Healthy Aging Research

Members

Theme Leader :
Hiroshi Murayama, R.N., P.H.N., M.P.H., Ph.D.
Researcher:
Kumiko Nonaka, Ph.D., Yu Nofuji, Ph.D., Yuri Yokoyama, R.D., Ph.D., Takayuki Ueno, R.N., Ph.D.
Associate Researcher:
Hidenori Amano, M.H.S.
Adjunct Researcher:
Takumi Abe, Naoko Saito, Takumi Suda, Mai Takase, Yuka Nakamura,
Adjunct Staff:
Yumi Arai, Takuro Okuyama, Shiina Chiaki, Emiko Nishimura, Karen Hosoi

Keywords

Healthy aging, Frailty prevention, Health promotion, Social participation, Employment, Social environment, Health disparity, Health indifference, Epidemiological study, Community intervention

Major Research Titles

Healthy aging is defined as living an independent life while maintaining physical, mental, and social functions. We aim to generate evidence for the establishment of a social system that promotes healthy aging, particularly primary prevention of frailty and dementia.

To achieve these goals, we established three pillars of research:

  1. Basic research: Epidemiological research for long-term care and frailty prevention
  2. Applied research: Verification of methods for long-term care and frailty prevention
  3. Challenging research: Investigation of approaches toward difficult-to-reach populations

Profile

1.Basic research: Epidemiological research for long-term care and frailty prevention

We manage several longitudinal cohorts of older adults. Data from the cohort studies are used to conduct epidemiological research on the three pillars of frailty prevention: physical activity, nutrition, and social participation. We also examine individual and environmental factors that promote or inhibit the implementation of strategies that target the three pillars. By collaborating with the local governments, we can approach many regions with different characteristics. This will enable us to disseminate knowledge and implement strategies in diverse regions.

2. Applied research: Verification of methods for long-term care and frailty prevention

We are engaged in the development and implementation of social systems for frailty prevention through community building. The aim of this research theme is to create new opportunities for the employment of older adults. To apply the knowledge accumulated from the studies focused on the three pillars of frailty prevention, we conduct research in both community and workplace.

3. Challenging research: Investigation of approaches toward difficult-to-reach populations

This research theme targets difficult-to-reach populations identified in previous research and practice activities. To achieve healthy aging, we conduct research to develop approaches for promoting changes in awareness and behavior among socially isolated people and health-indifferent populations.

Research Fields

We have conducted epidemiological studies (cohort studies) and field surveys in various parts of Japan, in collaboration with local municipalities.

Kusatsu Study (Kusatsu Town, Gunma)

In 2001, we established a collaborative research agreement with the town of Kusatsu and began to collect data through yearly health checkups for residents 65 years and older (the Kusatsu Longitudinal Study). Moreover, we conducted surveys for individuals who did not receive the health checkups once every three years to understand the health status of all older adults in the town. We also collected data regarding outcomes (i.e., death, transfer), need for long-term care certification, and medical/long-term care expenses and combined this information with data from the health checkups and overall surveys. These strategies have enabled an extensive longitudinal analysis. Our study, spanning nearly 20 years, is among the longest studies performed exclusively among older adults in the country.

Representative article

Shinkai S, Yoshida H, Taniguchi Y, Murayama H, Nishi M, Amano H, Nofuji Y, Seino S, Fujiwara Y. Public health approach to preventing frailty in the community and its effect on healthy aging in Japan. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; Suppl 1:87-97.

List of research papers from the Kusatsu Study

Hatoyama Study (Hatoyama Town, Saitama)

Since the beginning of 2001, we have been conducting social activity surveys and intervention research regarding the training of community welfare volunteers. In 2010, we signed a collaborative research agreement with the town of Hatoyama and began a cohort study of a stratified random sample of residents between 65 and 84 years of age (the Hatoyama Cohort Study). From 2010 to 2018, we conducted health checkups, home visit health checkups, self-administered questionnaire surveys, and multifactorial intervention for preventing frailty. In addition to the cohort study, we conducted questionnaire surveys for all residents aged 65 and over in the town (approximately 5,000 people) in 2018, 2020, and 2023. We also collected data on outcomes (i.e., death, transfer), need for long-term care certification, and medical/long-term care expenses; evaluated measures for the prevention of long-term care; and conducted epidemiological studies to identify risk factors regarding frailty and the need for long-term care.

