Bettina Wollesen

Background In nursing home residents, the combination of decreasing mobility and declining cognitive abilities, including spatial orientation, often leads to reduced physical activity (PA) and life-space (LS) mobility. As a consequence of sedentary behavior, there is a lack of social interaction and cognitive stimulation, resulting in low quality of life. It has not yet been examined whether cognitive-motor training including spatial cognitive tasks is suitable to improve spatial orientation and, as a consequence, to enlarge LS mobility, and increase well-being and general cognitive-motor functioning. Therefore, the overall goal of this multicentric randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to compare the effect of three different intervention approaches including functional exercise and orientation tasks on PA, LS and spatial orientation in nursing home residents. Methods A three-arm single-blinded multicenter RCT with a wait-list control group will be conducted in a sample of 513 indiv...

IntroductionNursing staff is burdened by high workload and stress. Furthermore, heavy lifting, as well as transferring nursing home residents, cause lumbar tissue damage and back pain. Exercise intervention studies to reduce work-related problems are rare and the evidence for efficacy of studies among nurses is limited. Studies including targeted analysis of requirements are necessary to generate effective recommendations and tailored interventions for health promotion programmes. The purpose of this multicentred intervention study is to identify work-related problems, to implement health promotion programmes and to evaluate their effectiveness.Methods and analysisA randomised controlled trial will be conducted, including a total of 48 nursing home facilities in eight regions of Germany with an estimated sample size of 700 nurses. Standardised ergonomics and posture training (10 weeks, once a week for 20–30 min) and subsequently, back-fitness training (12 weeks, once a week for 45–6...

Background: Health benefits from physical activity (PA) can be achieved by following the WHO recommendation for PA. To increase PA in inactive individuals, digital interventions can provide cost-effective and low-threshold access. Moreover, gamification elements can raise the motivation for PA. This study analyzed which factors (personality traits, app features, gamification) are relevant to increasing PA within this target group. Methods: N = 808 inactive participants (f = 480; m = 321; age = 48 ± 6) were integrated into the analysis of the desire for PA, the appearance of personality traits and resulting interest in app features and gamification. The statistical analysis included chi-squared tests, one-way ANOVA and regression analysis. Results: The main interests in PA were fitness (97%) and outdoor activities (75%). No significant interaction between personality traits, interest in PA goals, app features and gamification were found. The interest in gamification was determined by...

ObjectivesThe aim of this Delphi survey was to establish an international consensus on the most useful outcome measures for research on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for migraine. This is important, since guidelines for pharmacological trials recommend measuring the frequency of headaches with 50% reduction considered a clinically meaningful effect. It is unclear whether the same recommendations apply to complementary (or adjunct) non-pharmacological approaches, whether the same cut-off levels need to be considered for effectiveness when used as an adjunct or stand-alone intervention, and what is meaningful to patients.SettingUniversity-initiated international survey.ParticipantsThe expert panel was chosen based on publications on non-pharmacological interventions in migraine populations and from personal contacts. 35 eligible researchers were contacted, 12 agreed to participate and 10 completed all 3 rounds of the survey. To further explore how migraine pat...

Background Older adults, who are living in nursing homes that provide a high level of long-term nursing care, are characterized by multimorbidity and a high prevalence of dependency in activities of daily living. Results of recent studies indicate positive effects of structured exercise programs during long-term care for physical functioning, cognition, and psychosocial well-being. However, for frail elderly the evidence remains inconsistent. There are no evidence-based guidelines for exercises for nursing home residents that consider their individual deficits and capacities. Therefore, high-quality studies are required to examine the efficacy of exercise interventions for this multimorbid target group. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a multicomponent exercise intervention for nursing home residents that aims to improve physical and cognitive functioning as well as quality of life. Methods A two-arm single-blinded multicenter randomized cont...

Background: Nurses in geriatric care are exposed to various burdens in the workplace that result in high stress levels. The perceived stress may result in a lack of professional caring and burnout. Objectives: The study aim was to identify work-related and personal factors that determine stress levels to design tailored interventions. Research design: cross-sectional study. Subjects: N = 195 geriatric nursing staff members. Measures: The survey included validated questionnaires (Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress (TICS), Health Survey Short form 12 (SF-12), Nordic Questionnaire) to identify work-related burdens, resulting stress levels and work-related behavior (AVEM). According to the limits of the Screening Subscale for chronic stress (SSCS) of the TICS, nurses were classified as stressed or non-stressed. With four-step regression analysis, main predictors for the stress level were identified. Results: The analysis revealed body postures, handling heavy loads, time pressure, deadl...

