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VOL. 5 ISSUE 8
Stay Safe, San Diego
SENIORS and CANNABIS
Seniors who use cannabis are more physically active than non-cannabis users By Michael Patterson NHA ,OTR/L, CEAS A study published in the July 2020 issue of American Journal of Health and Behavior found that persons over 60 years old who use cannabis exercise more and have a lower BMI than non-cannabis users. A link to the study can be found below: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/png/ajhb/2020/00000044/00000004/ art00005 Adults, over ager 50 are the fastest growing population of cannabis users in the United States, with people over 65 demonstrating the largest increase in usage. The reasons for cannabis use are varied, but typically center around some of the common complaints associated with aging, including pain. The more data demonstrating the benefits of cannabis for seniors, the better physicians and health care practitioners can use cannabis to decrease the symptoms of aging and increase quality of life for their patients. By age 75, approximately 33% of men and 50% of women are no longer physically active. This inactivity can decrease functional mobility and increase health problems related to being sedentary (muscle atrophy, increased falls, increased pain, decreased physical independence). The goal of the research was to understand if cannabis use impacted results of an intervention to increase physical activity in sedentary adults Local News > LocalUmbrellaNews.com
aged 60 and over. The study was performed by the University of Colorado-Boulder Department of Psychology and Neuroscience. It consisted of a FORCE study (FORCE- Fitness, Older Adults, and Resting State Connectivity Enhancement) in which adults 60 and over would be randomly assigned to either a low or moderate-intensity in a 16-week supervised exercise program. A total of 164 participants were included in the study. Participants were recruited through multiple methods including advertisements in senior community centers, ads on social media, and publication bulletins in AARP magazine. Data from the study showed the body mass index (BMI) for cannabis users was significantly lower than non-cannabis users (p=.007). Also, Cannabis users reported .70 more days of exercise /LocalUmbrellaMedia
on the Stanford 7-Day Physical Activity Recall than non-users (p=.068). Analysis The study clearly shows that the use of cannabis for Seniors does not inhibit but increases functional mobility, exercise, and overall physical activity. The study did not address the cannabis dosage per patient who used cannabis and the method of ingestion. Therefore, the standardization of a dose and method of ingestion of cannabis specific to each patient prior to exercise in unknown. However, from a physician standpoint, cannabis use continues to demonstrate positive outcomes and few side effects compared to traditional pharmaceutical medicines. From my experience in over 26 years of healthcare management (SNFs, ALFs, Home Health, outpatient), the longer a patient remains functionally independent in their daily living skills, the better the overall physiological and psychological health is for the patient. With over 350,000 medical cannabis patients currently in Florida, and new patients increasing 3,000-5,000 per week, the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes is not going away. This study provides more clarity and proof that cannabis is a safe and effective “tool’” of Physicians to increase functional mobility and quality of life for their patients.
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