Association of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Physical Function, and Mental Health among Older Returnees after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident

Abstract

The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and consequent Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident caused a large-scale evacuation, generating various health issues. Although residents gradually returned, their independence of daily living and associated factors remain unknown. This study examines the hypothesis that physical and mental status are associated with the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) of older returnees (65 years and above) after the disaster. Older returnees to Kawauchi Village, Fukushima Prefecture, located 20–30 km southwest of the power plants, were recruited. IADL was assessed using the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence, physical function via the 30-s chair stand test, and mental health via the Japanese version of the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index. To examine the association of IADL and possible factors, a t-test or Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient was used, stratified by sex. The data of 29 participants (75.5 ± 7.4 years, 19 female) were analyzed. Physical function was associated with IADL in females. Mental health was associated with IADL in males and females. Taking measures to strengthen physical function in females, as well as to improve mental health in both sexes, for enhancing IADL ability could be beneficial.

Outpatient rehabilitation for an older couple in a repopulated village 10 years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster:An embedded case study

“…Her THArelated physical recovery was similar to that in a previous study 20) . In addition, mental health and physical function in women are reportedly related to instrumental activities of daily living 21) , which was in line with our observation. Regarding safety assurance, outpatient rehabilitation in a hospital, for example, would be a suitable setting to receive rehabilitation 22) .…”

“…In the woman’s case, alleviation of anxiety may have resulted from initial improvement in physical function following rehabilitation. Her THA-related physical recovery was similar to that in a previous study 20) In addition, mental health and physical function in women are reportedly related to instrumental activities of daily living 21) , which was in line with our observation. Regarding safety assurance, outpatient rehabilitation in a hospital, for example, would be a suitable setting to receive rehabilitation 22) In order to receive post- operative rehabilitation, rehabilitation at the care facility was effective.…”

Prediction and mediation analysis for treatment responses to combined cognitive and physical training for older adults

“…The ability to perform IADL is an essential cornerstone of independent living and personal autonomy. Previous studies have shown that IADL ability depends on cognitive 10 , 11 and physical functions 12 – 14 . Existing evidence has shown that multi-dimensional cognitive abilities are associated with IADL in older adults 15 – 23 ; these abilities include processing speed (the ability to process information rapidly) 24 , sustained attention (the ability to maintain vigilance on a particular task over an extended period) 25 , 26 , verbal memory (the ability to store and recall phonological information) 27 , and executive functions (a collection of top-down mental control processes, including inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) 28 .…”