Three field observational studies were conducted to examine the influence of a front seat car passenger (model) seat belt usage/non-usage on driver seat belt usage. In addition, the effects of driving location (study 1 and 2), time of day (study 1), day of week (study 2) and gender (study 3) were also examined. The results showed an overall seat belt use rate of about 70%, typical for New York State. All three studies showed that driver seat belt usage was significantly related to the front seat passenger seat belt rate. When the front-seat passenger wore the seat belt, 77% (79.4%-study 2, 87.1%-study 3) of the drivers wore the seat belt; when the front seat passenger did not wear the seat belt, only 44% (49.0%-study 2, 38.4%-study 3) of the drivers wore the seat belt. Results failed to show any significant effects of time of the day or day of week, but showed the expected significant effect of driving location (study 2). No overall main effect of gender on modeling was obtained, though interesting specific results were obtained. These studies extend earlier experimental work on the effects of modeling on seat belt usage, and confirm that car occupant seat belt behavior significantly impacts the other occupant's seat belt usage.
Frailty, an age-related decline in homeostatic reserves, markedly proceeded during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. To continuously assess frailty status, a remote system is urgently required. We aimed to co-design/co-develop an online frailty check (FC) application alongside FC supporters who were facilitators in a pre-existing onsite FC program. The online FC included a screening measurement for sarcopenia and an 11-item questionnaire covering dietary, physical, and social behaviors. Using prototype applications, 55 opinions obtained from 32 FC supporters (median 74.0 years) were categorized and reflected refinement. Regarding the self-efficacy of FC supporters, a significant increase in social positioning was seen after the mock test (P=.031). For FC supporters and participants, the average system usability scale (SUS) score was 70.2±10.3 points, which was “marginally high” for acceptability and “good” for the adjective range. Multiple regression analysis showed that the SUS score was significantly correlated with online-onsite reliability but not online communication, even after adjusting by age, sex, education level, and ICT proficiency (b=0.400, 95% CI: 0.243-1.951, P=.013). Additionally, a significant association between onsite and online FC scores was observed (R=0.670, P=.001). Our online FC application was evaluated to be a valuable tool to practically assess frailty status remotely.
Active older adults in Japan participate in multiple social activities to be socially involved. However, physical limitation and decline in enthusiasm due to ageing decrease their participation. Diverse activities should be available at one place, close to older adult’s residence, to sustain social connections. A community space was launched at Toyoshikidai housing complex (Kashwia, Japan) in February 2018. The place offers about 25 activities per month. This research aimed to elucidate the relationship between activity type and motivation for participation, and study the effect of the community space on older adults’ social connection. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted targeting the attendees of community space (February 2020). Of attendees, 68% lived within 10-minutes walking distance to the community space (N=101). The activities were classified into craft, exercise, and music. The motivation for attending craft events were information exchange and relaxation, as was health maintenance for exercise events. Participating in group performance was the motivation to attend active music event, and casual gathering and network expansion was for passive music event. The frequency of social participation outside the community space was low in the group aged over 75 years. This group attended the activities at the community space more frequently than did the younger group. Differences in the number of social connections were not found. This result implies that older adults maintained their social connection by attending activities held at the community space. The diverse programs and close location of the community space might have contributed to the motivation of participation.
Frailty, an age-related decline in homeostatic reserves, markedly proceeded during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. To continuously assess frailty status, a remote system is urgently required. We aimed to co-design/co-develop an online frailty check (FC) application alongside FC supporters who were facilitators in a pre-existing onsite FC program. The online FC included a screening measurement for sarcopenia and an 11-item questionnaire covering dietary, physical, and social behaviors. Using prototype applications, 55 opinions obtained from 32 FC supporters (median 74.0 years) were categorized and reflected refinement. Regarding the self-efficacy of FC supporters, a significant increase in social positioning was seen after the mock test (P=.031). For FC supporters and participants, the average system usability scale (SUS) score was 70.2±10.3 points, which was “marginally high” for acceptability and “good” for the adjective range. Multiple regression analysis showed that the SUS score was significantly correlated with online-onsite reliability but not online communication, even after adjusting by age, sex, education level, and ICT proficiency (b=0.400, 95% CI: 0.243-1.951, P=.013). Additionally, a significant association between onsite and online FC scores was observed (R=0.670, P=.001). Our online FC application was evaluated to be a valuable tool to practically assess frailty status remotely.
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