Factors associated with continuous social participation among Japanese older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A longitudinal observational study in Japan.

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors associated with continuous social participation among Japanese older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled participants from the control group of the Japan-Multimodal Intervention Trial for the Prevention of Dementia (J-MINT). We included individuals for whom social participation could be analyzed at four time points (baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months). Social participation was defined as taking part in group activities at least once monthly. Participants were classified into two groups: continuous (participation at all time points) and non-continuous (participation at some or none of the time points). This study comprehensively examined the factors related to social participation reported in previous studies among older adults. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 184 participants (mean age: 74.2 ± 4.7 years, female: 93/184 [50.5%]) were included in the study. Of these, 95 and 89 were assigned to the continuous and non-continuous participation groups, respectively. Greater food diversity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.13), non-frailty or non-pre-frailty (AOR = 3.76; 95% CI, 1.77-7.79), and more extensive social networks of friends (AOR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.08-1.37) were associated with continuous social participation.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater diversity of consumed food, non-frailty or non-pre-frailty status, and more extensive social networks of friends were identified as factors associated with continuous social participation among Japanese older adults with MCI. These findings may inform assessments and strategies to support continuous social participation.