Follow-up of a Wuqinxi exercise at home programme to reduce pain and improve function for knee osteoarthritis in older people: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Exercise therapy is a key intervention in the management of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and recommended in international guidelines on KOA management. An effective home-exercise programme for frail older adults with KOA was successful in achieving high adherence. This randomised controlled trial was to compare the adherence to the exercise and lasting effects of follow-up 3 months. METHODS: Sixty-eight participants in the original Wuqinxi (WQX) exercise study were community dwelling older adults (age = 70.95 ± 9.85 years) with KOA were categorised into 34 controls group, 34 WQX group adherers. The Western Ontario and Mc Master Universities Osteoarthritis Index questionnaire score (WOMAC) pain and Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, 6-min Walk Test, 30-s chair stand test, isokinetic muscle strength testing of knee flexion and extension measured at pre-test and post-test of the intervention period and follow-up for two groups. RESULTS: The WQX group maintained or improved in all nine measures from post-test to follow-up, whereas the control group significantly declined in WOMAC pain, Knee extensor strength and Knee flexor strength. CONCLUSION: The WQX programme was an effective home-exercise programme that achieves high adherence in older adults with KOA who lived in these communities.

Effect of health Baduanjin Qigong for mild to moderate Parkinson's disease.

AIM: The present study investigated the effectiveness of Baduanjin Qigong on symptoms related to gait, functional mobility and sleep in Parkinson disease (PD) patients. METHODS: A total of 100 patients (age 67.53 ± 8.56 years, range 55-80 years) with mild to moderate PD were randomly assigned to two groups. Participants in the Baduanjin Qigong group (BQG) received a Baduanjin Qigong program, consisting of four 45-min sessions each week and daily walking 30 min for 6 months. Participants in the control group were carried out daily walking for 30 min. Pre- and post-intervention testing was carried out to assess sleep quality, fatigue, functional mobility and gait performance in these participants. RESULTS: After the 6-month Baduanjin Qigong intervention, the BQG showed sleep quality improvements in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score (P = 0.049), Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale-2 (PDSS-2) total score (P = 0.039), Motor Symptoms at Night (PDSS-2) score (P = 0.039), PD Symptoms at Night (PDSS-2) score (P = 0.029), Disturbed Sleep (PDSS-2) score (P = 0.037). The BQG showing functional mobility capacity greater improvements in the Berg Balance Scale (P = 0.041) and 6-minute walk test (P = 0.042), and greater decrease in the Timed Up & Go (s; P = 0.046). The BQG showing gait function increased in the gait speed (m/s; P = 0.011). However, this was not the case for the control group, which remained at the same level as pretest performance. CONCLUSIONS: BQG improved the gait performance, functional mobility and sleep quality in older adults with PD at the 6-month follow up. It is as an alternative home exercise program for older adults in rehabilitation for PD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 911-919.

Efficacy of Liuzijue Qigong in Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Remission.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of a 6-month Liuzijue qigong (LQG) program in promoting physical and psychosocial function in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN: Single-blind, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Seven hospital respiratory care centers in Beijing. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with COPD (N = 126; mean age 71.1 ± 2.7, range 65-85). METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: LQG (n = 63) and control (n = 63). Subjects in the LQG group received a LQG program consisting of four 45-minute sessions each week and daily walking for 30 minutes for 6 months. Control subjects walked daily for 30 minutes. Data collection was performed at baseline, at 6 weeks, and at 6 months. Primary outcomes involved functional capacity, and secondary outcomes involved quality of life. RESULTS: The LQG group had greater improvements in the 6-minute walk test (P = .02); specific airway conductance (P = .02); monitored functional task evaluation (P = .04); Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36; general health (P < .001), mental health (P = .03)); Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (dyspnea (P = .05), emotion (P = .05), and mastery (P = .04) at 6-month follow-up. After 6 months, the control group had significant improvement only on the SF-36 mental health (P = .02). CONCLUSION: LQG promoted functional capacity and quality of life in older adults with COPD at 6 months and is a good alternative home exercise program for older adults in the rehabilitation of COPD.