Representative article (Profile of the Hatoyama Cohort Study)

Murayama H, Nishi M, Shimizu Y, Kim MJ, Yoshida H, Amano H, Fujiwara Y, Shinkai S. The Hatoyama Cohort Study: Design and profile of participants at baseline. J Epidemiol 2012; 22(6): 551-558.

List of research papers from the Hatoyama Study

Yabu Study (Yabu City, Hyogo)

Under a cooperative agreement with Yabu City, we have been conducting mailed questionnaire surveys for all residents in Yabu City aged 65 and over every five years since 2012, linking these data with data on outcomes (i.e., death, transfer), need for long-term care certification, and medical/long-term care expenses. Since 2014, we have been conducting a practical study aimed at creating a community for frailty prevention and evaluating its effectiveness by using the longitudinal data we have constructed.

Representative article (Profile of the Yabu Cohort Study)

Murayama H, Nofuji Y, Matsuo E, Nishi M, Taniguchi Y, Fujiwara Y, Shinkai S. The Yabu Cohort Study: Design and profile of participants at baseline. J Epidemiol 2014; 24(6): 519-525.

List of research papers from the Yabu Study

Wako Study (Wako City, Saitama)

Under a comprehensive collaboration agreement with Wako City, the Wako Cohort Study was started in 2023, targeting community-dwelling adults aged ≥40 years in Wako City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The Wako Cohort Study consists of two surveys: a mail-in survey for persons aged ≥40 years and a face-to-face assessment (on-site survey) for those aged ≥65 years. In the mailed-in survey, approximately 2,700 people aged 40-64 years and 7,100 people aged 65 years and over participated, and, in the on-site survey, approximately 1,000 people aged 65 years and over participated. In the future, follow-up surveys will be conducted using mortality and long-term care insurance information to examine factors that contribute to the achievement of healthy aging.

Representative article (Profile of the Wako Cohort Study)

Yokoyama Y, Nofuji Y, Abe T, Nonaka K, Ozone Y, Nakamura Y, Chiaki S, Suda T, Saito N, Takase M, Amano H, Ogawa S, Suzuki H, Murayama H. The Wako Cohort Study: Design and profile of participants at baseline. J Epidemiol. (under review)

List of research papers from the Wako Study （under construction）

Kesennuma Study (Kesennuma City, Miyagi)

In November 2018, we established a comprehensive collaboration agreement with Kesennuma City and have been working together on community development for health and longevity. In 2019, our research team conducted a community diagnosis through a self-administered questionnaire survey of 10,000 older adults living in Kesennuma City (the Kesennuma Cohort Study). On the basis of the results of this survey, we will work with the local government and community residents to increase the places older adults regularly visit to improve their functioning. The results of these efforts will be verified in the future.

Representative article (Profile of the Kesennuma Cohort Study)

Yamashita M, Seino S, Nofuji Y, Sugawara Y, Osuka Y, Kitamura A, Shinkai S. The Kesennuma Study in Miyagi, Japan: Study design and baseline profiles of participants. J Epidemiol 2022; 32(12): 559-566.

List of research papers from the Kesennuma Study

References (year of 2023)

The list of publications before 2022 was included on the website of our research team.