Zusammenfassung Fragestellung Maßnahmen zur Gesundheitsförderung werden von Männern deutlich seltener in Anspruch genommen als von Frauen. Motivationshürden sowie zielgruppenspezifische Wünsche und Vorstellungen von Männern zur Ausgestaltung von Angeboten wurden bislang kaum erfasst. Das quantitative Survey analysiert Motive und Hürden zur Teilnahme an Präventionsangeboten von Männern. Hierbei wurde die Stichprobe in 2 Untergruppen anhand ihrer potenziellen Bereitschaft zur Aufnahme einer gesundheitsförderlichen Aktivität (motiviert vs. nicht-motiviert) unterteilt und Unterschiede der Motivationstypen hinsichtlich des gegenwärtigen Gesundheitszustands und -verhaltens ermittelt, mit dem Ziel zukünftig bedarfsgerechtere Maßnahmen zu planen. Methodik N=243 Männer (Motivierte n=147, nicht-Motivierte n=96) nahmen an der standardisierten Online-Befragung teil. Zur quantitativen Datenerhebung wurden der BMZI, KKG, SF-12, TICS und der MGV-39 eingesetzt. Die Überprüfung von Unterschieden zwi...

Chronic pain including migraine is associated with structural and functional changes in the somatosensory cortex. Previous reports proposed two-point discrimination (TPD) as a measurement for cortical alterations. Limited evidence exists for tactile acuity in the neck and no data is available for migraine. To introduce a standardized protocol for the measurement of TPD in the upper cervical spine, 51 healthy participants were investigated with a newly developed paradigm which was evaluated for intra-rater reliability. The same protocol was applied by two further examiners to 28 migraine patients and 21 age-, and gender-matched healthy controls to investigate inter-rater reliability and between group differences. Results indicated excellent intra-rater (right ICC = 0.82, left ICC = 0.83) and good inter-rater reliability (right ICC = 0.70, left ICC = 0.75). Migraine patients had larger TPD thresholds (26.86 ± 7.21) than healthy controls (23.30 ± 6.17) but these became only statistical...

The rate of men participating in health promotion programs is lower than that of women. The reasons and barriers for the different motivation of men as well as wishes and perception for prevention are not yet sufficiently analyzed. This quantitative survey examines motives and barriers of men for participation in primary prevention. Thus, the sample was subdivided into 2 groups, namely motivated vs. non-motivated regarding being active for health promotion. Differences between the 2 groups concerning current health status, health beliefs and health behavior were analyzed to plan more suitable programs in the future.A sample of N=243 men (motivated n=147, non-motivated n=96) participated in the standardized online-survey. The quantitative data analysis integrated the BMZI, KKG, SF-12, TICS and the MGV-39. The examination of the differences between the sub-groups was done with Chi²-Tests and analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) with IBM SPSS 22 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp).The group of moti...

Dual-task (DT) training is a well-accepted modality for fall prevention in older adults. DT training should include task-managing strategies such as task switching or task prioritization to improve gait performance under DT conditions.We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate a balance and task managing training (BDT group) in gait performance compared to a single task (ST) strength and resistance training and a control group, which received no training. A total of 78 older individuals (72.0 ± 4.9 years) participated in this study. The DT group performed task managing training incorporating balance and coordination tasks while the ST group performed resistance training only. Training consisted of 12 weekly sessions, 60 min each, for 12 weeks. We assessed the effects of ST and BDT training on walking performance under ST and DT conditions in independent living elderly adults. ST and DT walking (visual verbal Stroop task) were measured utilizing a treadmill at self-select...

Adults with "hearing loss" have an increased falls risks. There may be an association between hearing impairment and walking performance under dual-task (DT) and triple-task (TT) conditions. The aim of this study was to identify DT and TT effects on walking speed, step length, and cadence in adults with hearing impairment, previous falls, and physical limitations. The observational study included 73 community-dwelling older people seeking audiology services. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, previous falls, fear of falling, physical limitations, and walking performance under three task conditions. Differences between the task conditions (single task [ST], DT, and TT) and the hearing groups were analyzed with a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. The influence of fall risks and limited physical functioning on walking under ST, DT, and TT conditions was analyzed with ANOVAs, with ST, DT, and TT performance as repeated measurement factor (i.e., walking speed, step length and Cadence × Previous falls, or short physical performance battery <12 × Hearing Groups). Walking speed was reduced accompanied by decreased step length and increased cadence in people with more severe hearing loss. Larger negative effects on DT and TT walking were found with increasing hearing loss (speed and cadence decreased with higher DT costs). Highest DT costs were found for the walking-manual conditions. These results were accompanied by small effects of older age and more comorbidities. This first screening data of walking performance under different conditions for people with hearing loss warrants the need for development and investigation of training interventions to improve walking abilities. DT training may be beneficial to enhance motor and cognitive flexibility and to reduce fall risks.

Playing volleyball and corresponding training loads lead to specific strains and might result in asymmetric muscle pattern. The study aimed to identify volleyball specific maximum bilateral strength asymmetries in comparison to fitness athletes. The cross-sectional study design compared an age-matched male volleyball group (n= 23; 27.9 ± 5 years) with a fitness group (n= 30; 26.3 ± 3 years). The participants performed an isometric maximum handgrip strength test followed by two isokinetic concentric maximum strength tests to determine the performance capacity of the axial trunk rotators (left-right) and bilateral leg extensors.Differences between groups and left-right side (within group) were proven by variance analysis with repeated measurement.There was a left-right-difference with higher maximum forces for the rotation in the right direction in the volleyball group (p=0.0058) but the group interaction effect was not significant after alpha error accumulation. The results of the le...

