Open Access
Impact of medication use on olfactory performance in older adults
(Frontiers Media, 2025-04-03) Izco-Cubero, Maite; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Fernández González de la Riva, María Luisa; Santamaría Martínez, Enrique; Fernández Irigoyen, Joaquín; Lachén Montes, Mercedes; Lasarte, Juan José; Uzcanga Lacabe, María Iciar; Fernández, Secundino; Sanjurjo San Martín, Gloria; Maravi Aznar, Enrique; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Introduction: Olfactory dysfunction impacts quality of life, safety, and nutrition. Despite its relevance among older adults, the role of medications in influencing olfactory performance remains understudied. This research investigates whether olfactory alterations in older adults are associated with the type or number of medications prescribed. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted with 107 participants (mean age of 86.1 ± 5.1 years). Olfactory performance was evaluated using the Sniffin’ Sticks Test (SST). Functional capacity, cognitive function and the number and type of medications were also assessed. Results: The analysis demonstrated a correlation between better olfactory performance and higher cognitive function. An inverse correlation was found between the age of participants and olfactory identification. While polypharmacy (intake of five or more medications) did not show a significant association with olfactory dysfunction, the intake of laxatives was associated with poorer olfactory threshold performance (−1.21, 95% CI −2.07 to −0.34; p = 0.008). In contrast, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (1.14, 95% CI 0.07 to 2.21; p = 0.04) and vitamin D (1.09, 95% CI 0.03 to 2.15; p = 0.04) intake were linked to improved olfactory identification. Discussion: These findings suggest that certainmedications influence olfactory performance; however, further research is needed to clarify the effects of different drug classes on olfaction.
Open Access
Análisis del performance del fútbol inglés con inputs ex ante y ex post
(Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 2017) Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Lera López, Fernando; Iraizoz Apezteguia, Belén; Economía; Ekonomia
Hace más de cuatro décadas, Scully (1974) definió la representación convencional del proceso productivo de los clubes profesionales de fútbol. El output se mide en términos de éxito del equipo (victorias) y el input es el talento/calidad de los jugadores. Posteriormente se han desarrollado otros enfoques. Actualmente se considera que dicho proceso productivo está compuesto por dos etapas, que se pueden analizar de forma conjunta o separada. En la primera, la plantilla y el cuerpo técnico entrenan para mejorar sus aptitudes técnicas, tácticas, físicas y psicológicas, con el objetivo de desarrollar y mejorar jugadas durante un partido de fútbol. En la segunda, dichas jugadas, que deberían ser culminadas con goles, pueden convertirse en victorias, empates o derrotas para los equipos. Todo el proceso produce unos resultados deportivos y económicos. La desagregación del proceso productivo en dos etapas ha generado una controversia en la literatura en relación a la especificación de los inputs a considerar. Diversos trabajos (e.g., Dawson, Dobson, & Gerrard, 2000; Lee, 2006) sostienen que la manera correcta de analizar el proceso productivo es utilizando los denominados inputs ex ante, medidas de la calidad de la plantilla previas al comienzo de la temporada deportiva, como el valor de mercado de los jugadores o la valoración de los jugadores en ligas fantásticas (del Corral, 2012; Zambom-Ferraresi, Lera-López, & Iráioz, 2016). Sin embargo, otros trabajos (Espitia-Escuer & García-Cebrián, 2006; Zambom-Ferraresi, García-Cebrián, & Lera-López, 2017) utilizan inputs ex post que, en su mayor parte, son estadísticas del rendimiento deportivo de los equipos durante un partido. El objetivo de este trabajo es contribuir a esta discusión, para lo que se lleva a cabo un análisis empírico de las diferencias obtenidas en las estimaciones considerando ambos tipos de inputs.
Open Access
Determinants of sport performance in European football: what can we learn from the data?
(Elsevier, 2018) Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Ríos Ibáñez, Vicente; Lera López, Fernando; Economía; Ekonomia
Nowadays game-related statistics in the sports industry are demanded by coaches, players, managers, journalists, supporters, fans, video games developers, betting markets and academics. However, the employment of game related statistics to analyse performance in football (soccer) has inherent problems given it is a multifaceted and complex phenomenon. This study analyses the importance of a large number of possible determinants of sport performance in the 'Big Five' European football leagues during the period 2012/13-2014/15. To this end, Bayesian model averaging techniques and relative importance metrics are employed. The results obtained point to the existence of a set of robust determinants in sport performance. This set of drivers comprises (i) assists, (ii) shots conceded, (iii) saves made by the goalkeeper, (iv) the number of precise passes with respect to the total number of passes, and (v) shots on target. The results of the study support the idea that offensive actions are more relevant than defensive ones. In addition, we find the existence of some performance indicators that have usually been ignored by previous analyses, such as saves made by the goalkeeper and assists. These findings could help the decision-making process of the coaching, scouting and managerial units of football clubs. Finally, the modelling techniques employed in this context can be generalized to gain knowledge in other fields of knowledge to extract factors affecting complex problems from large data sets. This could be particularly interesting when previous research has not yet obtained a well-defined and robust set of factors explaining these complex problems.
