Investigation of the effect of neurocognitive level on physical performance, activities of daily living and depression level in individuals living in nursing home

Background and Aim: In a group living in an isolated environment such as a nursing home, it is important to assess cognitive performance. The use of a computer based-neurocognitive test battery to measure cognitive assessments in a comprehensive, practical and reliable manner is becoming increasingly common. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive components and physical performance, activities of daily living, depression level and hand grip strength in adults living in a nursing home. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 39 adult individuals (age mean ± standard deviation: 73.74±6.09 years; male/female: 35/4) living in nursing homes in Edirne province. The components of the Neurocognitive test battery were neurocognitive index, composite memory, verbal memory, visual memory, psychomotor speed, reaction time, complex attention, cognitive flexibility, processing speed, executive function, simple attention, motor speed, social acuity, nonverbal reasoning, sustained attention and working memory. Timed Up and Go Test and Berg Balance Scale were used for physical performance; Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale for activities of daily living; Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form for depression and hand grip dynamometer for hand grip strength. Correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between cognitive assessment results and other variables in nursing home residents. In addition, a regression model was created from the neurocognitive test battery subcomponents and other variables to analyze the factors affecting their cognitive performance. Results: According to the findings, there was a negative correlation between visual memory test, continuous performance test, perception of emotions test and four-part continuous performance test and 'Timed get up and walk test' (r=-0.356; r=-0.532; r=-0.402; r=-0.442; p<0.05, respectively). In the perception of emotions test, there is a positive correlation between 'Negative emotion-response duration' and 'Timed up and walk test' (r=0.693; p<0.05). There is a positive correlation between visual memory test, finger tapping test and continuous performance test and 'Berg balance scale' (r=0.518; r=0.350; r=0.412; p<0.05, respectively). Stroop test, continuous performance test and four-part continuous performance test showed a positive correlation with 'Activities of daily living scale' (r=0.332; r=0.440; r=0.479; p<0.05). There is a negative correlation between 'Negative emotion-response duration' and 'Activities of daily living scale' in the perception of emotions test (r=-0.762; p<0.05). There is a positive relationship between the continuous performance test and right and left hand grip strength (r=0.416; r=0.444; p<0.05). According to the results of regression analysis, the model is significantly explained by depression, right hand grip strength and balance parameters (R²: 0.234; 0.231; 0.180; p<0.05). Conclusion: Some of the cognitive performance parameters of nursing home residents were found to be associated with physical performance, activities of daily living, grip strength and depression level. Accordingly, it is recommended to pay attention to the assessment of cognitive performance of individuals living in nursing homes. Further studies may develop approaches on rehabilitation approaches to increase the cognitive performance of individuals living in nursing homes. Keywords: Nursing home, cognitive assessment, physical performance, activities of daily living, depression