Nursing staff in all settings have multiple work-related problems due to patient handling and occupational stressors, which result in high stress levels and low back pain. In this context the importance of health promotion becomes apparent. The aim of this study is to analyse whether nursing staff (in elderly care, hospitals, home care, or trainees) show different levels of work-related burdens and whether they require individualized components in health promotion programs. N = 242 German nurses were included in a quantitative survey (Health survey, Screening Scale (SSCS) of Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress, Slesina). The differences were tested using Chi2-Tests, Kruskal–Wallis Test and one-way ANOVA. Nurses differed in stress loads and were chronically stressed (F(3236) = 5.775, p = 0.001). Nurses in home care showed the highest SSCS-values with time pressure as the most important straining factor. The physical strains also placed a particular burden on nurses in home care, where...

Common occupational health problems, especially low back pain, are associated with physical demands of work, like lifting heavy weights. The study examined a multidimensional methodological approach (BASE) to reduce physical stresses in a logistic company in three stages: (1) theoretical background and implementation of the program, (2) evaluation of outcome-effects of a box lifting training (10 weeks) and (3) learning and lasting effects of workers` knowledge and behaviour with regard to ergonomic box lifting. Video analysis and questionnaires were used for breakdown analysis. Stage (2) and (3) collected intervention effects with a controlled pre-post design (N=41 males; 37.8± 10.8 y.) The breakdown analysis revealed low back pain (65%) as a result of repeated manual lifting processes. Participants of the intervention showed a more ergonomic movement initiated by a more functional cognitive representation in long term memory. We suggest that especially this group of employees, with...

The review of methodological problems (confounding factors) of gait analysis in intervention studies with seniors is underrepresented. This study focusses on two common problems of gait analysis under single-task (ST) and dual-task (DT) conditions (visual verbal Stroop test): (1) reproducibility of walking variables and (2) the effects of gait velocity, gender and age on peak plantar pressure to identify confounding effects on relevant outcome parameters. The participants (N = 86, 71.9 ± 4.6 years) were divided into a (1) reproducibility (n = 28) and an (2) outcome parameter group (n = 58). Gait kinematics (step length; cadence) and kinetics (peak plantar pressure under heel, midfoot and forefoot) were analyzed walking barefoot on a treadmill (100 Hz) at self-selected speed for the reproducibility and at two different speeds (v = 3.5; 4.5 km/h) for outcome parameters. ICC analysis combined with the repeatability coefficient and SEM calculation, an ANOVA with repeated measurements and determination of effect sizes (η p(2) ) as well as a partial correlation analyses with body mass were done. The reproducibility of the walking variables under ST and DT conditions was excellent with ICC values of .67 to .99. The SEM and CR results as presented in Table 2 support these findings for some of the parameters. Plantar pressure values were influenced by gait velocity but less by age and gender. For DT walking the differences between preferred and fixed gait speed have to be controlled to assign the DT effects. Effects of intervention studies should be carefully interpreted regarding the absolute reproducibility.

Wollesen, B., H. Lex, & K. Mattes. 2009.“Änderungen des Bewegungsverhaltens zur prävention von Rückenleiden”, in: D. Alfermann, & I. Pfeffer (Eds.), Jahrestagung der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Sportpsychologie, 188. Hamburg: Czwalina, 162.»»

Introduction: This investigation examined the effects of two training programs on blood pressure regulation, body fat percentage, and balancing performance with regards to primary preventive effects and fall prevention in a unisex group of seniors. Individual parameters of blood pressure regulation and body fat percentage can be considered in- dicative of circulation performance and can also ultimately be used to assess the risk of heart disease(1). Balanc- ing performance can be seen as indicative of the quality of balancing abilities. We considered that balance and co-ordination training (B&C) improves balance more than Nordic Walking (NW) and NW has more benefit on cardio- vascular fitness than B&C and reduces body fat percent- age. Methods: N=133 seniors with an average age of 65 were formed into three random groups which took part in a twelve weeks program (one 60min session per week) of balance and co-ordination training (B&C) or Nordic Walking (NW) respectively and in a contr...

Kurzzusammenfassung Die demografische Entwicklung führt zu einer überproportionalen Anzahl Hochaltriger in unserer Gesellschaft. Diese Zielgruppe mit altersphysiologisch bedingten Veränderungen der Mobilität und Kognition benötigt Produkte, die den Personen-und Alltagsanforderungen sowie individuellen Bedürfnissen gerecht werden. Besonders Produkte, die in einer engen Interaktion mit der älteren Person stehen, müssen gezielt die Fähigkeiten und das Leistungsvermögen dieser ansprechen, auf diese reagieren und eine sinnvolle Unterstützung zum Erhalt bestehender Ressourcen darstellen. Mögliche Wege diese spezifischen Anforderungen und Bedürfnisse in Kooperation mit bewegungs-und sozialwissenschaftlichen Kooperationspartnern aufzunehmen und in den Produktentwicklungsprozess zu integrieren, werden im folgenden Beitrag diskutiert. Abstract The demographic development leads to an increasing number of very old persons in our society. This group with physiological age-related changes in cogn...