There has been substantial recent interest in studying the relationships among aging, cognition, and tasks of daily living. Our past work focused in part on developing a model demonstrating the association of age and cognition to crash risk among older drivers. Both cognitive and physical functions deteriorate in later life for many individuals, and we have demonstrated that these declines contribute to concomitant declines in crash risk, other indices of mobility, and the performance of everyday activities that are crucial to independent living. Until quite recently, relatively little research has been done to aid in the development of interventions designed to prevent, delay, or reverse the functional disabilities that disproportionately affect adults over 65 years of age. The proposed research will build upon recent evidence provided by our laboratory and by independent investigators demonstrating that a specific cognitive intervention (speed of processing training) and an exercise intervention (aerobic and strength training) can improve cognitive and everyday functioning as well as mobility in the later years of life.
The aims of the proposed research are to further examine the effects of speed of processing training on the cognitive and functional abilities of older adults and to evaluate the extent to which combining this training protocol with an exercise training program increases the benefits of speed of processing training alone. The study also will assess the durability of cognitive and functional gains achieved through each intervention alone and in combination. Enhancement of both physical mobility and cognitive functions into older age may help individuals maintain their personal autonomy by prolonging their abilities to navigate throughout the environment and successfully perform key instrumental activities of daily living. Results of this study can be used to inform the design of clinic-based and home-based interventions for delaying or reversing the physical and cognitive declines that accompany normal aging. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG005739-21
Application #
7280789
Study Section
Cognition and Perception Study Section (CP)
Program Officer
King, Jonathan W
Project Start
1985-08-01
Project End
2011-07-31
Budget Start
2007-08-01
Budget End
2008-07-31
Support Year
21
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$574,325
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
063690705
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
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Edwards, Jerri D; Lister, Jennifer J; Lin, Frank R et al. (2017) Association of Hearing Impairment and Subsequent Driving Mobility in Older Adults. Gerontologist 57:767-775
Brewster, Glenna S; Peterson, Lindsay; Roker, Rosalyn et al. (2017) Depressive Symptoms, Cognition, and Everyday Function Among Community-Residing Older Adults. J Aging Health 29:367-388
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Aust, Frederik; Edwards, Jerri D (2016) Incremental validity of Useful Field of View subtests for the prediction of instrumental activities of daily living. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 38:497-515
McManus, Benjamin; Cox, Molly K; Vance, David E et al. (2015) Predicting Motor Vehicle Collisions in a Driving Simulator in Young Adults Using the Useful Field of View Assessment. Traffic Inj Prev 16:818-23
Harrison Bush, Aryn L; Lister, Jennifer J; Lin, Frank R et al. (2015) Peripheral Hearing and Cognition: Evidence From the Staying Keen in Later Life (SKILL) Study. Ear Hear 36:395-407
Stavrinos, Despina; Garner, Annie A; Franklin, Crystal A et al. (2015) Distracted Driving in Teens With and Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Pediatr Nurs 30:e183-91
Sharpe, Chantelle; Holup, Amanda A; Hansen, Kevin E et al. (2014) Does Self-Efficacy Affect Responsiveness to Cognitive Speed of Processing Training? J Aging Health 26:786-806
Elliott, Amanda F; O'Connor, Melissa L; Edwards, Jerri D (2014) Cognitive speed of processing training in older adults with visual impairments. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 34:509-18

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