges. Future research will focus on measuring individual characteristics associated with maintenance.
MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH BEHAVIOR CHANGE: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
Authors: Hughes Jaime , Randazzo Aliza , Ajja Rahma 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Modifying poor health behaviors can enhance function, improve quality-of-life, and reduce morbidity and mortality among older adults. However, achieving and sustaining behavior change can be difficult. A growing body of research suggest that initiation and maintenance are unique constructs within health behavior change; each requiring unique skills and each associated with unique outcomes. Although some leading health behavior change models (e.g., Transtheoretical Model of Change) include maintenance as a construct, maintenance is often overlooked in the scientific literature. As part of a NIA Research Centers Collaborative Network (RCCN) pilot award, this project utilized a series of qualitative activities to explore the concept of maintenance and identify future recommendations for advancing the field. Three unique listening sessions were conducted with clinician-researchers (1 group) and community-based service organizations (2 groups). An interdisciplinary expert think tank was then convened to reflect on key findings. All sessions were conducted virtually; transcripts were reviewed using a priori themes with additional themes generated by an open coding approach. Major themes included the following: (1) To date, there is no consensus definition of maintenance nor is there agreement on maintenance across behaviors. (2) Few behavior change models consider how health behaviors must shift to accommodate for age-related changes in cognition and/or physical function. (3) Existing funding mechanisms and timelines may not allow sufficient follow-up periods to examine maintenance over time. (4) Although the terms maintenance and sustainment are used interchangeably, community leaders emphasized the importance of sustaining health promotion programs in order to enable maintenance to occur.
RISK OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIA IN PATIENTS WITH SLOW PROGRESSIVE CANCERS
Authors: Akushevich Igor , Yashkin Arseniy , Nalawade Vinit , Kravchenko Julia 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Evidence is accumulating that individuals with cancer diagnoses exhibit Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementia (ADRD) risk profiles that differ from the general population of U.S. older adults. In this study we used SEER-Medicare data to compare the relative risk of AD/ADRD between individuals with slow-progressive cancers and the non-cancer general population. The study cohort included individuals age 65+ (N=2,023,054) with a primary diagnosis (1999-2017) of one of nine slow progressive cancers (breast, colorectal, prostate, uterine, kidney, ovarian, and urinary bladder cancers, as well as lymphomas and melanoma) and no clinical record of AD/ADRD prior to cancer diagnosis. This cohort was then matched by age to a comparable non-cancer population (N=1,142,641). The hazard ratios of AD/ADRD for each cancer compared to the non-cancer cohort were evaluated individually in 29 age-specific groups for each cancer type. All cancers had similar patterns of dependence for post-cancer AD/ADRD risks. We found that the presence of cancer was associated with higher risk of AD/ADRD at age at diagnosis 65-75; the relative risks decline with age at diagnoses becoming protective at advanced ages. Furthermore, for any given age at diagnosis the relative risk of AD/ADRD (i.e., cancer vs. non-cancer) also declines with time. Detailed discussion of possible causes of these effects including cancer treatment, genetic variation, possible trade-off effects, common risk and protective factors, possibly lower administration and adherence of AD/ADRD diagnostic procedures for individuals with cancer, and the roles of competing risks (first of all due to death cases) is presented.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 10-YEAR CHANGES IN COGNITIVE ABILITY AND SUBSEQUENT MORTALITY: FINDINGS FROM THE ACTIVE
Authors: Chen Diefei , Gross Alden , Willis Sherry , Rebok George 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Cognitive ability and cognitive decline have been linked with mortality in older adults. However, little was understood about the role of cognitive interventions on mortality outcomes in this population. Using twenty-year follow-up data from the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) trial, we examined the association between cognitive change and mortality risk, and the effect of ACTIVE cognitive training (memory, reasoning, and speed of processing) on mortality risk. Mortality was ascertained through linkage to the National Death Index database. To model time to death as a function of cognitive change and training effect, we used shared growth-survival models with simultaneously estimated latent intercepts and slopes as predictors. Among the 2802 participants, 2021 died on or before the year 2019 (72.1%). Both higher baseline level and slower decline in global cognition were associated with lower hazards of all-cause mortality after adjusting for covariates (HR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.58, 0.79; HR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.40, 0.44, respectively). We did not observe any significant effects of ACTIVE cognitive training in memory, reasoning, or speed of processing on all-cause mortality. Our findings demonstrated the association between the trajectory of cognitive change and mortality among older adults, independent of cognitive training interventions. More work is needed to identify relevant timing as well as modalities of non-pharmaceutical interventions that can promote healthy longevity.
