Psychophysical Health Factors and Its Correlations in Elderly Wheelchair Users Who Live in Nursing Homes

Natalia Wołoszyn, Joanna Grzegorczyk, Agnieszka Wiśniowska-Szurlej, Justyna Kilian and Andrzej Kwolek
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Natalia Wołoszyn: Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland
Joanna Grzegorczyk: Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland
Agnieszka Wiśniowska-Szurlej: Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland
Justyna Kilian: Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland
Andrzej Kwolek: Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: Background: The aging is a multi-faceted process comprising both—the physical and mental alterations. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the variables affecting the psychophysical state of the elderly people using wheelchairs and living in nursing homes (NH). Methods: 165 older wheelchair users were included in the study after meeting the inclusion criteria and expressing written consent. The assessment involved cognitive functioning, depression, body balance and flexibility, lung capacity and upper limbs dexterity, strenght and endurance. The results showed negative correlation between depression and balance, upper limb dexterity and endurance and shoulder flexion. A positive correlation between cognitive functioning and balance, upper limb dexterity, strenght and endurance, lung capacity and joint mobility was determined. Also, the study proved positive correlation between daily functioning and functional fitness, muscle strength and endurance, body flexibility, joint mobility. The regression analysis showed that better scores in balance test and joint mobility implied with higher scores in cognitive functioning. The most important determinants of functional fitness were balance, hand grip strenght and joint mobility. Conclusion: The future study should be focused on developing interventions aimed at senior wheelchair users living in NHs to prevent the deterioration of their mental and physical fitness.

Keywords: elderly; physical health; mental health; wheelchair user; nursing homes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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