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Experiences and coping strategies of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults with physio-cognitive decline syndrome: A qualitative study
Fang‐Wen Hu, Pei‐Lun Hsieh, Shang‐Yu Yang, Chih‐Kuang Liang. Geriatric Nursing, 2026-03-27
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Participant experiences and perceptions formed three themes: (1) aging accelerates PCDS progression, (2) PCDS threatening daily life, and (3) adapting to changes. These findings further delineate a four-phase PCDS process: Individual Perception (recognizing decline), Life Threat (impact on daily life), Adaptation (accepting reality), and Positive Coping (implementing management strategies). Correspondingly, participants developed coping strategies to mitigate physical and cognitive decline, seek professional assessment, and strengthen support systems. Middle-aged and older adults with PCDS face physical and cognitive declines, mobility limitations, psychological stress, and social isolation. They adopt coping strategies like health maintenance, cognitive training, and social participation. Family and social support systems play a crucial role in their coping processes, while seeking professional medical assistance and engaging in community activities further enhance their confidence in managing PCDS.
Key findings
- Participant experiences and perceptions formed three themes: (1) aging accelerates PCDS progression, (2) PCDS threatening daily life, and (3) adapting to changes.
- These findings further delineate a four-phase PCDS process: Individual Perception (recognizing decline), Life Threat (impact on daily life), Adaptation (accepting reality), and Positive Coping (implementing management strategies).
- Correspondingly, participants developed coping strategies to mitigate physical and cognitive decline, seek professional assessment, and strengthen support systems.
- Middle-aged and older adults with PCDS face physical and cognitive declines, mobility limitations, psychological stress, and social isolation.
- They adopt coping strategies like health maintenance, cognitive training, and social participation.
Why it matters
This qualitative study describes how middle-aged and older adults with physio-cognitive decline syndrome experience decline and adapt to it, and it does not test any treatment, cure or prevention. It suggests that coping strategies such as health maintenance, cognitive training, social participation and professional support may help people manage the condition, but it provides no evidence that these change the course of Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 36/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Geriatric Nursing) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Geriatric Nursing: journal h-index 78 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.5 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 6.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Chih‐Kuang Liang: h-index 30 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Kaohsiung Medical University: institution h-index 330 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 4 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41903448) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 36 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.103998
- PubMed: 41903448
- Original source →
- Free full text: Geriatric Nursing →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Hu, F., Hsieh, P., Yang, S., & Liang, C. (2026). Experiences and coping strategies of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults with physio-cognitive decline syndrome: A qualitative study. Geriatric Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.103998
Vancouver
Hu F, Hsieh P, Yang S, Liang C. Experiences and coping strategies of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults with physio-cognitive decline syndrome: A qualitative study. Geriatric Nursing. 2026. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.103998. PMID: 41903448.
BibTeX
@article{hu2026-41903448,
author = {Hu, Fang‐Wen and Hsieh, Pei‐Lun and Yang, Shang‐Yu and Liang, Chih‐Kuang},
title = {{Experiences and coping strategies of community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults with physio-cognitive decline syndrome: A qualitative study}},
journal = {Geriatric Nursing},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.103998},
pmid = {41903448},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.103998}
}
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