  1. Murayama H, Suda T, Nakamoto I, Shinozaki T, Tabuchi T. Changes in social isolation and loneliness prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: The JACSIS 2020-2021 study. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1094340. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1094340.
  2. Murayama H, Shimada S, Morito K, Maeda H, Takahashi Y. Evaluating the effectiveness of letter and telephone reminders in promoting the use of specific health guidance in an at-risk population for metabolic syndrome in Japan: A randomized controlled trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(5):3784. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20053784.
  3. Murayama H, Sasaki S, Takahashi Y, Takase M, Taguchi A. Message framing effects on attitude and intention toward social participation in old age. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):1713. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16555-1.
  4. Murayama H, Nakamoto I, Takase M, Sagara T, Sugiura K, Higashi K, Fujiwara Y. Older assistant care workers as late-life employment in Japan: Perceived benefits from work and emotional exhaustion. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2023. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14690. (in press)
  5. Murayama H, Sugiyama M, Inagaki H, Ura C, Miyamae F, Edahiro A, Motokawa K, Okamura T, Awata S. The relationship between cognitive decline and all-cause mortality is modified by living alone and a small social network: A paradox of isolation. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2023;78(11):1927-1934. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbad134.
  6. Murayama H, Takagi Y, Tsuda H, Kato Y. Applying nudge to public health policy: Practical examples and tips for designing nudge interventions. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(5):3962. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20053962.
  7. Nonaka K, Murayama H, Murayama Y, Murayama S, Kuraoka M, Nemoto Y, Kobayashi E, Fujiwara Y. The impact of generativity on maintaining higher-level functional capacity of older adults: A longitudinal study in Japan. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(11):6015. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20116015.
  8. Nonaka K, Takase M, Sugiura K, Murayama H. Introducing a Japanese form of Pro Bono as a way to foster cooperation between the working generation and community-based organizations. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2023. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14716. (in press)
  9. Nofuji Y, Seino S, Abe T, Yokoyama Y, Narita M, Murayama H, Shinkai S, Kitamura A, Fujiwara Y. Effects of community-based frailty-preventing intervention on all-cause and cause-specific functional disability in older adults living in rural Japan: A propensity score analysis. Prev Med. 2023;169:107449. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107449.
  10. Yokoyama Y, Nofuji Y, Seino S, Abe T, Murayama H, Narita M, Shinkai S, Kitamura A, Fujiwara Y. Association of dietary variety with the risk for dementia: the Yabu cohort study. Public Health Nutr. 2023;26(11):2314-2321. doi: 10.1017/S1368980023000824.
  11. Abe T, Fujita K, Sagara T, Ishibashi T, Morishita K, Murayama H, Sakurai R, Osuka Y, Watanabe S, Fujiwara Y. Associations between frailty status, work-related accidents and efforts for safe work among older workers in Tokyo: A cross-sectional study. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2023;23(3):234-238. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14557.
  12. Abe T, Seino S, Nofuji Y, Yokoyama Y, Amano H, Yamashita M, Shinkai S, Kitamura A, Fujiwara Y. Modifiable healthy behaviours and incident disability in older adults: Analysis of combined data from two cohort studies in Japan. Exp Gerontol. 2023;173:112094. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112094.
  13. Abe T, Seino S, Hata T, Yamashita M, Ohmori N, Kitamura A, Shinkai S, Fujiwara Y. Transportation modes and social participation in older drivers and non-drivers: Results from urbanised Japanese cities. J Transp Geogr. 2023;109:103598. doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2023.103598.
  14. Abe T, Yamashita M, Fujiwara Y, Sasai H, Obuchi PS, Ishizaki T, Awata S, Toba K, Fluctuations in cognitive test scores and loss to follow-up in community-dwelling older adults: The IRIDE Cohort Study. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2023. doi: 10.1159/000531764. (in press)
  15. Abe T, Yamashiro D, Yamashita M, Ueda T, Suzuki H, Fujiwara Y, Awata S, Toba K. Assessments of cognitive function of older adults in community general support centers: The IRIDE cohort study. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2023;23(11):887-888. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14677.
  16. Takase M, Murayama H, Hirukawa S, Tanaka T, Ono S, Sugimoto M, Kimata M. The association between meal enjoyment and depressive symptoms of senior care facility residents in Japan. Jpn J Health Hum Ecol. 2023;89(2):48-56. doi.org/10.3861/kenko.89.2_48.
