RESUMO
Background. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese medicine exercise used for improving neuromuscular function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Tai Chi versus proprioception exercise program on neuromuscular function of the ankle in elderly people. Methods. Sixty elderly subjects were randomly allocated into three groups of 20 subjects per group. For 16 consecutive weeks, subjects participated in Tai Chi, proprioception exercise, or no structured exercise. Primary outcome measures included joint position sense and muscle strength of ankle. Subjects completed a satisfaction questionnaire upon study completion in Tai Chi and proprioception groups. Results. (1) Both Tai Chi group and proprioception exercise group were significantly better than control group in joint position sense of ankle, and there were no significant differences in joint position sense of ankle between TC group and PE group. (2) There were no significant differences in muscle strength of ankle among groups. (3) Subjects expressed more satisfaction with Tai Chi than with proprioception exercise program. Conclusions. None of the outcome measures on neuromuscular function at the ankle showed significant change posttraining in the two structured exercise groups. However, the subjects expressed more interest in and satisfaction with Tai Chi than proprioception exercise.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare and evaluate the cost and effectiveness of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) at emergency plus octreotide versus octreotide alone in the treatment of acute esophageal variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with active variceal bleeding under emergency endoscope, were assigned to two groups receiving either combined therapy of EVL at emergency and octreotide ('EVL' group) or a continuous infusion of octreotide alone ('octreotide' group). Both efficacy and cost-effectiveness were observed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in patients' characteristics, supporting treatment or general treatment. In group EVL, there appeared a significantly higher rate in controlling bleeding and lower complication rate than that of octreotide group(94.4% vs.78.6%, P = 0.045 and 19.4% vs. 42.9%, P = 0.027, respectively). Early rebleeding and mortality rate were also lower in group EVL, but with no significant differences between them (2.9% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.358 and 5.6% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.205, respectively). The combined therapy had a significantly shorter time of hemostasis, less administration of octreoid, fewer units of blood transfusion and shorter hospital stay (P < 0.001). The median costs of the combined therapy and octreotide alone were RMB 9046.5 Yuan and 13 743.6 Yuan,respectively (P = 0.045). The cost-effective ratio of group EVL seemed superior to that of octreoid group. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic scheme of emergency EVL plus octreotide was a more cost-effective one for controlling acute esophageal variceal bleeding.