Open Access
Olfactory characterization and training in older adults: protocol study
(Frontiers Media, 2021) Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Fernández Irigoyen, Joaquín; Lachén Montes, Mercedes; Cartas Cejudo, Paz; Lasarte, Juan José; Casares, Noelia; Fernández, Secundino; Cedeño Veloz, Bernardo Abel; Maravi Aznar, Enrique; Uzcanga Lacabe, María Iciar; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; Santamaría Martínez, Enrique; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
The aim of this article is to present the research protocol for a prospective cohort study that will assess the olfactory function and the effect of an intervention based on olfactory training in healthy very old adults (≥75 years old). A convenience sample of 180 older people (50% female) will be recruited in three different environments: hospitalized control group (CH) with stable acute illness (n = 60); ambulatory control group (CA) of community-based living (n = 60); and an experimental odor training group (EOT) from nursing homes (n = 60). The odor training (OT) intervention will last 12 weeks. All the volunteers will be assessed at baseline; CA and EOT groups will also be assessed after 12 weeks. The primary end point will be change in olfactory capacity from baseline to 12 weeks period of intervention or control. The intervention effects will be assessed with the overall score achieved in Sniffin Sticks Test (SST) – Threshold, Discrimination, and Identification (TDI) extended version. Secondary end points will be changes in cognitive tasks, quality of life, mood, immune status, and functional capacity. All these measurements will be complemented with an immune fitness characterization and a deep proteome profiling of the olfactory epithelium (OE) cultured ex vivo. The current study will provide additional evidence to support the implementation of olfactory precision medicine and the development of immunomodulatory nasal therapies based on non-invasive procedures. The proposed intervention will also intend to increase the knowledge about the olfactory function in very elderly people, improve function and quality of life, and promote the recovery of the health.
Open Access
Performance evaluation of European football
(2017) Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Lera López, Fernando; Economía; Ekonomia; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The main objective of this paper is to determine the technical efficiency of the sport through the analysis of a wide time horizon (10 seasons), and tries to provide useful information on the sources of the clubs’ inefficiency. This more robust analysis provides accurate, objective and relevant information, which can help in the decision making of coaches and managers, and thus lead to the improvement of football clubs’efficiency.
Open Access
Are football managers as efficient as coaches? Performance analysis with ex ante and ex post inputs in the Premier league
(Routledge, 2019) Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Iraizoz Apezteguia, Belén; Lera López, Fernando; Ekonomia; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE; Economía; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
There is a controversy on sport performance literature about what type of inputs might explain more deeply the performance of sports clubs (inputs specification controversy). By one side, several papers have analysed sports teams' performance using the match-related statistics or wages as inputs, well-known as ex post inputs. By other side, some authors have criticized the use of these ex post inputs, and recommend the use of ex ante inputs, as the market value of the players. We have analysed the performance of football teams estimating technical efficiency with three different inputs specification. The methodologies employed were data envelopment analysis (DEA) and a bootstrapped DEA. Our sample is composed by English Premier League football clubs, during three seasons (2012/13-2014/15). The DEA results indicate that the correlation between the three models is positive and significant. The DEA-bootstrapped results help to restate the robustness of the estimations and endorsed the inputs choices. The correlations of the estimations with market value and match-related statistics are the most striking (90% and 94%, DEA and bootstrapped DEA), which indicate that the existent discussion related to the use of match-related statistics as input is unjustified, because it does not affect significantly the efficiency estimations.
Open Access
Effectiveness of a multicomponent exercise training program for the management of delirium in hospitalized older adults using near-infrared spectroscopy as a biomarker of brain perfusion: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
(Frontiers Media, 2022) Lozano Vicario, Lucía; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Casa Marín, Antón de la; Ollo Martínez, Iranzu; López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel; Cedeño Veloz, Bernardo Abel; Fernández Irigoyen, Joaquín; Santamaría Martínez, Enrique; Romero Ortuno, Román; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Delirium is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults admitted to hospital. Multicomponent interventions targeting delirium risk factors, including physical exercise and mobilization, have been shown to reduce delirium incidence by 30–40% in acute care settings. However, little is known about its role in the evolution of delirium, once established. This study is a randomized clinical trial conducted in the Acute Geriatric Unit of Hospital Universitario de Navarra (Pamplona, Spain). Hospitalized patients with delirium who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to the intervention or the control group. The intervention will consist of a multicomponent exercise training program, which will be composed of supervised progressive resistance and strength exercise over 3 consecutive days. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) will be used for assessing cerebral and muscle tissue blood flow. The objective is to assess the effectiveness of this intervention in modifying the following primary outcomes: duration and severity of delirium and functional status. This study will contribute to determine the effectiveness of physical exercise in the management of delirium. It will be the first study to evaluate the impact of a multicomponent intervention based on physical exercise in the evolution of delirium.
