The effect of interventions anticipated to improve plantar intrinsic foot muscle strength on fall-related dynamic function in adults:A systematic review

BACKGROUND: The plantar intrinsic foot muscles (PIFMs) have a role in dynamic functions, such as balance and propulsion, which are vital to walking. These muscles atrophy in older adults and therefore this population, which is at high risk to falling, may benefit from strengthening these muscles in order to improve or retain their gait performance. Therefore, the aim was to provide insight in the evidence for the effect of interventions anticipated to improve PIFM strength on dynamic balance control and foot function during gait in adults. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in five electronic databases. The eligibility of peer-reviewed papers, published between January 1, 2010 and July 8, 2020, reporting controlled trials and pre-post interventional studies was assessed by two reviewers independently. Results from moderate- and high-quality studies were extracted for data synthesis by summarizing the standardized mean differences (SMD). The GRADE approach was used to assess the certainty of evidence. RESULTS: Screening of 9199 records resulted in the inclusion of 11 articles of which five were included for data synthesis. Included studies were mainly performed in younger populations. Low-certainty evidence revealed the beneficial effect of PIFM strengthening exercises on vertical ground reaction force (SMD: − 0.31-0.37). Very low-certainty evidence showed that PIFM strength training improved the performance on dynamic balance testing (SMD: 0.41–1.43). There was no evidence for the effect of PIFM strengthening exercises on medial longitudinal foot arch kinematics. CONCLUSIONS: This review revealed at best low-certainty evidence that PIFM strengthening exercises improve foot function during gait and very low-certainty evidence for its favorable effect on dynamic balance control. There is a need for high-quality studies that aim to investigate the effect of functional PIFM strengthening exercises in large samples of older adults. The outcome measures should be related to both fall risk and the role of the PIFMs such as propulsive forces and balance during locomotion in addition to PIFM strength measures. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13047-021-00509-0

Ageism in the discourse and practice of designing digital technology for older persons:A scoping review

Background and Objectives Involving older persons in the design process of digital technology (DT) promotes the development of technologies that are appealing, beneficial, and used. However, negative discourse on aging and ageism are potential underlying factors that could influence which and how DTs are designed and how older persons are involved in the design process. This scoping review investigates the explicit and implicit manifestations of ageism in the design process of DT. Research Design and Methods Seven databases were screened for studies reporting on the design of DT with older persons between January 2015 and January 2020. Data regarding study and DT characteristics, discourse about older persons, and their involvement in the design process were extracted, coded, and analyzed using critical discourse analysis. Results Sixty articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Various forms of exclusion of older persons from the design process were identified, such as no or low involvement, upper-age limits, and sample biases toward relatively “active,” healthy and “tech-savvy” older persons. Critical discourse analysis revealed the use of outdated language, stereotypical categorizations, and/or design decisions based on ageism in 71.7% of the studies. Discussion and Implications A discrepancy was found between an “ideal” discourse regarding the involvement of older persons throughout the design process and actual practice. Manifestations of ageism, errors, and biases of designing DT with older persons are discussed. This article calls for more authentic inclusion of older persons and higher awareness toward the implications of ageism in the design process of DT

Physical Activity After Surgery for Severe Obesity: The Role of Exercise Cognitions

# The Author(s) 2010. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Background Physical activity after bariatric surgery is associated with sustained weight loss and improved quality of life. Some bariatric patients engage insufficiently in physical activity. This may be due to exercise cognitions, i.e., specific beliefs about benefits of and barriers to physical exercise. The aim of this study was to examine whether and to what extent both physical activity and exercise cognitions changed at 1 and 2 years post-surgery and whether exercise cognitions predict physical activity. Methods Forty-two bariatric patients (38 women, 4 men; mean age 38±8 years, mean body mass index prior to surgery 47±6 kg/m 2) filled out self-report instruments to examine physical activity and exercise cognitions pre- and post-surgery

