The prevalence of sarcopenia depends on the diagnostic criteria and updates used. There are few studies investigating the relationship between the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) criteria and risk factors in active community-dwelling older adults. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 533 community-dwelling active older adults were assessed. 3.75 % were diagnosed with confirmed sarcopenia and 15.86 % with probable sarcopenia. The risk of sarcopenia was found to increase with age, taking more than four tablets a day and having a low level of education. There is a possible association between smoking and living alone. In contrast, active older adults had a lower prevalence of sarcopenia compared to the European and global populations, suggesting a protective effect of physical activity adherence against sarcopenia. Further studies in this population are needed to increase the sample size and to better understand the development and factors associated with sarcopenia.

Subtle loss of functionality in healthy older adults is considered one of the most important predictors of cognitive decline. Neurocognitive interventions are increasingly being used, from a preventive maintenance approach to functional capacity. This study evaluates the effectiveness of different neurocognitive approaches on the functionality of healthy older adults. In this systematic review (CRD42023473944), an extensive search was conducted for articles published in the last 10 years (2013–2023) in the following databases: Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. A total of 809 trials were identified, of which 18 were considered to be eligible for inclusion in the review. The data revealed heterogeneity in sample size, measures of functional assessment, neurocognitive interventions used, number of sessions, session duration, and time. Traditional cognitive stimulation is shown to have no significant functional benefit, while other less commonly used neurocognitive interventions, such as those based on everyday cognition, are associated with more significant benefits. Moreover, it is demonstrated that although the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (IADL) is the most used test in similar studies, it is not sensitive enough to detect changes in functionality in healthy elderly individuals, with other tests such as the Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (TIADL) being more advantageous. Therefore, a new guideline is proposed for its use in clinical practice and research, using homogeneous study protocols and neurocognitive interventions that allow for the transfer and generalization of results in daily life.

Background: Ageing entails changes in complex cognitive functions that lead to a decrease in autonomy and quality of life. Everyday cognition is the ability to solve cognitively complex problems in the everyday world, enabling instrumental activities of life. Benefits have been found in studies using everyday cognition-based assessment and intervention, as the results predict improvements in everyday performance, not just in specific cognitive functions. A study protocol is presented based on assessment and training in everyday cognition versus traditional cognitive stimulation for the improvement of functionality, emotional state, frailty and cognitive function. Methods: A parallel randomised controlled clinical trial with two arms will be conducted. It will be carried out by the University of Salamanca (Spain) in eleven centres and associations for the elderly of the City Council of Salamanca. People aged 60 years or older without cognitive impairment will be recruited. Participants will be randomly distributed into two groups: the experimental group will undergo a training programme in everyday cognition and the control group a programme of traditional cognitive stimulation, completing 25 sessions over 7 months. All participants will be assessed at the beginning and at the end of the intervention, where socio-demographic data and the following scales will be collected: The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS), Questionnaire ARMS-e, Everyday Cognition Test (PECC), Scale Yesavage, Test Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), The Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Fragility Index and Lawton y Brody Scale. Discussion: The present study aims to improve conventional clinical practice on cognitive function training by proposing a specific assessment and intervention of everyday cognition based on the importance of actual cognitive functioning during the resolution of complex tasks of daily life, giving priority to the improvement of autonomy. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; ID: NCT05688163. Registered on: January 18, 2023.

Neurodynamic exercise is a specific type of exercise used as a neural treatment that focuses on restoring altered homeostasis in the neuroimmune system by mobilising the nervous system and other structures. A prospective, randomized clinical trial was performed to evaluate the effect of neurodynamic exercises on disability and neck pain in elderly women over four weeks. Participants were randomized into two groups: a neurodynamic (NM) group (n = 28) and a non-specific exercise (NSE) group (n = 28). Inclusion criteria were women over 65 years of age who subjectively admitted to having mechanical neck pain for more than six months. Results showed that specific neurodynamic exercises can improve pain and disability in older women with chronic mechanical neck pain. Improvements were observed in all variables (p < 0.05). Significant between-group differences in favour of the NM group were only found for neck pressure pain thresholds and both tibialis anterior muscles. Larger effect sizes were obtained in favour of the NM group, especially for pain, disability, neck extension and inclination and pressure pain thresholds. Neurodynamic exercises have been shown to be more clinically relevant in disability and neck pain in older women.

Background: In light of increasing breast cancer survival rates, it is essential to address cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), a common yet often underestimated symptom. Methods: A randomised controlled trial is proposed involving 50 newly diagnosed participants, divided into a control group (CG) and an intervention group (IG). Both groups will receive an educational leaflet, while the IG will also take part in an individualised cognitive training programme based on everyday cognition (80 sessions distributed across four periods, compiled in a training dossier). Cognitive, emotional, and functional variables will be assessed before and after the intervention: cognitive function (MoCA test), everyday cognition (PECC), anxiety (Hamilton), functionality (LB), sleep quality (PSQI), quality of life (ECOG), and subjective memory complaints (FACT-COG). Expected results: Findings may guide future interventions and tailored protocols to alleviate CRCI in breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment. Ethics and dissemination: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Salamanca (PI 2023 12 1478-TD).

Background/Objectives: Chronic pain in older adults is a highly disabling epidemic, often overtreated with passive pharmacological approaches. Although clinical guidelines recommend active strategies combining multicomponent exercise and Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), robust geriatric evidence remains scarce. Therefore, the central objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the efficacy of combined PNE and exercise versus exercise alone. Crucially, this RCT addresses a major literature gap by investigating the long-term dose–response effect of PNE (an 8-week intensive vs. a 32-week maintenance program) to determine the optimal strategy for sustaining behavioral change and pain relief. Methods: A prospective, single-blind RCT (1:1:1 allocation) will recruit 90 older adults (≥65 years) with primary chronic musculoskeletal pain. The 32-week intervention comprises three arms: a control group (multicomponent exercise), Intervention Group 1 (exercise + 8 weeks of PNE), and Intervention Group 2 (exercise + 32 weeks of PNE). The primary outcome is pain intensity (assessed via the Numeric Rating Scale [NRS]). Secondary outcomes include kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, chronic pain grade and related disability, quality of life, physical performance, body composition and analgesic consumption. Data collected at baseline, 8, and 32 weeks will be analyzed using mixed-effects models for repeated measures. Results: As this is a study protocol, there are no results to report yet. Upon completion of the trial, data will be analyzed using mixed-effects models for repeated measures to evaluate intra- and intergroup changes over time, and the findings will be disseminated in future publications. Conclusions: By evaluating the long-term dose–response effect, this study will determine the optimal PNE dosage required for sustained pain relief and behavioral change in older adults. If our hypotheses are confirmed, the findings will generate high-quality evidence to support the integration of combined active interventions into community settings, promoting active aging and reducing the burden of chronic pain. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT07287501.