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. 2020 Mar 5;17(5):1706.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17051706.

Psychophysical Health Factors and Its Correlations in Elderly Wheelchair Users Who Live in Nursing Homes

Natalia Wołoszyn  1 , Joanna Grzegorczyk  1 , Agnieszka Wiśniowska-Szurlej  1 , Justyna Kilian  1 , Andrzej Kwolek  1
Affiliations

Psychophysical Health Factors and Its Correlations in Elderly Wheelchair Users Who Live in Nursing Homes

Natalia Wołoszyn et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: The aging is a multi-faceted process comprising both-the physical and mental alterations. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the variables affecting the psychophysical state of the elderly people using wheelchairs and living in nursing homes (NH). Methods: 165 older wheelchair users were included in the study after meeting the inclusion criteria and expressing written consent. The assessment involved cognitive functioning, depression, body balance and flexibility, lung capacity and upper limbs dexterity, strenght and endurance. The results showed negative correlation between depression and balance, upper limb dexterity and endurance and shoulder flexion. A positive correlation between cognitive functioning and balance, upper limb dexterity, strenght and endurance, lung capacity and joint mobility was determined. Also, the study proved positive correlation between daily functioning and functional fitness, muscle strength and endurance, body flexibility, joint mobility. The regression analysis showed that better scores in balance test and joint mobility implied with higher scores in cognitive functioning. The most important determinants of functional fitness were balance, hand grip strenght and joint mobility. Conclusion: The future study should be focused on developing interventions aimed at senior wheelchair users living in NHs to prevent the deterioration of their mental and physical fitness.

Keywords: elderly; mental health; nursing homes; physical health; wheelchair user.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of participants through the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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