ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Research translating the evidence for the benefit of mind-body exercise in older Latinos with limited access to community-based healthy aging programs is sparse. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of Function Improvement Exercises for Older Sedentary Community-Dwelling Latino Residents (FITxOlder), a Community Health Worker (CHW)-led, mobile technology-facilitated Chinese Qigong mind-body exercise program for healthy aging and to explore its impact on physical and cognitive function and quality of life (QoL) in older community-dwelling low-income Latino adults. METHODS: This study was designed as a Stage 1 feasibility study to develop and pilot-test FITxOlder. In Phase 1 (Stage 1A), a working group of seniors, CHWs, and senior center staff guided the adaptation of Chinese Qigong into a healthy aging program. In Phase 2 (Stage 1B), 49 older Latino adults participated in a 3-arm controlled study to test the feasibility and preliminary effect of CHW-led FITxOlder on physical and cognitive function and QoL measures over 16 weeks. RESULTS: Although the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the implementation of the study protocol, we found favorable results regarding participant recruitment, retention, and fidelity of implementation. Notable findings included an 89.3% participant retention, 79.4% of the participants completed at least 70% of the weekly exercise goal, and no report of adverse events. The effects on intervention outcome measures were modest. CONCLUSIONS: FITxOlder is feasible for promoting healthy aging in older Latino adults; future research needs to compare its feasibility with other low-impact exercise programs for healthy aging using a randomized controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04284137; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04284137.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of intradermal needle therapy combined with Tuina on lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients of lumbar disc herniation were treated with intradermal needle combined with Tuina. Trundle, rub the lumbar region for relaxing the lumbar muscles; pull and extend the lumbar region with traction and vibration, and pull the loin afterward and obliquely pull the loin, followed by compulsory straight-leg raising test, stretching sciatic nerve and hamstring muscle. Finally, rubbing method was used for relaxing the muscles of the lumbar and back regions. After Tuina therapy, intradermal needle embedding at local Ashi points, and Shenshu (BL 23), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Zhibian (BL 54), Fengshi (GB 31), Yanglingquan (GB 34). The treatment was given once other day, 5 times constituting one course. After 2 courses therapeutic effects were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and two cases were cured, 22 cases were markedly effective, 18 cases improved and 8 cases were ineffective, with a total effective rate of 94.7%. The symptom cumulative scores before and after treatment were (31.73 +/- 2.67) and (9.16 +/- 1.20), respectively, significantly decreasing (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Intradermal needle combined with Tuina has a better clinical therapeutic effect on lumbar disc herniation.
