Study protocol and overview of the Kasama Study: Creating a comprehensive, community-based system for preventive nursing care and supporting successful aging

Abstract

This study protocol introduces the Kasama Study, a mid-sized longitudinal study of health, fitness, and physical activity in older people. The study is a challenging research project that discusses the future of the system for preventive nursing care and for supporting successful aging in Japan. In May 2008, we began the Kasama Study with an exercise program of preventive nursing care for community-dwelling older adults. As of March 2016, we have conducted six study projects: 1) the Kasama health checkup for longevity, 2) an all-round exercise class, 3) the volunteer and the circle, 4) an exercise class for men only, 5) an exercise class for improving cognitive and physical function, and 6) the Kasama Iki-iki checklist survey. We describe each project in detail in the present study protocol. Keywords : Kasama Study, community-dwelling older adults, community-based intervention, community-based health promotion What is the Kasama Study?Launched at Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, in May 2008, the Kasama Study is a mid-sized longitudinal study of health, fitness, and physical activity in older people. The study aims to create a comprehensive, community-based system for preventive nursing care and supporting successful aging (Fig. 1). In addition to research, it has been acknowledged that local communities require social contribution activities conducted by universities, including providing instructions for a variety of exercise trainings for successful aging. Therefore, the Kasama Study can be characterized as a field of practice in which not only research, but also education and social contribution activities are simultaneously conducted.Before beginning the Kasama Study, the authors illustrated Fig. 2 to explain the hypotheses that the study should demonstrate. Certainly, the study's ultimate goal is to extend healthy life expectancy, which is clearly influenced not only by medical variables, but also by physical, psychological, and cognitive functions. For example, higher levels of walking ability and lower extremity muscle function are undoubtedly associated with a longer healthy life expectancy. To provide a hypothetical example, we ask how an individual can acquire higher-level physical functions. The answer may be by maintaining a high level of physical activity by frequently going outdoors, at least for the last few years. We can also ask how that individual is able to maintain a higher level of physical activity. actions and relationships. The above description, however, has focused only on personal factors, but investigating the relationship of health and fitness with environmental factors, such as the geographical environment and social capital, is also necessary.The Kasama Study is a challenging research project that tests the above hypotheses comprehensively by having young researchers, many under 30 years of age, conduct various types of surveys based on their individual research themes that are in accordance with the Kasama Study's goals. In this review, therefore, we describe the de...

Combined effect of daily physical activity and social relationships on sleep disorder among older adults: cross-sectional and longitudinal study based on data from the Kasama study

“…Both Studies 1 and 2 were based on data from the Kasama Study, which was a community-based cohort study conducted in Japan between 2011 and 2019 [ 24 ]. Participants for each year of the study were randomly selected from the Basic Resident Register using the following eligibility criteria: (1) aged 65 years or older, (2) not a recipient of long-term care insurance, and (3) living in Kasama City, Japan.…”

Change in hand dexterity and habitual gait speed reflects cognitive decline over time in healthy older adults: a longitudinal study

“…This study included participants of the cohort study known as the “Kasama study.” The detail of the Kasama study was described previously 13 ) . Briefly, the Kasama study includes follow-up and new participants aged ≥65 without long-term care insurance.…”

Associations between exercising in a group and physical and cognitive functions in community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study using data from the Kasama Study

“…This cross-sectional study was based on data from the Kasama Study, which has been conducted annually since 2009 in Kasama City in rural Japan 17 ) . In the Kasama Study, older adults (aged 65 years and older) without a certification of long-term care need 18 ) were randomly sampled and invited to receive a health checkup at one of the study sites.…”