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Showing 7 results for Elderly
Effect of daylight on subjective general health factors in elderly
Zohreh Karami, Rostam Golmohammadi, Ahmad Heydari Pahlavian, Rashid Heydari Moghaddam, Jalal Poorolajal,
Volume 1, Issue 2 (12-2013)
Abstract
This before-after clinical trial investigated the effect of daylight on morning and night melatonin, subjective general health using GHQ questionnaire, sleepiness and alertness on elderly who lived in nursing houses. Nineteen nursing home residents participated voluntarily. They exposed to daylight from 9 to 10 A.M. and from 4 to 5 P.M. for 6 weeks. General health of all participants was evaluated using general health questionnaire (GHQ) as well. Also we used of KSS and VAS questionnaire foe assessment of sleepiness and alertness. Baseline morning and night melatonin levels were 25.39 (±19.75)pg/ml, and 40.3 (±21.55)pg/ml respectively. Daylight exposure significantly affected morning melatonin at 7:00 A.M. but had no significant effect on night melatonin at 8:00 P.M. Mean score of general health changed 36.31 to 29.89 (P=0.003). Karolinska sleepiness scale (KSS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) showed increase sleepiness and decrease alertness from 3:00 to 7:00 A.M. Sleepiness decreased and alertness increased during 1:00 P.M and 20:00 P.M. Overall day light exposure may delay sleep phase and circadian rhythm problems in elderly people. Anxiety and insomnia could be improved with daylight exposure. Our findings suggest that elders should be exposed to scheduled daylight in morning and evening for prevention and improvement of mental disorders. Adequate light should be provided for elder’s homes and nursing house. We have proposed to further study with a larger sample size be done to assess effect of daylight on GHQ' subscales.
The Effects of Divided Attention and Cognitive Distraction on Driver’s Performance Among People Aged over 65
Mahdi Ebnali Heidari, Kamal Azam, Ahmadreza Nazeri, Majid Ebnali Heidari, Alireza Shateri,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (3-2017)
Abstract

Introduction: Driving is a complex task engaging high level of cognitive and motor processes. Adding to this complexity, engagement in cognitive secondary tasks such as talking with other passengers, speaking on the cell phone or listening to radio may effect driving performance. In addition, age-related cognitive limitations may adversely challenge driving performance. As the number of elderly drivers is rising, it is important to pay more attention to this matter.

Methods: The effects of cognitive secondary tasks on driving performance were explored through two on-road experiments (with and without listening to a recorded dialogue). In this study thirty-two individuals (male, M = 72.6, SD = 5.43) voluntarily took part in the experiments. The mean driving speed, duration of driving in unsafe-zones, numbers of overtaking, and deviation of lateral lane position were recorded, adopting a radar system and video camera. After determination of the normality of data, paired t test and correlation analysis were conducted.

Results: Mean driving speed (P < 0.05), duration of driving in an unsafe zone (P < 0.05), and numbers of overtaking (P < 0.001) showed considerable reduction of participants’ engagement in listening to the recorded dialogue. In contrast, mean deviation of lateral lane position increased.

Conclusions: The findings revealed that driving performance of elderly drivers was effected when listening to a recorded dialogue. However, in order to increase driving safety, they adopted some compensating strategies.


The Necessity of Ergonomic Considerations in Accreditation of Hospitals with Emphasize on Elderly Features
Mahboubeh Sadat Rahmanpour, Abbas Ebadi, Aram Tirgar,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (10-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The objective of hospital accreditation is to increase the safety and satisfaction of patients and employees, with the contribution of which can be achieved through environmental adaption. The present study aimed to explain the necessity of using ergonomic considerations in the process of hospital accreditation.
Methods: This methodological study was designed in 2018 and simultaneously conducted with the psychometric evaluation and validation of the structural fitness assessment tool of age-friendly hospitals. The determination of the structural components was done by examining the texts and validating the items using the Delphi method. After determining the content validity, classification of items into mandatory or essential sections was made by obtaining at least two thirds and one thirds of the experts votes, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data processing.
Results: The processing of expert opinion about 72 items (content validity) showed that the majority of subjects (55 items equivalent to 76%) were mandatory or essential, with the highest proportion of mandatory cases being made by the gerontologists, and the least architectural experts.
Conclusion: Considering the growth of the elderly population in the country and, on the other hand, the high contribution of the elderly to the treatment centers, and the necessity or basicity of the majority of tool items, the application of ergonomic principles in the accreditations seems necessary.
 

Comparison of Usability of Touch-screen and Button Cell Phones Among Elderly Users
Ali Arabian, Seyed Abolfazl Zakerian,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract

Background and Objectives: The use of new technologies, particularly mobile phones, is drastically growing on a daily basis. The usability of mobile phones can be determined for different age groups in order to reach a balanced development plan with respect to this technology. The present study aimed to investigate and compare the usability of touch-screen and button cell phones among Iranian elderly users, with respect to objective performance and perceived usability.  
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 20 elders (50% female) with an average age of  were selected by simple random sampling method to measure the usability of touch-screen and button cell phones. In order to assess the objective performance of how elders work with cell phones, tests were conducted including items like typing speed, number of typing errors, taking photo, creating new contacts, and sending text messages. Perceived usability was obtained using a questionnaire of cell phone usability. Furthermore, muscle pressure and mental work load during cell phone use were evaluated by Borg CR10 and NASA-TLX questionnaires, respectively. Data were analyzed conducting statistical analysis tests of T-test and Mann-Whitney by SPSS24 software.
Results: Results revealed that the average typing speed and typing errors in touch-screen cell phones are larger than that in button cell phones. Moreover, the average of perceived usability in touch-screen cell phones (5.8) is higher than that in button cell phones (4.3). Pearson correlation coefficient showed an inverse relationship (-0.3) between perceived usability and mental work load obtained in both types of the cell phones. Findings showed that the maximum perceived muscle pressure when working with a cell phone is felt in the neck area. 
Conclusion: According to the obtained results, touch-screen cellphones are suggested for those elders who type more and button cell phones are recommended for those who use the cell phone menu more frequently, namely taking photo, calling, internet, and so forth.
 


