Going outdoors and cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults: Moderating role of physical function

• Published in: Geriatrics & gerontology international Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 65 - 73
• Main Authors: Harada, Kazuhiro, Lee, Sangyoon, Park, Hyuntae, Shimada, Hiroyuki, Makizako, Hyuma, Doi, Takehiko, Yoshida, Daisuke, Tsutsumimoto, Kota, Anan, Yuya, Uemura, Kazuki, Suzuki, Takao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cognition - physiology; cognition disorders; Cognition Disorders - etiology; Cognitive ability; Dementia; effect modifier; Environment; Female; Health Status; homebound persons; Humans; Independent Living; Japan; Male; Older people; physical function; preventive medicine; Risk Factors; Self Report; Socioeconomic Factors; Studies; Time Factors; aged; physical function; effect modifier; preventive medicine; cognition disorders; homebound persons
• ISSN: 1444-1586; 1447-0594
• DOI: 10.1111/ggi.12437

Aims Identifying the risk factors of cognitive impairment is essential for implementing effective prevention strategies for dementia. Previous studies have shown that the frequency of going outdoors is inversely associated with cognitive decline. Little research has examined whether the relationship between going outdoors and cognitive decline varies with physical functioning in older adults. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between going outdoors and cognitive function in older adults with and without physical function limitations. Methods The present study analyzed the data of 4450 individuals (aged 65 years or older) who participated in the Obu Study of Health Promotion for the Elderly. The measures were the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), going outdoors (at least once a week or not), self‐reported physical function limitations (with or without), and demographic and health‐related factors as potential confounders. Results Analysis of covariance and post‐hoc comparisons showed that although going outdoors at least once a week was associated with higher MMSE scores among older adults with limited physical function, it was not significantly associated with the MMSE scores among older adults without limited physical function. Similarly, logistic regression analyses, stratified by physical function, showed a significant association between going outdoors and MMSE (<24 points or not) among older adults with limited physical function. Conclusions The results show that going outdoors less than once a week is associated with decreased cognitive function among older adults with limited physical function, but it is not associated with cognitive function among older adults without limited physical function. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 65–73.