Browsing by Author "Tomsone, Signe"
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Item Aerobic capacity for breast cancer survivors 2 to 3 years after breast surgery(EDP Sciences, 2019-01-01) Ceseiko, Rudolfs; Tomsone, Signe; Majevska, Laura; Vetra, Aivars; Berķis, Uldis; Vilka, Lolita; Department of Rehabilitation; Rehabilitācijas fakultāteBreast cancer treatment may cause unfavourable side effects that directly or indirectly influence the cardio-respiratory capacity among breast cancer survivors, thus affecting physical functioning and the quality of life. Mounting evidence supports that Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease, and low VO2max is associated with increased mortality from breast cancer. The aim of the study was to measure cardio-respiratory fitness in breast cancer survivors and determine to what extent VO2max levels are lower compared with healthy counterparts from population. The study included 11 women with a history of breast cancer, the average time after breast surgery being 2–3 years. Aerobic capacity was determined by the Cardiopulmonary exercise test. HUNT3 study was used to define aerobic capacity for healthy women in population. Mean Age for participatns 50 ± 4 years (M ± SD). The comparison of the results from Cardiopulmonary exercise test indicated that breast cancer survivors display VO2max values significantly lower 27.1 ml/kg/min (27%) than healthy counterparts from population, i.e., 34.4 ml/kg/min (P = 0.001). Recognizing the increasing number of breast cancer patients worldwide and the physical reconditioning among the survivors, aerobic exercise training is suitable for improving cardio-respiratory health, functionality, and quality of life.Item Aspects of home and healthy ageing among very old Europeans: a Latvian perspective(2009) Tomsone, SigneItem Aspects of Home and Healthy Ageing Among Very old Europeans: a Latvian Perspective. Doctoral Thesis(Rīga Stradiņš University, 2010) Tomsone, Signe; Zaļkalns, JānisItem Aspects of Home and Healthy Ageing Among Very old Europeans: a Latvian Perspective. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis(Rīga Stradiņš University, 2010) Tomsone, Signe; Zaļkalns, JānisItem Concept Protocol for Developing a DAid® Smart Socks-Based Biofeedback System : Enhancing Injury Prevention in Football Through Real-Time Biomechanical Monitoring and Mixed Reality Feedback(2025-02-04) Davidoviča, Anna; Semjonova, Guna; Kamynina, Lydia; Lancere, Linda; Jonāte, Alise; Tomsone, Signe; Katashevs, Aleksejs; Okss, Aleksandrs; Davidovičs, Sergejs; Department of RehabilitationFootball players, particularly in youth leagues, face a high risk of lower limb injuries due to improper movement patterns. While programs like FIFA 11+ help reduce injuries, they lack real-time, personalized feedback for biomechanical correction. This concept protocol outlines the development of a DAid® smart socks-based biofeedback system that integrates biomechanical monitoring with mixed reality (MR) feedback to enhance injury prevention. The DAid® smart socks, equipped with pressure sensors and inertial measurement units (IMUs), track plantar pressure distribution and the center of pressure (COP). Real-time feedback is delivered via a Meta Quest 3 MR headset, enabling athletes to adjust movement patterns instantly. This protocol establishes a framework for evaluating the system’s feasibility and effectiveness in optimizing biomechanics and reducing injury risks. By combining wearable technology with MR-based feedback, this study advances injury prevention strategies, with potential applications in rehabilitation and performance training.Item Consequences of chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age - A scoping review(2019-11-01) Maresova, Petra; Javanmardi, Ehsan; Barakovic, Sabina; Barakovic Husic, Jasmina; Tomsone, Signe; Krejcar, Ondrej; Kuca, Kamil; Rehabilitācijas fakultāteBackground: The phenomenon of the increasing number of ageing people in the world is arguably the most significant economic, health and social challenge that we face today. Additionally, one of the major epidemiologic trends of current times is the increase in chronic and degenerative diseases. This paper tries to deliver a more up to date overview of chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age and provide a more detailed outlook on the research that has gone into this field. Methods: First, challenges for seniors, including chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age, are specified. Second, a review of seniors' needs and concerns is performed. Finally, solutions that can improve seniors' quality of life are discussed. Publications obtained from the following databases are used in this scoping review: Web of Science, PubMed, and Science Direct. Four independent reviewers screened the identified records and selected relevant publications published from 2010 to 2017. A total of 1916 publications were selected. In all, 52 papers were selected based on abstract content. For further processing, 21 full papers were screened." Results: The results indicate disabilities as a major problem associated with seniors' activities of daily living dependence. We founded seven categories of different conditions - psychological problems, difficulties in mobility, poor cognitive function, falls and incidents, wounds and injuries, undernutrition, and communication problems. In order to minimize ageing consequences, some areas require more attention, such as education and training; technological tools; government support and welfare systems; early diagnosis of undernutrition, cognitive impairment, and other diseases; communication solutions; mobility solutions; and social contributions. Conclusions: This scoping review supports the view on chronic diseases in old age as a complex issue. To prevent the consequences of chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age related problems demands multicomponent interventions. Early recognition of problems leading to disability and activities of daily living (ADL) dependence should be one of essential components of such interventions.Item Construction of healthy aging index from two different datasets(2023) Miķelsone, Madara; Reine, Ieva; Tomsone, Signe; Guðmundsson, Helgi; Ivanovs, Andrejs; Guðmundsson, Halldór S.; Statistics Unit; Rehabilitācijas fakultāteIntroduction: The aging population presents both unique challenges and opportunities for societies around the world. To develop an effective healthy aging strategy, a tool for assessing aging process is needed. Numerous attempts to quantify the aging process have been made. However, there is still a challenge in developing and choosing a good enough score that is easy to apply, has a construct of variables that are available in most nationwide surveys for comparable results, and at the same time reflects the aging process of older individuals. The purpose of this study is to present our approach to construct a comparable Healthy Aging Index (HAI). Materials and methods: In Latvia, data from Wave 8 of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), involving 420 respondents, were used. For comparative analysis, data from a HL20 study on the health and wellbeing of the older adults in Iceland, which included 1,033 respondents, were used. Results: For Latvia, 13 items were selected, and for Iceland, nine items were selected. We constructed the HAI with four similar subscales for both countries—“Autonomy,” “Health,” “Wellbeing,” and “Activities,” and an additional subscale “Cognitive” for Latvia. We found matching items in all four subscales. For the Autonomy subscale, they were related to difficulties with everyday and daily tasks. In the Health subscale, the only matching item was self-rated physical health. One item related to loneliness was found for the Wellbeing subscale and one item related to social participation for the Activities subscale. Discussion: In our study, we found evidence for the successful construction of a HAI in two different datasets. The strength of our construct lies in the use of data from one of the largest social science panel studies in Europe (SHARE). As we were able to apply the construct to the Icelandic study, we believe that items presented in our approach are available in other population-based studies as well, and, therefore, can be easily replicated by others. By examining the existing SHARE data, HAI could be used to analyze long-term changes and could provide a foundation for comparing and monitoring the evolution of aging over time as well as comparing the aging process across societies. This is required for the authorities to conduct further analyses, proposals, and action plans in support of healthy aging.Item Cross-national user priorities for housing provision and accessibility — Findings from the European innovage project(2015-03-02) Haak, Maria; Slaug, Björn; Oswald, Frank; Schmidt, Steven M.; Rimland, Joseph M.; Tomsone, Signe; Ladö, Thomas; Svensson, Torbjörn; Iwarsson, Susanne; Department of RehabilitationTo develop an innovative information and communication technology (ICT) tool intended to help older people in their search for optimal housing solutions, a first step in the development process is to gain knowledge from the intended users. Thus the aim of this study was to deepen the knowledge about needs and expectations about housing options as expressed and prioritized by older people, people ageing with disabilities and professionals. A participatory design focus was adopted; 26 people with a range of functional limitations representing the user perspective and 15 professionals with a variety of backgrounds, participated in research circles that were conducted in four European countries. An additional 20 experts were invited as guests to the different research circle meetings. Three themes illustrating cross-national user priorities for housing provision and accessibility were identified: “Information barrier: accessible housing”, “Information barrier: housing adaptation benefits”, and “Cost barrier: housing adaptations”. In conclusion, early user involvement and identification of cross-national differences in priorities and housing options will strengthen the development of a user-friendly ICT tool that can empower older people and people with disabilities to be more active consumers regarding housing provision.Item Exploration of healthy ageing determinants in the Baltic States(Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2021-05-28) Miķelsone, Madara; Baltmane, Diāna; Reine, Ieva; Sniķere, Sigita; Ivanovs, Andrejs; Tomsone, Signe; Lubkina, Velta; Laganovska, Karīna; Kaupužs, Aivars; Statistics Unit; Rehabilitācijas fakultāteAccording to the WHO, healthy ageing is characterized by such interrelated determinants as intrinsic capacity, functional ability and environment. An individual's intrinsic capacity is a powerful predictor of the future ageing process and includes 5 areas - cognitive, psychological, sensory, locomotion and vitality. Exploration of these areas can provide necessary information for therapeutic and preventive actions that can be tailored to an individual's needs, priorities and values to support participation and quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare healthy ageing determinants of older individuals in the Baltic States. The research was based on the sample of older individuals (50 years and older) from wave 8 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) during the period from November 2019 to March 2020. The obtained results indicate a low level/poor results in such determinants as locomotion, sensory, vitality and functional ability (more than 50% of the respondents among the Baltic countries has poor health, various long-term illnesses, limitations in daily activities, suffer from moderate or severe pain, requires help to meet daily needs, etc.), has various behavioral risks, however has higher assessment of cognitive and psychological determinants.Item The "Free from housing accessibility problems" app(IOS Press, 2016) Jonsson, Oskar; Slaug, Björn; Haak, Maria; Mårtensson, Knut; Schmidt, Steven M.; Oswald, Frank; Rimland, Joseph M.; Tomsone, Signe; Svensson, Torbjörn; Iwarsson, Susanne; Swallow, David; Sandoval, Leonardo; Lewis, Andrew; Darzentas, Jenny; Petrie, Helen; Walsh, Tanja; Power, Christopher; Department of RehabilitationThe present study concerns the development of a computerized tool targeting housing accessibility issues. A user-centered approach involving professionals from the housing sector and senior citizens from four European countries resulted in a fully functional prototype of a mobile application (app) including an apartment database. The app raises awareness on housing accessibility and has the potential to support decision making and strengthen all citizens regardless of functional capacity to be more active in their endeavors for a satisfying housing solution. Further refinements and additional features are needed to enhance the potential benefits; they include addressing potential challenges facing senior citizens, developing interactive features that allow users to provide input and adapting to different national contexts to make the app applicable for the European market.Item Heavy Resistance Training in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Therapy(2020-06-01) Cešeiko, Rūdolfs; Thomsen, Simon Nørskov; Tomsone, Signe; Eglītis, Jānis; Vētra, Aivars; Srebnijs, Andrejs; Timofejevs, Mihails; Purmalis, Egīls; Wang, Eivind; Department of RehabilitationBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Adjuvant breast cancer therapy may reduce maximal muscle strength, muscle mass, and functional performance. Although maximal strength training (MST) has the potential to counteract this debilitating outcome and is shown to be superior to low- and moderate-intensity strength training, it is unknown if it can elicit effective adaptations in patients suffering treatment-induced adverse side effects. METHODS: Fifty-five newly diagnosed stage I to III breast cancer patients (49 ± 7 yr) scheduled for adjuvant therapy were randomized to MST or a control group. The MST group performed 4 × 4 repetitions of dynamic leg press at approximately 90% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) twice a week for 12 wk. RESULTS: In the MST group, improvements in 1RM (20% ± 8%; P < 0.001) were accompanied by improved walking economy (9% ± 8%) and increased time to exhaustion during incremental walking (9% ± 8%; both P < 0.01). Moreover, the MST group increased 6-min walking distance (6MWD; 10% ± 7%), and chair rising (30% ± 20%) and stair climbing performance (12% ± 7%; all P < 0.001). All MST-induced improvements were different from the control group (P < 0.01) which reduced their 1RM (9% ± 5%), walking economy (4% ± 4%), time to exhaustion (10% ± 8%), 6MWD (5% ± 5%), chair rising performance (12% ± 12%), and stair climbing performance (6% ± 8%; all P < 0.01). Finally, although MST maintained estimated quadriceps femoris muscle mass, a decrease was observed in the control group (7% ± 10%; P < 0.001). The change in 1RM correlated with the change in walking economy (r = 0.754), time to exhaustion (r = 0.793), 6MWD (r = 0.807), chair rising performance (r = 0.808), and stair climbing performance (r = 0.754; all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Lower-extremity MST effectively increases lower-extremity maximal muscle strength in breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant therapy and results in improved work economy, functional performance, and maintenance of muscle mass. These results advocate that MST should be considered in breast cancer treatment.Item Importance of the home environment for healthy aging : Conceptual and methodological background of the European ENABLE-AGE Project(2007) Iwarsson, Susanne; Wahl, Hans Werner; Nygren, Carita; Oswald, Frank; Sixsmith, Andrew; Sixsmith, Judith; Széan, Zsuzsa; Tomsone, Signe; Department of RehabilitationItem Mājas vides ietekme uz veselīgu novecošanu gados ļoti veciem cilvēkiem Latvijā Eiropas valstu kontekstā. Promocijas darba kopsavilkums(Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2010) Tomsone, Signe; Zaļkalns, JānisItem Maksimālais spēka treniņš krūts vēža pacientēm adjuvantas terapijas laikā. Promocijas darba kopsavilkums(Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2021) Cešeiko, Rūdolfs; Tomsone, Signe; Wang, EivindIevads. Krūts vēzis (KV) ir visbiežāk diagnosticētais audzēja tips sievietēm – vairāk nekā 2 miljonu jaunu saslimšanas gadījumu un vairāk nekā 600 000 nāves gadījumu gadā (Bray et al., 2018), un tā sastopamība pasaulē nepārtraukti pieaug. KV pacientes piedzīvo sarežģītas veselības un psihosociālas problēmas. Fizisko aktivitāšu apjoma krituma dēļ KV un pretvēža ārstēšanās process var samazināt muskuļu masu un pasliktināt muskuļu spēka attīstības rādītājus. Agrāk pacientiem, kuriem tika diagnosticēts vēzis, rekomendēja taupīt enerģiju un izvairīties no aktīvas slodzes pēc diagnozes noteikšanas, bet šīs pieņēmums pēdējo 20 gadu laikā ir ievērojami mainījies, jo fizisko aktivitāšu intervences onkoloģijā ir ieguvušas respektējamu atzinību. Spēka treniņa mērķis ir regulāru epizožu veidā stimulēt neiromuskulāro sistēmu, savukārt palielināts muskuļu spēks var veicināt personas iesaisti ikdienas aktivitātēs, tādējādi uzlabojot dzīves kvalitāti, kas saistīta ar veselību (DzK). Tomēr vēl nav zināma optimāla spēka treniņa metodika (intensitāte, biežums, apjoms) onkoloģisko pacientu ārstēšanās procesā, kas pretvēža ārstēšanas laikā kombinācijā ar noteiktu ārstēšanās plānu paaugstinātu maksimālo muskuļu spēku. Christensen et al. (Christensen et al., 2014) pētīja pirmreizēji apstiprinātus (krūts, kuņģa, kolorektāla, plaušu un aizkuņģa dziedzera) vēža pacientus un secināja, ka šiem pacientiem ir par 0,9 kg mazāka muskuļu masa, salīdzinot ar veseliem kontroles grupas indivīdiem pat pirms pretvēža terapijas uzsākšanas. Turklāt adjuvantas ķīmijterapijas laikā KV pacientes zaudēja 1,3 kg muskuļu masas un turpināja zaudēt muskuļu masu pēc terapijas pabeigšanas. Tika konstatēts, ka KV pacientēm muskuļu spēks pēc primārās terapijas pabeigšanas bija samazinājies par 20–30 %, salīdzinot ar veseliem cilvēkiem populācijā. Svarīgi uzsvērt, ka vairākums fizisko aktivitāšu pētījumu KV pacientēm kombinē aerobās izturības treniņu programmas un spēka treniņus, kā arī dažādas relaksācijas terapijas, tādējādi sarežģījot specifisko treniņu veidu ietekmes novērtēšanu. Onkoloģijā trūkst skaidri definētu klīnisko pētījumu KV pacientēm, kas ietvertu augstākas intensitātes spēka treniņus, turklāt apstākļos, kad intervence notiek adjuvantas ķīmijterapijas laikā. Klīniskajos spēka treniņa pētījumos onkoloģijā ievērojami atšķiras treniņos izmantotā intensitāte, sākot no 25 līdz 80 % no viena atkārtojuma maksimuma (1AM), lai gan ir dokumentēts, ka augstāka treniņu intensitāte rezultējas ar lielāku spēka pieaugumu gados jauniem un veseliem cilvēkiem (Campos et al., 2002). Turklāt lielāks muskuļu spēka pieaugums ir dokumentēts, izmantojot pakāpeniski progresējošu treniņu intensitāti onkoloģiskajiem pacientiem, tomēr iespējams, ka pacientiem ir novērojami fizisko spēju uzlabojumi, izmantojot zemu treniņu intensitāti (Fairman et al., 2017). Klīniskajos pētījumos, kuru ietvaros onkoloģiskajiem pacientiem tika veikta spēka treniņu intervence, secināts, ka treniņu programmas ir labi panesamas, tās ir drošas, izpildāmas un to rezultātā uzlabojas pacientu muskuļu spēks, kas paaugstina fiziskās spējas un uzlabo DzK (Segal et al., 2003), (De Backer et al., 2007), (Battaglini et al., 2014). Konstatēts, ka treniņu intensitāte spēka treniņos ir galvenais faktors, kas palielina maksimālo muskuļu spēku un ar spēku saistītos rādītājus. Līdz ar to ir būtiski veidot labi strukturētas treniņu programmas, nošķirot aerobo treniņu no spēka treniņa, kur skaidri ir aprakstīta treniņa metodoloģija (intensitāte, apjoms, biežums), lai rezultāti būtu vieglāk salīdzināmi ar citiem pētījumiem par fiziskajām aktivitātēm KV pacientēm. Līdz ar to ir nepieciešamas precīzi definētas un aprakstītas augstākas intensitātes spēka treniņu metodes, lai veicinātu fizioloģisko procesu lielāku adaptāciju, potenciāli veiksmīgāk izturētu ieplānoto ārstēšanas kursu, ātrāk atgūtu fiziskās spējas un atjaunotu sev vēlamās sociālās lomas.Item Mākslas terapijas izglītības desmit gadi Rīgas Stradiņa universitātē: No ieceres līdz profesijai(Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2016) Duhovska, Jana; Mārtinsone, Kristīne; Paipare, Mirdza; Mihailova, Sandra; Zakriževska, Maija; Majore-Dūšele, Indra; Dzilna, Sandra; Zālīte, R.; Lase, A.; Dreifelde, Ilze; Blauzde, O.; Visnola, D.; Kopitins, A.; Sibeta-Stila, K.; Aleksiene, Vilmante; Vētra, Jānis; Millere, Inga; Upmale, Anda; Ērgle, I.; Jermolājeva, I.; Heinsberga, Inta; Barsineviča, S.; Sudraba, Velga; Vagale, Aelita; Krevica, Edīte; Dzilna-Šilova, Ilze; Rožlapa-Junkere, Agne; Šteina, Anna; Vilka, Evija; Vende-Kotova, Kristīne; Mihailovs, Ivans Jānis; Karkuva (Karkou), Vikija (Vicky); Bergs-Lusebrinka, Vija; Smita, Ž.; Junkers, J.; Vētra, A.; Tomsone, SigneGrāmatā apkopotas 37 profesijas izveidē un izaugsmē iesaistītu ģeogrāfiski tuvu un tālu kolēģu intervijas. Šīs intervijas tika ievāktas, gatavojoties mākslu terapijas izglītības desmitgadei Rīgas Stradiņa universitātē, lai jubilejas reizē reflektētu par mākslu terapijas tapšanu – no dažādiem skatupunktiem, lai uzrunātu un atcerētos cilvēkus, kas ir devuši būtisku ieguldījumu profesijas attīstībā, tā veidojot daudzbalsīgu stāstījumu, fiksējot, kā notika Latvijas mākslu terapijas modeļa tapšana un attīstība.Item Maximal Strength Training for Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Treatment. Doctoral Thesis(Rīga Stradiņš University, 2021) Cešeiko, Rūdolfs; Tomsone, Signe; Wang, EivindObjective. Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer among women, with more than 2 million new cases and over 600 000 deaths annually (Bray et al., 2018), and its global incidence is steadily rising. BC patients through the cancer continuum experience complex health and psychosocial challenges. BC and anti-cancer treatment accompanied by an inactive lifestyle may further impair muscle strength and muscle force development characteristics. Historically, patients diagnosed with cancer were advises to rest and avoid vigorous activity following their diagnosis, but this dogma has changed markedly over the last 20 years as exercise oncology intervention studies have gained broad acceptance and acknowledgment. Strength training can optimally affect muscles and increased muscle strength may contribute to participation in daily activities, thus potentially improving the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the optimal type, intensity and frequency of strength training, as a part of cancer care, that will most enhance muscle strength during anti-cancer treatment is yet unknown. Christensen et al. (Christensen et al., 2014) investigated newly confirmed (breast, gastric, colorectal, lung and pancreas) cancer patients and concluded that these patients had 0.9 kg lower muscle mass compared with healthy controls even before the initiation of anti-cancer treatment. Furthermore, during adjuvant chemotherapy, BC patients lost 1.3 kg lean body mass (LBM), and continued to lose LBM after therapy was completed. Ultimately, BC survivors evaluated after completion of primary therapy displayed 20–30% lower muscle strength compared with healthy counterparts. Most physical activity interventions for BC patients combine aerobic endurance training with strength training and diverse relaxation therapies, hence making it more complicated to evaluate the impact of training type. There has been a limited number of well-defined clinical trials on BC patients that include higher intensity strength training, moreover when intervention is administered during adjuvant treatment. Training intensities vary substantially across cancer studies ranging from 25–80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), although, it has been documented that higher training intensities yield greater strength gains in young healthy individuals (Campos et al., 2002). Similarly, greater gains in muscle strength are documented with increasing intensity for cancer patients, however, these patients are likely to have some improvement even at low training intensities (Fairman et al., 2017). The common consent from clinical trials when strength training interventions were applied for cancer patients states that training programs were well tolerated, they are safe, feasible and showed strength improvements that led to improved physical functioning and improved HRQoL (Segal et al., 2003), (De Backer et al., 2007), (Battaglini et al., 2014). Recognizing that training intensity during strength training is a key factor to improve maximal muscular strength and strength related characteristics. Therefore, well-defined training methods with high intensity could also be preferable to induce greater physiological adaptations, thus contribute to faster recovery from specific cancer treatment and enhancing the completion of prescribed anti-cancer treatment.Item Maximal Strength Training for Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Treatment. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis(Rīga Stradiņš University, 2021) Cešeiko, Rūdolfs; Tomsone, Signe; Wang, EivindObjective. Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer among women, with more than 2 million new cases and over 600 000 deaths annually (Bray et al., 2018), and its global incidence is steadily rising. BC patients through the cancer continuum experience complex health and psychosocial challenges. BC and anti-cancer treatment accompanied by an inactive lifestyle may further impair muscle strength and muscle force development characteristics. Historically, patients diagnosed with cancer were advises to rest and avoid vigorous activity following their diagnosis, but this dogma has changed markedly over the last 20 years as exercise oncology intervention studies have gained broad acceptance and acknowledgment. Strength training can optimally affect muscles and increased muscle strength may contribute to participation in daily activities, thus potentially improving the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the optimal type, intensity and frequency of strength training, as a part of cancer care, that will most enhance muscle strength during anti-cancer treatment is yet unknown. Christensen et al. (Christensen et al., 2014) investigated newly confirmed (breast, gastric, colorectal, lung and pancreas) cancer patients and concluded that these patients had 0.9 kg lower muscle mass compared with healthy controls even before the initiation of anti-cancer treatment. Furthermore, during adjuvant chemotherapy, BC patients lost 1.3 kg lean body mass (LBM), and continued to lose LBM after therapy was completed. Ultimately, BC survivors evaluated after completion of primary therapy displayed 20–30% lower muscle strength compared with healthy counterparts. Most physical activity interventions for BC patients combine aerobic endurance training with strength training and diverse relaxation therapies, hence making it more complicated to evaluate the impact of training type. There has been a limited number of well-defined clinical trials on BC patients that include higher intensity strength training, moreover when intervention is administered during adjuvant treatment. Training intensities vary substantially across cancer studies ranging from 25–80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), although, it has been documented that higher training intensities yield greater strength gains in young healthy individuals (Campos et al., 2002). Similarly, greater gains in muscle strength are documented with increasing intensity for cancer patients, however, these patients are likely to have some improvement even at low training intensities (Fairman et al., 2017). The common consent from clinical trials when strength training interventions were applied for cancer patients states that training programs were well tolerated, they are safe, feasible and showed strength improvements that led to improved physical functioning and improved HRQoL (Segal et al., 2003), (De Backer et al., 2007), (Battaglini et al., 2014). Recognizing that training intensity during strength training is a key factor to improve maximal muscular strength and strength related characteristics. Therefore, well-defined training methods with high intensity could also be preferable to induce greater physiological adaptations, thus contribute to faster recovery from specific cancer treatment and enhancing the completion of prescribed anti-cancer treatment.Item Relationships between housing and healthy aging in very old age(2007) Oswald, Frank; Wahl, Hans Werner; Schilling, Oliver; Nygren, Carita; Fänge, Agneta; Sixsmith, Andrew; Sixsmith, Judith; Széan, Zsuzsa; Tomsone, Signe; Iwarsson, Susanne; Rehabilitācijas fakultātePurpose: The aim of this work is to examine the relationship between aspects of objective and perceived housing and aspects of healthy aging, defined as independence in daily activities and subjective wellbeing. Furthermore, this research examined the comparability of relationships between housing and healthy aging in the five European countries. Design and Methods: Data were drawn from the ENABLE- AGE Project, from home interviews with a sample of 1,918 very old people aged 75 to 89 years living alone in their own homes in Swedish, German, British, Hungarian and Latvian urban areas. Results: Participants living in better accessible homes, who perceive their home as meaningful and useful, and who think that external influences are not responsible for their housing situation are more independent in daily activities and have a better sense of well-being. Moreover, these results apply to all five national samples. Implications: The findings can widen the perspective when striving for barrier-free building standards, to encompass a holistic approach that takes both objective and perceived aspects of housing into account. Home modification and relocation should not be prescribed, but need to be negotiated with older adults to take into account their personal preferences.Item Relationships between objective and perceived housing in very old age(2007) Nygren, Carita; Oswald, Frank; Iwarsson, Susanne; Fänge, Agneta; Sixsmith, Judith; Schilling, Oliver; Sixsmith, Andrew; Széan, Zsuzsa; Tomsone, Signe; Wahl, Hans Werner; Department of RehabilitationPurpose: Our purpose in this study was to explore relationships between aspects of objective and perceived housing in five European samples of very old adults, as well as to investigate whether crossnational comparable patterns exist. Design and Methods: We utilized data from the first wave of the ENABLE-AGE Survey Study. The five national samples totalled 1,918 individuals aged 75 to 89 years. Objective assessments of the home environment covered the number of environmental barriers as well as the magnitude of accessibility problems (an aspect of person-environment fit). To assess perceptions of housing, we used instruments on usability, meaning of home, and housing satisfaction. We also assessed housing-related control. Results: Overall, the results revealed that the magnitude of accessibility problems, rather than the number of physical environmental barriers, was associated with perceptions of activity-oriented aspects of housing. That is, very old people living in more accessible housing perceived their homes as more useful and meaningful in relation to their routines and everyday activities, and they were less dependent on external control in relation to their housing. The patterns of such relationships were similar in the five national samples. Implications: Objective and perceived aspects of housing have to be considered in order to understand the dynamics of aging in place, and the results can be used in practice contexts that target housing for senior citizens.Item Self-rated health among very old people in European countries : An explorative study in Latvia and Sweden(2015-01-01) Harschel, Anne K.; Schaap, Laura A.; Iwarsson, Susanne; Horstmann, Vibeke; Tomsone, Signe; Rīga Stradiņš UniversityObjectives: To explore and gain insight into factors related to self-rated health (SRH) among very old people in two European countries. Methods: The study was based on Latvian (n = 301) and Swedish (n = 397) data from the baseline of the Enabling Autonomy, Participation, and Well-Being in Old Age: The Home Environment as a Determinant for Healthy Ageing Survey Study. Besides descriptive statistics, ordinal regression analysis was used to analyze demographic, physical and mental health-related, functional and environmental factors related to SRH in each sample. Results: In both samples, participants with worse perceived physical mobility and more symptoms were significantly more likely to have worse SRH. There were more diverse results regarding other factors in terms of opposite relations to SRH, comparing the two samples. Discussion: Preventive measures and health care should focus on improving and supporting mobility and physical health among older people. Especially in countries with low scores on indicators of health such as Latvia, to minimize health inequalities. More attention should be paid to factors to improve the general health status of the population.