Cognitive training for elderly patients with early Alzheimer’s disease in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: A pilot study

BACKGROUND Alzheimer’s disease(AD)influences the social and economic quality of life of older adult patients and their families.AIM To explore the efficacy of cognitive training in clinical nursing for patients with early AD residing in the plateau area.METHODS This pilot study was conducted in patients with early AD treated in the Geriatric Department of the Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital between August 2019 and March 2021.The patients were divided into a cognitive training group and a conventional nursing group using the random number table method.Patients in the conventional nursing group received conventional nursing,whereas the patients in the cognitive training group received the new nursing intervention.The mini-mental state examination(MMSE)and activities of daily living(ADL)scales were used to compare the cognitive ability and daily activities,respectively,between the two groups before and after the intervention.RESULTS Sixty patients were enrolled in this study,with 30 patients in the cognitive training group and conventional nursing group,respectively.The MMSE and ADL scores were significantly higher in the cognitive training group than in the conventional nursing group after the intervention(MMSE:25.11±2.02 vs 22.26±1.23,P=0.032;ADL:68.72±4.86 vs 60.16±2.27,P=0.018).CONCLUSION The application of cognitive training in clinical nursing for patients with early AD could improve both their cognitive ability and ADL.This method could be applied in clinical practice to manage cognitive dysfunction in patients with early AD.

Comparison of the prevalence of sarcopenia in geriatric patients in Xining based on three different diagnostic criteria

BACKGROUND Sarcopenia is an age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass,which depends on an assessment of muscle strength and muscle mass.The diagnostic definition of sarcopenia varies by region.AIM To determine the optimal diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia in a plateau population.Cut off values for the components of diagnostic algorithms for sarcopenia in plateau populations should consider altitude.METHODS One hundred and fifty subjects aged>60 years attending a tertiary comprehensive hospital in the city of Xining(elevation:2260 m)between October and December 2018 were enrolled.Handgrip strength,muscle mass,and physical performance were measured.Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia(AWGS)2019 criteria,Beijing criteria,and Lasha criteria.RESULTS Across diagnostic criteria,there were significant differences in the prevalence of sarcopenia in the overall population and stratified by gender.The prevalence of sarcopenia measured by the AWGS 2019 or Lasha criteria was significantly higher in female compared to male subjects.In males,the prevalence of sarcopenia measured by the Beijing criteria was significantly higher in subjects who identified as Han compared to Minority.In females,there were no significant differences in the prevalence of sarcopenia by ethnicity according to any criteria.CONCLUSION The Lasha criteria provided a lower prevalence of sarcopenia(males,8.7%;females,22.41%;overall,14%)and were able to differentiate between males and females.The Lasha criteria are likely most appropriate for detection of sarcopenia in this plateau population.We recommend the Lasha criteria for detection of sarcopenia in Xining.