Kitasato University School of Allied Health Sciences, 1-15-1, Kitazato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan.
School of Health Sciences, Fukushima Medical University, 10-6 Sakaemachi, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan.
BMC Geriatr. 2024 May 24;24(1):457. doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-05055-5.
The COVID-19 outbreak might have had several effects on older adults; however, much of the previous research only included self-report, cross-sectional, and online-survey data in the early stage of the pandemic. We conducted a face-to-face survey before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and investigated the influence of the pandemic on several functions to distinguish between changes due to aging and changes due to the pandemic using a linear mixed model.
A total of 8 longitudinal surveys were conducted from 2016 to 2022. Physical function was assessed by weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass index, calf circumference, grip strength, knee extension strength, the 5-times chair stand test, the timed up & go test and 5-m walking test. Functional capacity was measured using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology index of competence, cognitive function was measured using the Trail Making Test - A, and mental health was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale.
Of a total of 73 participants, 51 (69.9%) were female. The mean age at first participation was 71.82 years (SD = 4.64). The results of the linear mixed model showed that lower-limb muscle strength and body fat percentage and cognitive function changed significantly before and after the pandemic, while grip strength, functional capacity, and mental health did not.
The changes in these functions between before and after the pandemic might be attributed to the diminished opportunities for the independent older individuals to go out and engage in activities. Although functional capacity did not change, lower-limb muscle strength is important for functional independence. This decline might influence the functional capacity of these individuals in the future.
COVID-19 疫情可能对老年人产生了多种影响；然而，之前的大部分研究仅在疫情早期包含自我报告、横断面和在线调查数据。我们在 COVID-19 大流行之前和之后进行了面对面调查，并使用线性混合模型研究了大流行对多种功能的影响，以区分由于衰老和大流行引起的变化。
总共进行了 8 次纵向调查，时间跨度为 2016 年至 2022 年。身体功能通过体重、体重指数、体脂百分比、骨骼肌质量指数、小腿围、握力、膝关节伸展力量、5 次椅子站立测试、计时起立行走测试和 5 米步行测试进行评估。功能能力使用东京都立老年研究所能力指数进行测量，认知功能使用走迷宫测试 A 进行测量，心理健康使用老年抑郁量表进行测量。
在总共 73 名参与者中，有 51 名（69.9%）为女性。首次参与的平均年龄为 71.82 岁（SD=4.64）。线性混合模型的结果表明，下肢肌肉力量和体脂百分比以及认知功能在大流行前后变化显著，而握力、功能能力和心理健康则没有变化。
这些功能在大流行前后的变化可能归因于独立老年人外出和参与活动的机会减少。虽然功能能力没有改变，但下肢肌肉力量对于功能独立性很重要。这种下降可能会影响这些个体未来的功能能力。