  17. Suda T, Sugawara I, Murayama H. Association between participation in social network service groups and offline social networks. Geriatr Gerontol Int. (in press)
  18. Takase M, Nonaka K, Sugiura K, Murayama H. The association between role conflict and project participation in "Pro Bono Workers". Geriatr Gerontol Int. (in press)
  19. Murayama H, Shimada S, Takahashi Y. Effectiveness of letter and telephone reminders for specific health guidance use: A randomized controlled trial for those intending to use health guidance in a large city. Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi. 2023 Jun 24;70(6):381-9. [In Japanese]
  20. Takase M, Sugiura K, Sagara T, Nakamoto I, Ma PP, Muto Y, Higashi K, Fujiwara Y, Murayama H. Association between the change in the job facilitating and inhibiting factors of care staff due to the employment of older assistant workers and the emotional exhaustion among care staff. Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi. 2024 May 30;71(5):275-82. [In Japanese]
  21. Saito N, Takase M, Taguchi A, Murayama H. Need for livelihood support and relationship with community residents: A cross-sectional survey among older adults who do not use livelihood support in a rural area. Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi. 2024 Jun 27;71(6):297-306. [In Japanese]
  22. Takahashi T, Matsunaga H, Sagara T, Fujita K, Fujihira K, Ogawa S, Suzuki H, Murayama H, Fujiwara Y. Effects of fear of COVID-19 on older volunteers' willingness to continue their activities: REPRINTS Cohort Study. Geriatr Gerontol Int. (in press)
  23. Morita A, Fujiwara T, Murayama H, Machida M, Inoue S, Shobugawa Y. Association between trajectory of socioeconomic position and regional brain volumes related to dementia: Results from the NEIGE study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2023. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glad269. (in press)
  24. Osuka Y, Okubo Y, Nofuji Y, Maruo K, Fujiwara Y, Oka H, Shinkai S, Lord SR, Sasai H. Occupational fall risk assessment tool for older workers. Occup Med (Lond) . 2023;73(3):161-166. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqad035.
  25. Fujita Y, Shinkai S, Taniguchi Y, Miura Y, Tanaka M, Ohsawa I, Kitamura A, Ito M. Association between serum GDF15 concentration and total mortality in community-dwelling Japanese older populations: The Involvement of Renal Dysfunction. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2023;78(9):1701-1707. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glad105.
  26. Fujiwara Y, Seino S, Nofuji Y, Yokoyama Y, Abe T, Yamashita M, Hata T, Fujita K, Murayama H, Shinkai S, Kitamura A. The relationship between working status in old age and cause-specific disability in Japanese community-dwelling older adults with or without frailty: A 3.6-year prospective study. Geriatr Gerontol Int . 2023. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14686. (in press)
  27. Kitago M, Seino S, Shinkai S, Nofuji Y, Yokoyama Y, Hata T, Abe T, Taniguchi Y, Amano H, Murayama H, Kitamura A, Akishita M, Fujiwara Y. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of creatinine-to-cystatin C ratio with sarcopenia parameters in older adults. J Nutr Health Aging. 2023;27(11):946-952. doi: 10.1007/s12603-023-2029-3.
  28. Yamanaka N, Itabashi M, Fujiwara Y, Nofuji Y, Abe T, Kitamura A, Shinkai S, Takebayashi T, Takei T. Relationship between the urinary Na/K ratio, diet and hypertension among community-dwelling older adults. Hypertens Res. 2023;46(3):556-564. doi: 10.1038/s41440-022-01135-4.
  29. Hatanaka S, Sasai H, Shida T, Osuka Y, Kojima N, Ohta T, Abe T, Yamashita M, Obuchi SP, Ishizaki T, Fujiwara Y, Awata S, Toba K, Association between dynapenia and cognitive decline in community-dwelling older Japanese adults: The IRIDE Cohort Study. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2023. (in press)
  30. Taniguchi Y, Yokoyama Y, Ikeuchi T, Mitsutake S, Murayama H, Abe T, Seino S, Amano H, Nishi M, Hagiwara Y, Shinkai S, Kitamura A, Fujiwara Y. Pet ownership-related differences in medical and long- term care costs among community-dwelling older Japanese. PLoS One. 2023;18(1):e0277049. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277049.
  31. Seino S, Abe T, Nofuji Y, Hata T, Shinkai S, Kitamura A, Fujiwara Y. Dose-response associations of physical activity and sitting time with all-cause mortality in older Japanese adults. J Epidemiol. doi: 10.2188/jea.JE20220246. (in press)
  32. Chen T, Chen S, Honda T, Kishimoto H, Nofuji Y, Narazaki K. Accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior and risk of functional disability in older Japanese adults: A 9-year prospective cohort study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act . 2023;20(1):91. doi: 10.1186/s12966-023-01490-6.
  33. Chandrabose M, Forkan ARM, Abe T, Owen N, Sugiyama T. Joint associations of environmental and sociodemographic attributes with active and sedentary travel. Transportation research part D: transport and environment. 2023;116:103643. doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2023.103643.
