Aim A testing method for early diagnosis of Mild cognitive dementia (MCI) that can be easily applied in clinical practice was investigated in this study. We examined whether MCI risk can be determined through finger movements. Methods Between 2013 and 2020, 1097 individuals were screened. After applying propensity-score matching to adjust for variability between the groups, 173 individuals each in the mild cognitive impairment and control groups were selected. Thereafter, differences between groups in mean values of parameters extracted from finger tap movements were determined using unpaired t-test and effect size. Furthermore, area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve for parameters with significant difference. Results A significant difference was observed, especially in the number of taps in the MCI group compared with that in the control group ( p < .001; 95% CI, −12.7 to −8.8; r = 0.51). A cut-off value of 30 taps was applied (sensitivity, 0.77; specificity, 0.67; AUC, 0.79). Significant differences were also observed in rhythm-related parameters. Conclusions These parameters might be useful for capturing MCI risk. Finger taps are easily measured and may be suitable for screening large populations. This tool might be used as a supplemental method to increase the sensitivity of traditional cognitive tests.

We examined whether adding robot-supported balance exercises to cardiac rehabilitation improves the ability to balance in older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We conducted a prospective study in 52 older adults who had been hospitalized for worsening CVD. Once weekly for four months, for a total of sixteen sessions as outpatients, the subjects used a Balance Exercise Assist Robot (BEAR) to perform balance exercises and an ergometer for aerobic exercises. Participants’ mean age was 76.9 ± 6.8 years (range, 65–95 years), and their mean brain natriuretic protein level was 164.0 ± 190.0 pg/mL. After the intervention, participants showed significant improvements in gait speed (before, 1.06 ± 0.33 m/s; after, 1.23 ± 0.30 m/s; p < 0.001), Short Physical Performance Battery score (before, 10.02 ± 2.25; after, 10.88 ± 1.79; p ˂ 0.001), timed up-and-go (before, 11.11 ± 5.07 s; after, 9.45 ± 3.45 s; p ˂ 0.001), and knee extension (before, 26.97 ± 11.78 kgf; after, 30.13 ± 13.04 kgf; p = 0.001). Cardiac rehabilitation including exercises using BEAR improved physical functioning and the ability to balance in older adults with CVD. Frail and prefrail patients improved, whereas robust ones did not change.

Background Aging is the most significant risk factor for dementia. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) accounts for approximately 60–80% of all dementia cases in older adults. This study aimed to examine the relationship between finger movements and brain volume in AD patients using a voxel-based reginal analysis system for Alzheimer’s disease (VSRAD) software. Methods Patients diagnosed with AD at the Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders were included. The diagnostic criteria were based on the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association. A finger-tapping device was used for all measurements. Participants performed the tasks in the following order: with their non-dominant hand, dominant hand, both hands simultaneously, and alternate hands. Movements were measured for 15 s each. The relationship between distance and output was measured. Magnetic resonance imaging measurements were performed, and VSRAD was conducted using sagittal section 3D T1-weighted images. The Z-score was used to calculate the severity of medial temporal lobe atrophy. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient analyzed the relationship between the severity of medial temporal lobe atrophy and mean values of the parameters in the finger-tapping movements. The statistical significance level was set at <5%. The calculated p-values were corrected using the Bonferroni method. Results Sixty-two patients were included in the study. Comparison between VSRAD and MoCA-J scores corrected for p-values showed a significant negative correlation with the extent of gray matter atrophy (r = -0. 52; p< 0.001). A positive correlation was observed between the severity of medial temporal lobe atrophy and standard deviation (SD) of the distance rate of velocity peak in extending movements in the non-dominant hand (r = 0. 51; p< 0.001). Conclusions The SD of distance rate of velocity peak in extending movements extracted from finger taps may be a useful parameter for the early detection of AD and diagnosis of its severity.

Objective: Differences in finger movement characteristics during finger-tapping movements among Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients, and healthy elderly individuals were examined using a magnetic sensing finger-tap device (UB-2; Maxell, Tokyo), and relationships with cognitive function were investigated. Methods: Finger-tapping movements were measured and multiple comparisons using mean values of parameters from each group were conducted. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Spearman rank-correlation coefficients were used to analyze relationships between these parameters and MMSE scores. Results: Significant differences were observed in total traveling distance, standard deviation (SD) of contact duration, SD of inter-tapping interval, and SD of phase difference between left-and right-hand tapping. MMSE score showed a weak negative correlation with the SD of contact duration of the left hand (r = -0.28, p < 0.05). Weak positive correlations were observed in total traveling distance of the left hand (r = 0.3, p < 0.05) and right hand (r = 0.25, p < 0.05) and the inphase task for the right hand (r = 0.28, p < 0.05). Conclusion: These parameters may represent finger movements that are characteristic of AD and MCI.

Decreased use of life spaces, as reflected in decreased Life-Space Assessment (LSA) scores, is associated with poor prognosis in older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine factors affecting the extent of life-space activities in older adults with cardiovascular disease.Methods: We carried out a prospective observational study in 98 older adults (minimum age 65 years; mean age 79.5 AE 7.4 years) who were admitted to our hospital due to cardiovascular disease. Once their medical condition was stable, they underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing, echocardiography and physical evaluation, and completed questionnaires.Results: The LSA score was significantly associated with the ability to drive a car (driving 95.1 AE 21.1 points, not driving 60.4 AE 30.3 points, P < 0.001). In addition, LSA was significantly correlated with age; peak VO 2 ; brain natriuretic peptide; and Short Physical Performance Battery, Geriatric Depression Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination scores. In a multiple regression analysis, Short Physical Performance Battery and driving a car were significantly associated with LSA (β = 0.28, β = 0.37, respectively). Conclusion:Assessment of motor function and social factors in addition to clinical cardiac function might be important to understand the complete context of life-space activity in older adults with cardiovascular disease.