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Associations between activity fragmentation and subjective memory complaints in middle-aged and older adults
del Pozo Cruz, Borja del Pozo-Cruz, Jesus
del Pozo Cruz, Borja
del Pozo-Cruz, Jesus
Abstract
Introduction
Subjective memory complaints (SMC) are often considered a clinical marker of mild cognitive impairment and dementia and could manifest as shortening of activity bouts throughout the day causing daily activity to accumulate in a more fragmented pattern. In the current study we explored the association between activity fragmentation and SMC in middle-aged and older adults.
Methods
We used data from 3820 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2006) with valid accelerometer SMC data. The analyses were conducted in 2020. To calculate activity fragmentation, an active-to-sedentary transition probability was calculated as the number of physical activity bouts (i.e., consecutive minutes registering 100+ counts/min) divided by the total sum of minutes spent in physical activity. A multivariable ordinal logistic regression model was conducted to examine the association between activity fragmentation (scaled) and SMC (yes/no).
Results
Higher activity fragmentation was associated with an increased likelihood of self-reported SMC in the study population (Odd Ratio [95% Confidence Interval] = 1.335 [1.067, 1.669]; Average Marginal Effect [95%CI] = 0.029 [0.006, 0.052]; p-value = 0.021). This association was independent of total physical activity volume.
Conclusions
The findings provide support that studying fragmented activity patterns can be useful in identifying those at risk for SMC, over and above total volume of physical activity. Future longitudinal studies are required to establish causality and the temporal order of the observed association. Nevertheless, activity fragmentation in middle-aged and older adults may reflect pre-clinical signs of future neurodegenerative processes indicating potential targets for modification through intervention.
Keywords
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Experimental Gerontology
Book
Volume
148
Issue
Page Range
1-4
Article Number
Article 111288
ACU Department
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled