Association between Non-Face-to-Face Interactions and Incident Disability in Older Adults

Objectives This observational prospective cohort study, conducted between September 2015 and February 2019, aimed to investigate the association between the incidence of disability and non-face-to-face interactions among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. Design Participants reported their interaction status using a self-report questionnaire. Face-to-face interactions comprised in-person meetings, while virtual interactions (e.g., via phone calls or emails) were defined as non-face-to-face interactions. We examined the relationship between their interaction status at baseline and the risk of disability incidence at follow-up. We also considered several potential confounding variables, such as demographic characteristics. Setting The National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Study of Geriatric Syndromes. Participants We included 1159 adults from Takahama City aged >= 75 years (mean age +/- standard deviation = 79.5 +/- 3.6 years). Measurements Interaction status was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire consisting of two sections (face-to-face and non-face-to-face interactions), and four questionnaire items. Based on the responses we categorized study participants into four groups: both interactions, face-to-face only, non-face-to-face only, and no interactions. Results Individuals with both kinds of interactions (49.3/1000 person-years) or only one kind of interaction (face-to-face = 57.7/1000 person-years; non-face-to-face = 41.2 person-years) had lower incidence of disability than those with no interactions (88.9/1000 person-years). Moreover, the hazard ratios adjusted for potential confounding factors for the incidence of disability in the both interaction, face-to-face-only, and non-face-to-face only groups were 0.57 (confidence interval = 0.39-0.82; p = 0.003), 0.66 (confidence interval = 0.44-0.98; p = 0.038), and 0.47 (confidence interval = 0.22-0.99; p = 0.048), respectively. Conclusion Considering the interaction status of older adults in their day-to-day practice, clinicians may be able to achieve better outcomes in the primary prevention of disease by encouraging older adults to engage in any form of interaction, including non-face-to-face interactions.

Automated summary

This observational prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the association between the incidence of disability and non-face-to-face interactions among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. The study found that individuals with face-to-face interactions or only one kind of interaction had a lower incidence of disability compared to those with no interactions. Therefore, clinicians may achieve better outcomes in disease prevention by considering the interaction status of older adults in their day-to-day practice and encouraging them to engage in any form of interaction, including non-face-to-face interactions.