The Impact of Physical Environment on the Cognitive Function of the Elderly: A Scoping Review of Cohort Studies

Kim, Jihye; Lee, Jiyeong; Park, Jihye; Kim, Hakseong; Yoo, In-Gyu

doi:10.1177/10848223211058826

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(69 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Many studies have shown significant correlations between physical activity, dietary behavior, sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption, and other lifestyle factors and the risk of cognitive decline and dementia [ 8 – 10 ]. In addition, research on the relationship between environmental factors and cognitive function in older adults has become an increasing focus of scholarly attention in recent years, particularly as the neighborhood built environment may affect cognitive function in older adults [ 11 , 12 ]. Previous studies have pointed out that the built environment plays an important role in promoting healthy aging [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of neighborhood built environment on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review

Song,

Liu,

Bai

et al. 2024

BMC Geriatr

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background In the background of an aging population, the risk of cognitive impairment in the older population is prominent. Exposure to complex neighborhood built environments may be beneficial to the cognitive health of older adults, and the purpose of this study was to systematically review the scientific evidence on the effects of neighborhood built environments on cognitive function in older adults. Methods Keywords and references were searched in Web of Science, Pubmed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. Studies examining the relationship between the built environment and cognitive function in older adults were included. The neighborhood built environment as an independent variable was classified according to seven aspects: density, design, diversity, destination accessibility, public transportation distance, blue/green space, and built environment quality. The cognitive function as the dependent variable was classified according to overall cognitive function, domain-specific cognitive function, and incidence of dementia. The quality of the included literature was assessed using the National Institutes of Health's Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Study Quality Assessment Tool. Results A total of 56 studies were included that met the inclusion criteria, including 31 cross-sectional studies, 23 longitudinal studies, 1 cross-sectional study design combined with a case-control design, and 1 longitudinal study design combined with a case-control design. Most of the studies reviewed indicate that the built environment factors that were positively associated with cognitive function in older adults were population density, street connectivity, walkability, number of public transportation stops around the residence, land use mix, neighborhood resources, green space, and quality of the neighborhood built environment. Built environment factors that were negatively associated with cognitive function in older adults were street integration, distance from residence to main road. The relationship between residential density, destination accessibility, and blue space with cognitive function in older adults needs to be further explored. Conclusion Preliminary evidence suggests an association between the neighborhood built environment and cognitive function in older adults. The causal relationship between the built environment and cognitive function can be further explored in the future using standardized and combined subjective and objective assessment methods, and longitudinal or quasi-experimental study designs. For public health interventions on the cognitive health of older adults, it is recommended that relevant authorities include the neighborhood built environment in their intervention programs.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of neighborhood built environment on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review

Song,

Liu,

Bai

et al. 2024

BMC Geriatr

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Many studies have shown signi cant correlations between physical activity, dietary behavior, sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption, and other lifestyle factors and the risk of cognitive decline and dementia [8][9][10]. In addition, research on the relationship between environmental factors and cognitive function in older adults has become an increasing focus of scholarly attention in recent years, particularly as the neighborhood built environment may affect cognitive function in older adults [11,12]. Previous studies have pointed out that the built environment plays an important role in promoting healthy aging [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of neighborhood built environment on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review

Song,

Bai,

2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background With an increasingly aging population, older adults are at increased risk for cognitive impairment. Exposure to complex neighborhood built environments may be beneficial to the cognitive health of older adults, and the purpose of this study was to systematically review the scientific evidence on the effects of neighborhood built environments on cognitive function in older adults. Methods Keywords and references were searched in Web of Science, Pubmed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. Studies examining the relationship between the built environment and cognitive function in older adults were included. The neighborhood built environment as an independent variable was classified according to seven aspects: density, design, diversity, destination accessibility, public transportation distance, blue-green space, and built environment quality. The cognitive function as the dependent variable was classified according to overall cognitive function, domain-specific cognitive function, and incidence of dementia. The quality of the included literature was assessed using the National Institutes of Health's Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Study Quality Assessment Tool. Results A total of 56 studies were included that met the inclusion criteria, including 31 cross-sectional studies, 23 longitudinal studies, 1 case-control study, and 1 longitudinal study design combined with a case-control design. Most of the studies reviewed indicate that the built environment factors that were positively associated with cognitive function in older adults were population density, street connectivity, walkability, number of public transportation stops around the residence, land use mix, neighborhood resources, green space, and quality of the neighborhood built environment. Built environment factors that were negatively associated with cognitive function in older adults were street integration, distance from residence to main road. The relationship between residential density, destination accessibility, and blue space with cognitive function in older adults needs to be further explored. Conclusion Preliminary evidence suggests an association between the neighborhood built environment and cognitive function in older adults. The causal relationship between the built environment and cognitive function can be further explored in the future using standardized and combined subjective and objective assessment methods, and longitudinal or quasi-experimental study designs. For public health interventions on the cognitive health of older adults, it is recommended that relevant authorities include the neighborhood built environment in their intervention programs.

show abstract

The Impact of Physical Environment on the Cognitive Function of the Elderly: A Scoping Review of Cohort Studies

Cited by 2 publications

References 31 publications

Effects of neighborhood built environment on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review

Effects of neighborhood built environment on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review

Effects of neighborhood built environment on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About