Development and Validation of Ergonomics Elderly House Risk Factors Checklist and Assessment Elderly Functional Ability Checklist
Dr Adel Mazloumi, Leila Hajizadeh, Vafa Feyzi,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract

Background and Objectives: These days, due to increasing of old people’s population, elderly is a world widely issue. According to World Health Organization (WHO) people older than 60 years old are called elderly. Becoming old leads to decline in physical ability and increase in physical limitations and therefore there is a need for matching the environment with elderly users. The aim of this study is to develop and valid of check lists for screening the environment risk factor and assessing of elderly functional ability for environment and tools designing.  
Methods: Present study is an analytical and descriptive study, which was performed in 20 houses for old people in Lar city. Data collection was done on existing articles and checklists, and also interview and observation with elderly. Existing checklist was evaluated in validity and reliability with high acceptable level.  
Results: Based on findings of this study, height of mirror of wash-stand, height of wash-stand, dimension of yard and doorway was considered in ergonomics risk factors checklist. Items like opening door personally was involved in Functional Ability checklist. Validity score was lower than 0.78. 
Conclusion: According to findings, it’s necessary to consider elderly limitations and ability in designing environment and tools in order to resolve their problems and increase their quality of life.


The Effect of Non-Slippery Flooring on Postural Stability and Gait Parameters in Severe Osteoporosis Elderly
Ramin Rafeie, Mohammad Eftekhari Yazdi, Koorosh Nakhaee, Siamak Khorramymehr,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (12-2022)
Abstract
Objectives: Investigating the effective factors in controlling and increasing stability due to weakening of the balance parts of the body in the elderly with osteoporosis, in order to prevent falling is of particular importance, so in this study, the effect of anti-slip flooring in the stimulation of the somatosensory part of the sole of the foot to improve postural stability and gait balance has been evaluated in the elderly with osteoporosis.
Methods: 22 elderlies participated (11 elderly women with severe osteoporosis,11 healthy elderly women) in this study in two static and dynamic condition on three different surfaces including sponge non-slippery flooring (FL), PVC patterned non-slippery flooring (SF) and control surface (CO). In the static part, each participant was standing on the force plate for 30 seconds with eyes open and eyes closed. The values of the length, sway and average velocity of the anterior-posterior and internal-external center of pressure of the foot were measured. In the dynamic part, each participant walked at a selected speed on different surfaces and the values of the normalized step and stride length, step width, step and stride time, and average step and stride velocity were measured.
Results: PVC non-slippery flooring (SF) and control surface (CO) reduced all postural stability and gait variables (P < 0.05) in osteoporosis and healthy elderly than soft Sponge Surface (SF). Moreover, all postural stability variable and spatial and temporal gait parameters were significantly more in the osteoporosis elderly than in healthy elderlies (P < 0.05). Moreover, anterior-posterior mean velocity in open-eyed state significantly reduced in both elderly groups than close-eyed state (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Stiff and patterned surfaces are more effective than soft spongy surfaces in stimulating the somatosensory part of the foot sole to improve stability in both osteoporotic and healthy elderly groups. The results of this study may be helpful to understand the characteristics of the elderly while walking and standing on non-slippery flooring in different environments and the ergonomic design of the environment in order to reduce slips and falls and as a result possible fracture in the elderly with severe osteoporosis. In addition, observation of instability between the elderly with osteoporosis and healthy suggests the need for further investigation and the use of auxiliary exercises to correct and improve stability.

Comprehensive Fall Prevention Strategies in Elderly: A Systematic Review
Neda Ghasemi, Mohamadhossein Nabian, Hossein Fallah, Morteza Ghasemi, Amirmohamad Najafipour,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in the elderly; therefore, prevention and early intervention seem essential. Given the importance of examining and identifying factors affecting falls and the lack of such studies, it is essential to conduct this research to investigate the factors influencing falls in older adults in developing countries, with an emphasis on safety and ergonomics.
Methods: A review method was used to conduct this study. Articles from 2019 to 2024 were found using the keywords: "Fall risk factor," "Safety," "Elderly," "Fall prevention," "Home safety," and "Urban safety" on PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar websites.
Results: After a total of 1,154 publications were located, 523 were chosen based on their titles, 120 were examined based on their abstracts, and 51 were chosen whose full texts were available in English. Many elements, including psychological, physical, and cognitive characteristics, ergonomic and safety tools, awareness and education, social factors, and urban services, were examined in the publications about falls among the elderly.
Conclusion: The risk factors for falls in the elderly were taken into account in this study by classifying external variables and internal factors, all of which had an impact on falls in the elderly. The results indicate that few studies have simultaneously assessed multiple factors. Therefore, it is recommended that future studies examine multiple factors concurrently, considering the impact of awareness factors.

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