AimTo investigate the influence of replacing sedentary time with physical activity on cognitive function using an isotemporal substitution model in a population of community‐dwelling oldest old.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included residents of the Arakawa ward, Tokyo, who were part of a prospective cohort from the Arakawa 85+ study. We measured physical activity in 136 participants using a triaxial actigraph. Cognitive function was measured using the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination‐III and participants were divided into a “cognitive decline group” (Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination‐III ≤88) and “cognitive maintain group” (Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination‐III ≥89). Physical activity was divided into three categories: sedentary behavior (≤1.5 metabolic equivalents), light physical activity (>1.5 to <3.0 metabolic equivalents), and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (≥3 metabolic equivalents). Using an isotemporal substitution approach, we applied multiple logistic regression analysis to demonstrate the association between cognitive function and replacing 30 min/day of sedentary behavior with an equal period of light physical activity. Covariates included age, education and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.ResultsOur findings showed that in men, replacing 30 min of sedentary behavior per day with light physical activity was associated with a 1.47‐fold increase in the odds of maintaining cognitive function. An association between physical activity and cognitive function was not observed in female participants.ConclusionsOur results indicate that substituting sedentary behavior with light physical activity could be helpful in maintaining cognitive function in community‐dwelling oldest old men. These results highlight the importance of behavioral changes to promote cognition. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 773–778.

Shogi is a popular board game in Japan, and shogi-assisted cognitive–behavioral therapy (S-CBT) has been applied in Kakogawa City, a Japanese municipality. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of S-CBT on the subjective well-being of elderly men. Participants were 61 elderly men with amateur skill at shogi. They were randomly assigned to either the S-CBT group or a wait list group (control). The S-CBT group participated in a weekly, six-session S-CBT program. The intervention outcomes were scores on the K6, Lubben Social Network Scale, and a five-item cognitive–behavioral functioning scale. The Subjective Well-being Scale was used to assess happiness and satisfaction with life, and all the participants were classified into high- and low-happiness groups using the median score as the cutoff. The results showed that scores on “self-reinforcement” were significantly ( P < 0.05) increased for those receiving S-CBT compared with controls, regardless of the participants’ happiness scores. In contrast, the scores on “problem solving skills for alleviating stress” were significantly (P < 0.05) increased for those receiving S-CBT compared with controls only among those in the low-happiness group. These results remained significant after controlling for the effects of age and baseline scores on the K6, Social Network Scale, and “problem solving skills for alleviating stress” category. The S-CBT may be especially beneficial when focused on practical advice for the stress management of older people with low subjective well-being. (trial registration: 000036003 [UMIN, Japan]). Trial Registration: Trial registration number: 000036003 [UMIN, Japan].

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a pre-condition for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) undergoing hemodialysis, as well as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is vital that CKD prevention measures be established. In particular, socioeconomic status (SES), as represented by income, contributes to non-communicable diseases like CKD. The purpose of this study was to examine the independent association between CKD and individual SES in Japan, with consideration of other metabolic risks. Methods: In the present study, we analyzed the 2011 National Health and Nutrition Survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. Specifically, we analyzed 3,557 people out of 8,762 whose serum creatinine was measured. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of CKD by income distinction, after adjustment for age and metabolic risks (obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypertension), which were assessed at the medical examination. Results: CKD was found in 385 participants (10.8%) and was associated with greater age, obesity, higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and glycated hemoglobin, and lower levels of hemoglobin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The adjusted model indicated a significant association between lower income and CKD: the OR of the low income group (<2 million yen) was 1.33 (95% confidence interval: 1.01 -1.78) in comparison with the high income group. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate a substantial relationship between individual lower income status and CKD in Japan, where healthcare is easy to access. To prevent ESKD and cardiovascular diseases, early detection of CKD and its metabolic risks is necessary, especially among the socioeconomically vulnerable population.

Background The purpose of this study was to clarify the structure of subjective well-being in post-COVID-19 and to provide baseline information for future studies. To this end, we clarified the structure of subjective well-being (SWB) based on psychological factors that affect SWB. The Japanese and English versions of the scale were developed, and the scale and the SWB were also used to determine the cultural characteristics of the Japanese and U.S. participants. Methods and Results In Study 1, we administered a questionnaire to 1721 participants in Japan (aged 20–79 years). A total of 107 psychological factors that were shown to influence SWB in previous studies were selected, and factor analysis was conducted on items that showed an association with SWB. The results revealed four relevant factors: 1) Accepting what is, 2) Grateful for connections, 3) Ikigai/Life fulfillment, and 4) Love for self. In Study 2, we developed Japanese and English versions of the four-factor well-being scale that was clarified in Study 1 and administered them to participants in Japan and the U.S. In Study 3, we identified comparative cultural trends in SWB and the four-factor well-being in Japan and the U.S. (Japan: n = 2628; U.S.: n = 2617). Conclusions This novel study is the first cohort study to capture the characteristics of contemporary SWB during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this study, we provide a new perspective on the structural elements of SWB in people living today.

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