INTENTION TO USE WEARABLE ROBOTS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING : THE ROLE OF CULTURE AND PERSUASIVE HEALTH COMMUNICATION
Authors: Cheng Clio Yuen Man , Lou Vivian Weiqun 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Soft wearable robots are emerging assistive technologies that can prolong independent living among older adults experiencing progressive muscle loss, such as sarcopenia. In order to fulfil the wish of aging-in-place and relieve caregiver burden, it is essential to increase wearable robots acceptance through persuasive health communication strategies. This study draws on the integration of the senior technology acceptance model, health communication, and cultural value orientation to predict the intention to use wearable robots among older adults. A 2 (message framing: gain- versus loss-framed) x 2 (temporal framing: distal- versus proximal-framed) randomized experiment was conducted with 154 older adults aged 50 to 74 years, using a self-administered cross-sectional from December 2022 to March 2023 in Hong Kong. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted with six blocks of variables. Demographic variables including age, gender, and sarcopenia potential were not significantly associated with intention to use. Horizontal individualism is significantly associated with intention to use (p=.011). Also, horizontal collectivism is significantly associated with intention to use (p=.018). Vertical collectivism interacts with persuasive health communication to predict intention to use among older adults (p=.041). The final model (F(12,141) = 3.699, p&lt;.001, R2=.24) which included cultural value orientations showed significant improvement from the first model which only included age and gender. Overall, the final model accounted for 23.9% of the variance. This study is the first to predict the intention to use wearable robots among older adults and provide valuable insights on future policy development to promote aging-in-place, with the aid of wearable robots.
USING TIMEBANK TO IMPROVE VOLUNTEERING AMONG OLDER PEOPLE: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Authors: Lu Shiyu , Chui Cheryl , Lum Terry 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Timebanking, a system in which people earn time credits through volunteering and exchange earned credits for goods and services, can potentially promote late-life volunteering. However, evidence to support this innovation remains limited. This paper reports the findings of a quasi-experimental study on a timebanking program implemented in six districts in Hong Kong between January 2021 and August 2022. Three districts were assigned as the experimental districts, while others were assigned as the control districts. We recruited 116 older people in the three experimental districts to join the timebank group and 114 older people in three control districts to join the comparison group. Both groups were offered opportunities to volunteer in community elderly centres within their districts (e.g., home visits or phone calls to older people with disabilities). The timebank group could exchange their earned time credit for rewards (e.g., dining coupons and cookies offered by social enterprises), while no reward was offered for the comparison group. Their volunteering hours were recorded using a tailored mobile phone application, and their volunteering intentions were assessed at baseline, during the timebank intervention (7th month), and post-timebank intervention (13th month). After controlling for covariates (e.g., age, years of volunteering experience) using linear mixed models, the timebank group had significantly more volunteering hours (adjusted mean difference [AMD]=1.37, 95% CI: 0.20-2.54, p=0.021) and higher volunteering intention (AMD=0.51, 95% CI 0.29-0.82, p=0.001) than the comparison group. This is the first quasi-experimental study to provide evidence that timebank is a promising and effective approach to promoting late-life volunteering.
PERSONALITY AND WORD RECALL AS INTERACTIVE PREDICTORS OF PERCEIVED MEMORY ABILITY
Authors: Hill Patrick , Pfund Gabrielle , Cruitt Patrick , Spears Isaiah , Norton Sara , Bogdan Ryan , Oltmanns Thomas 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Cognitive gerontology research requires consideration of both actual performance and perceptions of performance. While subjective memory perceptions are positively associated with memory performance, these correlations typically are modest in magnitude. Therefore, researchers have noted the need to consider potential moderators of this association, to better understand whether certain people show weaker or stronger linkages between performance and perceptions. The current study leveraged personality (NEO Big Five), memory performance (i.e., word recall), and perceptions of memory ability (i.e., metamemory in adulthood scale and subjective memory complaints) data from the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network (SPAN) study (n = 774, mean age: 71.52 years). Personality traits were more associated with subjective than objective memory, and the most consistent associations were for extraversion (r = -.20 for complaints, r = .26 for metamemory) and conscientiousness (r = -.26 for complaints and r = .33 for metamemory). Moreover, extraversion moderated associations between word recall and both memory capacity and complaints. Results suggested that associations between word recall and the two subjective indicators were weaker for those adults higher in extraversion, relative to adults who scored lower on extraversion. One possible interpretation is that extraverted older adults may construct their cognitive self-perceptions using information from their social interactions more than objective cues. These findings highlight the need to determine how personality traits influence which sources of information older adults employ when thinking about their cognitive ability, which in turn may explain their choices for activity engagement.
