TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring the Associations between Functional Capacity, Cognitive Function and Well-Being in Older Adults
AU - Stavrinou, Pinelopi S.
AU - Aphamis, George
AU - Pantzaris, Marios
AU - Sakkas, Giorgos K.
AU - Giannaki, Christoforos D.
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was funded by Universitas Foundation Seed Grant 2016, grant number UFF/216/21.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors.
PY - 2022/7
Y1 - 2022/7
N2 - Background: The present study aimed to explore the associations between functional capacity and global cognition, executive function and well-being in older adults. Methods: Ninety-seven older adults (age 80.6 ± 8.2 years) were examined for global cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination), executive function (symbol cancellation test), functional capacity (sit-to-stand tests, 6 min walk test, timed up-and-go test and handgrip strength test) and well-being (quality of life, fatigue levels, sleep quality and daily sleepiness). Adjusted partial correlations were computed to examine the associations between variables. Mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate whether functional capacity would mediate the relationships between age and cognitive or executive function. Results: Greater levels of functional capacity were associated with better performance in cognitive and executive function tests (p < 0.05). Mediation analyses revealed that functional capacity partially mediated the effects of age on global cognition and executive function (indirect effect: β = −0.11, 95% CI = −0.20 to −0.03; β = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.13 to 0.57, respectively). Increased levels of functional capacity were also associated with higher quality of life (p < 0.05, r = 0.32 to 0.41), lower fatigue levels (p < 0.05, r = 0.23 to 0.37), and better sleep quality (p < 0.05, r = 0.23 to 0.24). Conclusions: Functional capacity can mediate the effects of age on global cognition and executive function in older adults and greater levels of functional capacity are associated with improved quality of life, better sleep quality, and lower fatigue levels.
AB - Background: The present study aimed to explore the associations between functional capacity and global cognition, executive function and well-being in older adults. Methods: Ninety-seven older adults (age 80.6 ± 8.2 years) were examined for global cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination), executive function (symbol cancellation test), functional capacity (sit-to-stand tests, 6 min walk test, timed up-and-go test and handgrip strength test) and well-being (quality of life, fatigue levels, sleep quality and daily sleepiness). Adjusted partial correlations were computed to examine the associations between variables. Mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate whether functional capacity would mediate the relationships between age and cognitive or executive function. Results: Greater levels of functional capacity were associated with better performance in cognitive and executive function tests (p < 0.05). Mediation analyses revealed that functional capacity partially mediated the effects of age on global cognition and executive function (indirect effect: β = −0.11, 95% CI = −0.20 to −0.03; β = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.13 to 0.57, respectively). Increased levels of functional capacity were also associated with higher quality of life (p < 0.05, r = 0.32 to 0.41), lower fatigue levels (p < 0.05, r = 0.23 to 0.37), and better sleep quality (p < 0.05, r = 0.23 to 0.24). Conclusions: Functional capacity can mediate the effects of age on global cognition and executive function in older adults and greater levels of functional capacity are associated with improved quality of life, better sleep quality, and lower fatigue levels.
KW - aging
KW - cognition
KW - endurance
KW - executive function
KW - fatigue
KW - fitness
KW - quality of life
KW - sleep
KW - strength
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85136988252&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/life12071042
DO - 10.3390/life12071042
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85136988252
SN - 2075-1729
VL - 12
JO - Life
JF - Life
IS - 7
M1 - 1042
ER -