Different Mechanisms Underlie Post-menarchial Increase in Depression and Weight

Contains fulltext : 99254.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Background Depression and being overweight are correlated health problems in adulthood. Adolescence is a significant period for the onset and increase of depression and obesity, especially among girls. Pubertal development also occurs with concomitant increases in weight. Thus, it is not yet clear whether the association between depression and being overweight can be explained by pubertal development. Purpose We examined the association between depressive mood, body weight, and pubertal status in adolescent girls. Method The design was cross-sectional. In 962 young adolescent Dutch girls (age range, 11.9-15.9) weight and height measurements were used to calculate height, age, and gender-standardized body weight (zBMI). Questionnaires assessed depressive mood (the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression, CES-D, inventory) and menarcheal status (pre or post). Results The correlation between menarcheal status and body weight (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) was not affected by depressive mood, and the correlation between menarcheal status and depressive mood (r = 0.20, p < 0.001) was not affected by body weight. A small correlation between depressive mood and body weight (r = 0.12, p < 0.01) largely disappeared after controlling for menarche. Conclusion Menarcheal status largely explains the association between weight and depression. It is independently associated with both BMI and depression, suggesting that different mechanisms underlie the post-menarcheal increased prevalence of depression and overweight.6 p

Improved antiretroviral treatment outcome in a rural African setting is associated with cART initiation at higher CD4 cell counts and better general health condition

Background Data on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in remote rural African regions is increasing. Methods We assessed prospectively initial cART in HIV-infected adults treated from 2005 to 2008 at St. Francis Designated District Hospital, Ifakara, Tanzania. Adherence was assisted by personal adherence supporters. We estimated risk factors of death or loss to follow-up by Cox regression during the first 12 months of cART. Results Overall, 1,463 individuals initiated cART, which was nevirapine-based in 84.6%. The median age was 40 years (IQR 34-47), 35.4% were males, 7.6% had proven tuberculosis. Median CD4 cell count was 131 cells/μl and 24.8% had WHO stage 4. Median CD4 cell count increased by 61 and 130 cells/μl after 6 and 12 months, respectively. 215 (14.7%) patients modified their treatment, mostly due to toxicity (56%), in particular polyneuropathy and anemia. Overall, 129 patients died (8.8%) and 189 (12.9%) were lost to follow-up. In a multivariate analysis, low CD4 cells at starting cART were associated with poorer survival and loss to follow-up (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.15-2.75, p = 0.009; for CD4 100 cells/μl). Higher weight was strongly associated with better survival (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.51-0.76, p < 0.001 per 10 kg increase). Conclusions cART initiation at higher CD4 cell counts and better general health condition reduces HIV related mortality in a rural African setting. Efforts must be made to promote earlier HIV diagnosis to start cART timely. More research is needed to evaluate effective strategies to follow cART at a peripheral level with limited technical possibilities

The role of ageism in the acceptance and use of digital technology

Technology acceptance models associate older age with lower intention to use digital technology although this assumption is often stereotypically-based and not sufficiently tested with older persons. This study investigated the association of ageism (rather than chronological age) with behavioral intention and actual use of technology within the theoretical framework of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT-2) model. 374 Dutch-speaking participants aged 50–97 completed the UTAUT-2 questionnaire, Expectations Regarding Aging, Attitudes Toward Older Adults Using Technology (ATOAUT-11) and experienced ageism scales. A path analysis found that expectations regarding aging partially mediated the association of age with negative attitudes. Mixed results were found regarding the fit of the new UTAUT-2-Ageism model. Negative ATOAUT moderated the associations of Effort Expectancy, Facilitating Conditions, and Habit with Behavioral Intention to use technology, and the explained variance increased. Further research is warranted to fully identify the potential role of ageism in technology acceptance

Anwendungsorientierung und Wissenschaftsorientierung in der Ingenieurbildung: Wege zu technischer Bildung

Das fein abgestufte und doch auch durchlässige System technischer Bildung in Mitteleuropa vermittelt beides: Anwendungsorientierung und Wissenschafts- bzw. auch Forschungsorientierung. Praktische Intelligenz, kognitives Verstehen und Durchdringen komplexer Wissenszusammenhänge sowie schöpferisches Gestalten lassen sich nicht trennen. Immer wieder neu jedoch muss deren Zusammenwirkung auf allen Stufen der Bildungseinrichtungen erfasst und diskutiert werden, um zukunftsweisende Folgerungen zu ziehen und umzusetzen.Haben der Ruf nach „employability“ und allgegenwärtig anpassungsfähiger „mobility“ derzeit vielleicht eine zu starke Verschiebung zur Anwendungsorientierung ergeben? Welche Bedeutung haben Wissenschafts- und Forschungsorientierung für das Erneuerungspotential der Technik? Befähigt die derzeitige technische Ausbildung junge Menschen, nachhaltige Antworten auf die Herausforderungen der UN Post Millenium Goals zu geben?Antworten auf diese Fragen zu finden – und zu diskutieren, wie dies in Ausbildung und Studium, im Prozess des Lehrens und Lernens, gefördert, bestärkt und erprobt werden kann – dazu laden wir ein, an der diesjährigen Regionaltagung, zu der die Fontys University for Applied Sciences nach Eindhoven einlädt, Beispiele vorzustellen und Grundsatzfragen zu diskutieren. Eine Besonderheit an dieser Tagung wird sein, dass wir die Förderung von MINT-Interessen und –Talenten in der Schule behandeln und auch die Lehrerbildung einbeziehen

