JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS

Feeling healthy matters: comparing the moderating roles of multimorbidity and self-rated health in the link between loneliness and quality of life

2026-01-19T08:07:47+00:00

Background and aims. Loneliness is a significant psychosocial issue among middle-aged and older adults, negatively impacting quality of life (QoL). However, little is known about how different health measures – specifically objective (multimorbidity) and subjective (self-rated health, SRH) – moderate this association. This study investigates the moderating roles of multimorbidity and SRH in the loneliness-QoL relationship among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults in Malaysia.
Methods. This cross-sectional analysis used baseline data from the AGELESS study, involving 1,697 participants aged 55 and above. QoL was measured using the CASP-12 scale, covering control and autonomy, self-realization, and pleasure. Loneliness was assessed using the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Multimorbidity was defined as having two or more chronic conditions, while SRH was assessed via a single- item question and categorized as “good” or “poor”. Moderation effects were tested using Model 1 of the PROCESS Macro in SPSS (5,000 bootstraps), adjusting for demographics.
Results. Loneliness was significantly and negatively associated with total QoL and all three domains. Multimorbidity did not moderate this relationship but was independently linked to poorer QoL. In contrast, SRH significantly moderated the association between loneliness and total QoL, as well as the control and autonomy and self-realization domains. The negative effect of loneliness on QoL was stronger among those reporting “good” health. Contrary to our hypothesis, the negative effect of loneliness on QoL was stronger among those reporting “good” health. Sensitivity analyses using the ordinal SRH scale confirmed these results.
Conclusions. Subjective health perception shapes how loneliness affects QoL. Middle-aged and older adults with better SRH may be more vulnerable, underscoring the need for person-centered interventions.

Feasibility and preliminary effects of music-enhanced calisthenic exercise in healthy sedentary older adults: a randomized controlled pilot study

2026-01-19T08:07:47+00:00

Objective. Physical inactivity in older adults is associated with decreased mobility, functional decline, and reduced quality of life. Music may enhance exercise engagement and adherence. This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility of a music-enhanced calisthenic exercise program in residential care homes and explored its preliminary effects on functional and psychosocial outcomes.
Methods. Thirty-one healthy, sedentary older adults (mean age = 74.4 ± 5.9 years) were randomly assigned to a Calisthenic Exercise Group (CEG), a Music-Enhanced Calisthenic Exercise Group (MCEG), or a Control Group (CG). Intervention groups completed 16 supervised sessions over 8 weeks. The MCEG performed exercises with rhythmic music. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, adherence, and adverse events. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG), 30-Second Sit-to-Stand test, and Joint Position Sense test; health-related quality of life was measured using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP).
Results. Recruitment was 96.9%, retention 100%, and adherence 87.5%. No adverse events occurred. Both intervention groups improved significantly compared with the CG (p = 0.001), with larger effects in the MCEG, particularly in proprioception (p = 0.002, d = 1.46). TUG scores improved by 17% (p = 0.004, d = 0.26).
Conclusions. Music-enhanced calisthenic exercise was feasible, safe, and well tolerated. Preliminary findings indicate benefits for physical function and health-related quality of life, supporting the need for larger trials. Trial Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06973538 (retrospectively registered)

Effects of multicomponent exercises on muscle strength and balance in frail older: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

2026-01-19T08:07:47+00:00

Objective. To analyze the effects of multicomponent exercises on muscle strength and balance in frail older individuals.
Methods. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the PRISMA criteria. The databases used were MEDLINE (via PubMed), SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, and SciELO. Eligible RCTs in this study were evaluated using Rob 2, and TESTEX was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies and reports. RevMan was used to analyze the meta-analysis and the GRADE tool to assess the level of evidence.
Results. A total of 1538 publications were found and after using the selection criteria, 13 RCTs were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The assessment instruments used to assess balance were the Time Up Go, Dynamic Sitting Balance and Berg Balance Scale, and for muscle strength the handgrip test and knee flexion and extension strength. In the analysis of the balance variable, the estimated mean SMD was 0.43, [-0.18 to 1.03], p = 0.17, I² = 92%. In the variable muscular strength, the estimated mean SMD was 0.27 [0.12 to 0.42], p = 0.0003, I² = 41%.
Conclusions. This meta-analysis found that multicomponent exercises improve muscular strength but do not improve balance in frail older individuals.

Iron deficiency in the elderly. Evidences from different clinical settings and efficacy of iron supplementation on outcomes

2026-01-19T12:23:36+00:00

Iron deficiency (ID) is highly prevalent in older adults and remains frequently underdiagnosed despite its relevant prognostic impact. ID may be absolute or functional and is observed across multiple geriatric clinical settings, including heart failure, chronic kidney disease, malnutrition, fragility fractures and long-term care facilities. Beyond anaemia, ID contributes to impaired mitochondrial function, reduced exercise capacity, frailty, cognitive and functional decline, increased hospitalizations and mortality. In heart failure and CKD, ID – irrespective of haemoglobin – worsens clinical outcomes. Systematic assessment of iron status should be integrated into geriatric evaluation. Oral iron therapy is often limited by poor tolerance and hepcidin-mediated malabsorption, whereas intravenous formulations show greater efficacy in selected patients. Early identification and targeted correction of ID may improve symptoms, quality of life and functional recovery in elderly populations, although further large trials in very old and frail subjects are needed.