Open Access
A feasibility study for implementation 'Health Arcade': a study protocol for prototype of multidomain intervention based on gamification technologies in acutely hospitalized older patients
(MDPI, 2020) Cuevas Lara, César; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; López Sáez de Asteasu, Mikel; Marín Epelde, Itxaso; Chenhuichen, Chenhui; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Ramírez Vélez, Robinson; García Hermoso, Antonio; Casas Herrero, Álvaro; Capón Sáez, Amaya; Lozano Vicario, Lucía; Criado Martín, Irene; Sánchez Latorre, Marina; Antoñanzas Valencia, Cristina; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The aim of this article is to present the research protocol for a study that will evaluate the feasibility of implementation of Health Arcade prototype multidomain intervention based on physical and cognitive training using gamification technologies at improving care for older people hospitalized with an acute illness. A total of 40 older people will be recruited in a tertiary public hospital at Pamplona, Spain. The intervention duration will be four to nine consecutive days. Additionally, the patients will receive encouragement for maintaining active during hospital stay and for reducing sedentary time. Primary implementation-related outcomes will be the adherence to treatment (i.e., number of games and days completed during the intervention period), reaction or response time, and number of success and failures in each game per day. Secondary implementation-related outcomes will be self-perceived grade of difficulty, satisfaction, enjoyment per game and session, and self-perceived difficulties in handling the prototype hardware. Other health-related outcomes will also be assessed such as functional capacity in activities of daily living, mood status, quality of life, handgrip strength, physical activity levels, and mobility. The current study will provide additional evidence to support the implementation of multidomain interventions designed to target older persons with an acute illness based on friendly technology. The proposed intervention will increase accessibility of in-clinical geriatrics services, improve function, promote recovery of the health, and reduce economic costs.
Open Access
Effects of an individualised exercise program in hospitalised older adults with cancer: a randomised clinical trial
(Springer, 2025-01-01) Ferrara, Maria Cristina; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Castillo, A.; Delgado, Marina; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; Arrazubi, Virginia; Morilla Ruiz, Idoia; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Fernández González de la Riva, María Luisa; Vera García, Ruth; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
We aimed to examine the effects of an individualised multicomponent exercise program on functional outcomes in hospitalised older patients with cancer. Patients aged ¿ 65 were recruited upon admission to a Medical Oncology Department and randomly allocated to receive a multicomponent exercise training program twice daily for five days or standard hospital care. The primary outcome measure was the change in functional status using the Short Physical Performance Battery. This study allocated 30 patients in the Control group and 28 in the intervention group. The mean age was 74.4 years. The intervention group (n = 14) showed significant improvements vs the Control group (n = 20) in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) (between-group difference, 1.92; 95% CI = 0.80,3.07), knee extension strength (between-group difference 7.72; 95% CI = 1.83,13.8), as well as a significant reduction in fatigue (between-group difference —26.5; 95% CI = —38.6,—13.9). This individualised exercise program appears to have contributed to improving functional abilities and reducing fatigue in hospitalised older cancer patients.
Open Access
Effects of immersive virtual reality stimulation and/or multicomponent physical exercise on cognitive and functional performance in hospitalized older patients with severe functional dependency: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
(BioMed Central (BMC), 2024-11-08) Casa Marín, Antón de la; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabíola; Ferrara, Maria Cristina; Ollo Martínez, Iranzu; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; González Glaría, Belén; Moral Cuesta, Débora; Marín Epelde, Itxaso; Chenhuichen, Chenhui; Lorente-Escudero, Marta; Molero-de-Ávila, Ródrigo; García Baztán, Agurne; Zambom Ferraresi, Fabrício; Martínez Velilla, Nicolás; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Background Hospital-associated functional decline affects nearly one-third of the hospitalized older adults. The aim of this trial is to investigate the effect of a cognitive stimulation intervention provided via immersive virtual reality (IVR), with or without a multicomponent physical exercise intervention (ME) in hospitalized patients aged 75 or older with severe functional dependency at admission (Barthel Index <60 points). Methods This clinical randomized controlled trial will be conducted in the Acute Geriatric Unit of a tertiary hospital in Spain. A total of 212 acute patients will be enrolled according to the following criteria: age ≥75, Barthel Index <60, able to collaborate, expected length of stay ≥5 days, absence of clinical instability and severe dementia (Global Deterioration Scale 7) or other end-stage disease. Patients will be randomly assigned to a control group (CG) or any of the three intervention groups (IG): IVR, ME, or IVR + ME. The IVR group will watch ad-hoc videos showing Spanish regional landscapes and villages, approximately 4 min per day for three consecutive days. The ME group will undergo aerobic and strength exercise for progressive training of the upper and lower limbs. The IVR + ME group will do both cognitive and physical intervention. The primary outcomes will be cognitive and physical measures at discharge. Mood, quality of life, isometric strength, and acceptance of IVR will be also assessed. Discussion This project has the potential to enhance physical and psychological well-being of patients with severe functional dependency hospitalized for acute conditions, using technology. Virtual reality is expected to be favourably perceived by hospitalized older adults. This intervention represents a novelty in the geriatric patients¿ care, comprising IVR and/or ME dispensed within the patient¿s room, and including patients who are commonly excluded from research clinical trials.