Effect of a Randomized Controlled Trial Walking Program on Walking, Stress, Depressive Symptoms and Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Elderly Korean Immigrants

PURPOSE: Despite well-known benefits of walking on cardiovascular health, no structured walking exercise program has been formally tested on elderly Korean immigrants (EKIs). This pilot randomized controlled trial study assessed the effect of a walking program on walking behavior (pedometer steps count), stress (cortisol), depressive symptoms (CESD-10), and cardiovascular disease biomarkers (hs-CRP and fibrinogen) via venipuncture in EKIs. METHODS: Seventy EKIs recruited from a Korean community were randomly assigned to a 12-week walking group or control group in a 3:2 ratio. The working program included a pedometer, buddy, monthly coffee card, weekly call for goal setting, and physical activity consultation. Walking group EKIs maintained the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended exercise guidelines and good mental health status over 12 weeks. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the outcomes between control and walking groups. CONCLUSION: Social networking with Koreans in the senior center and church from a well-established Korean community might have positive effects on mental health.

Beta-adrenoceptor blockade and cardiovascular response to the cold pressor test.

Seven healthy subjects immersed a hand in random order in either warm water or in cold water at 5 degrees C for 2 min, after taking orally a single dose of 120 mg of propranolol or a placebo in a double blind fashion. The cold stress resulted in a significant increase in blood pressure and the rate pressure product without a change in heart rate. Beta-adrenoceptor blockade did not affect the pressor response the cold. The changes induced by the cold stress in the cardiovascular variables in the placebo and propranolol experiments were not statistically different. The highest rate pressure product during the cold pressor test was about 109 units. This was well below the pain threshold value of about 200 found during exercise in patients with ischaemic heart disease. In the recovery phase, the cardiovascular variables reverted to pre-immersion values within 1 min inspite of continued low hand skin temperature.