DAILY STRESS AND SAME-DAY SUBJECTIVE MEMORY: AGE DIFFERENCES AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS A BUFFER
Authors: Stuart Nicole , Wen Jin , Klaiber Patrick , DeLongis Anita , Puterman Eli , Sin Nancy 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Growing research indicates that daily stress is associated with poor same-day memory performance, but it is unclear whether this relationship varies by age and whether moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MPVA) might offset the within-person link between stress and memory in daily life. Ecological momentary assessment data were collected from adults aged 25-88 across British Columbia, Canada. For 14 days, participants (N = 249) wore a tri-axial physical activity monitor, reported stressor occurrence and perceived stressfulness of the events in mobile surveys 4 times per day, and rated their memory at the end of each day. Multilevel modeling was run to evaluate daily perceived stressfulness as a predictor of subjective memory, with same-day MVPA engagement (activity counts &gt;570 counts/60s) and age (years) entered as moderators. At the within-person level, on days when stressors were perceived as more stressful than usual, subjective memory was rated as relatively worse (b = -0.037, CI[-0.061, -0.017], p &lt; .001). MVPA did not buffer against the within-person associations of daily stress with subjective memory, nor did age (p &gt; .05). Future work could examine the mechanisms that might explain the link between stress and memory, for example cortisol, as well as the associations of different intensity and forms of physical activity on stress across age groups.
RECRUITING SAMPLES OF OLDER ADULTS FROM VULNERABLE GROUPS
Authors: Barry Lisa 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Since 2000, the number of incarcerated persons age ≥50 in the U.S. grew 280% and those in this age group with substance use disorders (SUDs) grew from 1.7 to 5.7 million. Yet, these groups, which comprise some of the most medically vulnerable persons in society, are difficult to recruit to research studies. We successfully recruited and retained 171 incarcerated persons age ≥50 in a cohort study. We will discuss how recruitment required strong partnership with the state corrections system, how we had to be cognizant of measures that were meaningful in the context of the unique environment (prison activities of daily living), and how measures were modified (when life gets hard I just want to escape). As we continue to recruit persons ≥50 seeking SUD treatment, we will discuss the usefulness of snowball recruiting and balancing decisions regarding modification of inclusion criteria while maintaining integrity of the original research question.
TECHNIQUES FOR OVERCOMING CHALLENGES TO RESEARCH WITH INDIVIDUALS NEARING THE END OF LIFE
Authors: Dillon Ellis , Martinez Meghan , Li Martina , Hernandez Alyssa , Liang Su-Ying , Patel Manali 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
People living with advanced disease and nearing the end of their lives are often omitted in research on healthcare and the lifespan. This omission occurs for practical, ethical, and cultural reasons. Drawing on examples from studies on individuals receiving home hospice care, and individuals with advanced cancer and their caregivers, we will review (1) practical, ethical, and cultural challenges to doing this research, (2) techniques to increase access, recruitment, and participation through developing partnerships, flexibility and resource allocation, and (3) research team training and support. Practical challenges include the unpredictability of illness and symptoms leading to cancellations and increased attrition, and increased time and resources needed to recruit, consent, and travel to community residences. Ethical and cultural challenges include concerns about “vulnerability,” and stigma around directly discussing dying. Techniques to facilitate successful inclusion of these populations include developing partnerships with community organizations, clinical teams, and patient or family advocates, justifying and allocating sufficient resources and flexibility in study design and word choices to reflect the spectrum of understanding and experiences, and additional training and support for research staff. Other techniques to include this population include use of secondary data, reconsidering research exclusion criteria, and surveying/interviewing family members and other caregivers. Hard to reach populations are often overlooked, yet they are vital to ensuring full representation of lived experience. Science benefits from developing strategies to include these populations in research.
“GOD ALONE EXISTS IN SOLITUDE”: INTERVIEWING OLD MIGRANTS ABOUT LONELINESS
Authors: Bilecen Basak 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Current research emphasizes the need for a more critical reflective approach to studying older migrants, with particular attention paid to methodological and ethical challenges during fieldwork. One of the key methodological challenges researchers face is selecting appropriate questions, as the questions asked can influence the insights gained into the phenomenon under study. This is because researchers gain an understanding of the phenomenon based on the questions they ask. Previous research on the well-being of older migrants has primarily focused on their family relationships, health status, social participation into activities, and vulnerabilities. However, an important question to understand the well-being of older migrants is whether and to what extent they experience loneliness. This study involved conducting 20 semi-structured interviews with first-generation Turkish migrants over the age of 65 living in northern Netherlands. The findings suggest that the phrasing of questions plays a significant role in both how participants interpret the questions and their responses. During the interviews, while loneliness was generally considered a negative issue, some participants approached it from a religious perspective, leading to reflection on more fundamental existential questions, which in turn led to denial.