Ontwerpen voor zorg en welzijn

Willen we in de nabije toekomst nog goede zorg en ondersteuning bieden, dan zal steeds meer een beroep gedaan moeten worden op de creatieve houding en het ‘out of-the-box’ denken van (toekomstige) professionals. Zij hebben een belangrijke rol om het werkveld te innoveren. Design thinking is een denk- en werkwijze die hier goed bij past: het kan zorg- en hulpverleners helpen nieuwe ideeën snel concreet te maken en die in co-creatie met de zorg- of hulpvrager te ontwikkelen. Ontwerpen voor zorg en welzijn helpt om deze ontwerpgerichte manier van denken te ontwikkelen en toe te passen. In drie delen reikt het boek methoden en tools aan om op een andere manier naar het dagelijkse werk te kijken, praktische problemen op te lossen en vernieuwingen te realiseren. Deel I beschrijft waarom een ontwerpgerichte manier van innoveren belangrijk is in het welzijnswerk en de zorg. In deel II wordt het Double Diamond model beschreven: vier fasen in elk ontwerpproces met specifieke eigenschappen en een eigen dynamiek. Het praktische deel III bestaat uit een toolbox met een brede en gevarieerde selectie van ontwerpgerichte methoden die direct in de praktijk kunnen worden toegepast. Bij dit boek hoort een website met een gids bij demethoden-toolbox, werkbladen en micro-colleges. Dit boek is geschreven voor studenten van sociale studies en gezondheidsopleidingen die op een ontwerpgerichte manier hun (afstudeer)onderzoek willen doen of een innovatief project uitvoeren in een organisatie. Daarnaast is het interessant voor professionals uit de zorg- en welzijnssector die samen met cliënten, patiënten of bewoners wil werken aan verbeteringen in haar of zijn praktijkcontext

Ontwerpen voor zorg en welzijn

Willen we in de nabije toekomst nog goede zorg en ondersteuning bieden, dan zal steeds meer een beroep gedaan moeten worden op de creatieve houding en het ‘out of-the-box’ denken van (toekomstige) professionals. Zij hebben een belangrijke rol om het werkveld te innoveren. Design thinking is een denk- en werkwijze die hier goed bij past: het kan zorg- en hulpverleners helpen nieuwe ideeën snel concreet te maken en die in co-creatie met de zorg- of hulpvrager te ontwikkelen. Ontwerpen voor zorg en welzijn helpt om deze ontwerpgerichte manier van denken te ontwikkelen en toe te passen. In drie delen reikt het boek methoden en tools aan om op een andere manier naar het dagelijkse werk te kijken, praktische problemen op te lossen en vernieuwingen te realiseren. Deel I beschrijft waarom een ontwerpgerichte manier van innoveren belangrijk is in het welzijnswerk en de zorg. In deel II wordt het Double Diamond model beschreven: vier fasen in elk ontwerpproces met specifieke eigenschappen en een eigen dynamiek. Het praktische deel III bestaat uit een toolbox met een brede en gevarieerde selectie van ontwerpgerichte methoden die direct in de praktijk kunnen worden toegepast. Bij dit boek hoort een website met een gids bij demethoden-toolbox, werkbladen en micro-colleges. Dit boek is geschreven voor studenten van sociale studies en gezondheidsopleidingen die op een ontwerpgerichte manier hun (afstudeer)onderzoek willen doen of een innovatief project uitvoeren in een organisatie. Daarnaast is het interessant voor professionals uit de zorg- en welzijnssector die samen met cliënten, patiënten of bewoners wil werken aan verbeteringen in haar of zijn praktijkcontext