  34. Isamu K, Takamiya T, Amagasa S, Machida M, Kikuchi H, Fukushima N, Inoue S, Murayama H, Fujiwara T, Shobugawa Y. The association of subjective vision with objectively measured intensity-specific physical activity and bout-specific sedentary behavior among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2023;67(2):164-174. doi: 10.1007/s10384-023-00977-w.
  35. Ide-Okochi A, He M, Murayama H, Samiso T, Yoshinaga N. Non-compliance of hypertension treatment and related factors among Kumamoto earthquake victims who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic during post-earthquake recovery period. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(6):5203. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20065203.
  36. Sakurai R, Abe T, Fujiwara Y. Low intention to visit a hospital for hearing loss among older adults. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2023;24(7):1092-1093. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.03.035.
  37. Sugiyama M, Chau H-W, Abe T, Kato Y, Jamei E, Veeroja P, Mori K, Sugiyama T. Third places for older adults' social engagement: A scoping review and research agenda. Gerontologist. 2023;63(7):1149-1161. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnac180.
  38. Fujihira K, Takahashi T, Sagara T, Matsunaga H, Fujita K, Suzuki H, Murayama H, Fujiwara Y. Relationship between face-to-face and non-face-to-face communication, and well-being in older volunteers during the pandemic: The REPRINTS project. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology (in press).
  39. Ide-Okochi A, He M, Kanamori Y, Samiso T, Takamoto K, Murayama H. Gender differences in the association between psychological distress and sociability among older adult survivors: Cross-sectional survey four years after the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake in Japan. Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine (in press).
  40. Tada Y, Yoshizaki T, Yokoyama Y, Takebayashi J, Okada E, Takimoto H, et al. Feasibility study of the draft Japanese nutrient profile model to support healthy eating behaviors: A cross-sectional study focusing on the motivation of behavioral change. Jpn J Nutr Diet. 2023 Oct 1;81(5):246-59. [In Japanese]
  41. Inamasu D., Okamoto N., Kubota A., Abe T. How many days are needed to predict weekly travel behavior in older adults? Human Performance Measurement, 2023; 23, 11-17. [In Japanese]
  42. Nakamoto I, Sugiura K, Sagara T, Takase M, Ma P, Muto Y, Higashi K, Fujiwara Y, Murayama H. Relationship between the perceived benefits of working and emotional exhaustion among older assistant care workers: A cross-sectional study. Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi. 2023 Jul 25;70(7):425-32. [In Japanese]
  43. Ma P, Sagara T, Sugiura K, Takase M, Nakamoto I, Muto Y, Higashi K, Fujiwara Y, Murayama H. Kounenrei kaigo joshu ni okeru shokugyou-sei stress oyobi social support to joucho-teki shoumoukan no kanren [Title in Japanese]. Journal of health and welfare statistics, 2023;70 (11), 9-15. [In Japanese]
  44. Sagara T, Takase M, Sugiura K, Nakamoto I, Ma P, Muto Y, Higashi K, Fujiwara Y, Murayama H. Current conditions and challenges of employing older assistant care workers based on geriatric health services facilities' scale. Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi. 2024 Mar 19;71(3):177-85. [In Japanese]
  45. Misaki S, Murayama H, Sugiyama M, Inagaki H, Okamura T, Ura C, Miyamae F, Edahiro A, Motokawa K, Awata S. Classification of community-dwelling older people based on their physical, mental, cognitive, and oral functions and comorbidities and its relationship with the fall history. Nippon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi 2023; 60(4): 364-372. [In Japanese]
  46. Matsuzaki H, Tsuji T, Nofuji Y, Kishimoto H, Chen T、Narazaki K. Kihon checklist wo mochiita youkaigoka risk hyouka shisaku no shisaku to yobiteki kenshou: 8 nenkan no zengouki ekigaku kenkyuu [Title in Japanese]. Journal of health and welfare statistics, 2023;70 (2), 9-16. [In Japanese]
  47. Sugiura K, Sagara T, Takase M, Nakamoto I, Ma P, Muto Y, Higashi K, Fujiwara Y, Murayama H. Examination of the relationship between tasks in geriatric health service facilities and benefits of working for older assistant care workers. Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi. 2024 Jul 23;71(7):337-48. [In Japanese]
  48. Fukuoka Y, Nishizawa H, Tatsuya Nishizawa E, Amagasa S, Murayama H, Fujiwara T, Inoue S, Shobugawa Y. A method for extracting common physical activity locations among older people from GPS and accelerometer data. IEEJ Trans Electron Inf Syst. 2024 Apr 1;144(4):309-15. [In Japanese]
  49. Mori H., Seino S., Yamashita M., Yokoyama Y., Ueda T., Kobayashi E., Uchida H., Fujiwara Y. Participation in "Kayoi-no-ba" and its associated factors among the old-old living in an urban environment: A study focusing on the impact of the spread of coronavirus disease-2019. Applied Gerontology. 2024;18 (1), 23-35. [In Japanese]