Reliability and validity of the sequential weight-shifting test: a new functional approach to the assessment of the sitting balance of older adults.

[Purpose] The evaluation of sitting balance is important for the prevention of falls in older adults, especially those who have a disability involving the lower extremities. However, no studies have been designed to assess a patient's dynamic sitting balance using a sequential protocol. The objective of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the sequential weight-shifting (SWS) test.

Effects of Tai Chi training on postural control and cognitive performance while dual tasking - a randomized clinical trial.

Background: This single-blinded, randomized controlled study investigated the effects of practicing Tai Chi on the postural control and cognitive performance of older women while dual tasking.

Methods: Community-dwelling older women (n=31) were recruited from community centers. They were randomized to Tai Chi group (n=15, 12-form Yang style Tai Chi training) or a control group (n=16, general interest classes) for 16 weeks.

Reduced Cognitive-Motor Interference on Voluntary Balance Control in Older Tai Chi Practitioners.

Background And Purpose: Recent dual-task studies suggest that Tai Chi practitioners displayed better control of standing posture and maintained a quicker response time of postural muscle activation during a stepping down activity. Whether this effect extends to voluntary balance control, specifically the limits of excursion of the center of pressure, remains to be examined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cognitive-motor interference pattern by examining the effects of a concurrently performed cognitive task on attention of voluntary balance control in older adults who are long-term practitioners of Tai Chi.

The effects of practicing sitting Tai Chi on balance control and eye-hand coordination in the older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 3 months of sitting Tai Chi training on the sitting balance control and eye-hand coordination of older adults subjects.

Methods: We randomly assigned 59 older adults from four residential care facilities to either sitting Tai Chi group or mobilizing exercises group as control. The sitting Tai Chi group underwent 3 months of training with a total of 36 sessions (1 hour/session, 3 sessions/week).

Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of an instrumented functional reaching task using wireless electromyographic sensors.

The purpose of this study was to establish the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the electromyographic and accelerometric data sampled from the prime movers of the dominant arm during an antigravity, within-arm's length stand-reaching task without trunk restraint. Ten healthy young adults participated in two experimental sessions, approximately 7-10days apart. During each session, subjects performed 15 trials of both a flexion- and an abduction-reaching task.

Electrical acupoint stimulation of the affected arm in acute stroke: a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: To determine whether adding electrical stimulation of upper limb acupoints to conventional rehabilitation during acute stroke could produce greater and longer lasting motor improvements of the arm.

Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Acute stroke wards, followed by rehabilitation hospitals and subjects' residences.

Tai Chi practitioners have better postural control and selective attention in stepping down with and without a concurrent auditory response task.

To compare the performance of older experienced Tai Chi practitioners and healthy controls in dual-task versus single-task paradigms, namely stepping down with and without performing an auditory response task, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the Center for East-meets-West in Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. Twenty-eight Tai Chi practitioners (73.6 ± 4.

Effects of aging and tai chi on a finger-pointing task with a choice paradigm.

Background. This cross-sectional study examined the effect of aging on performing finger-pointing tasks involving choices and whether experienced older Tai Chi practitioners perform better than healthy older controls in such tasks. Methods.

Effect of externally cued training on dynamic stability control during the sit-to-stand task in people with Parkinson disease.

Background: Previous studies have shown that people with Parkinson disease (PD) have difficulty performing the sit-to-stand task because of mobility and stability-related impairments. Despite its importance, literature on the quantification of dynamic stability control in people with PD during this task is limited.

Objective: The study objective was to examine differences in dynamic stability control between people with PD and people who were healthy and the extent to which externally cued training could improve such control during the sit-to-stand task in people with PD.

An adjunct intervention for management of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Objectives: Application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over acupuncture points (Acu-TENS) is a noninvasive intervention that has recently been shown to alleviate dyspnea in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This case report aims to explore the role of Acu-TENS in patients diagnosed with COPD during the acute exacerbation.

Study Design: The study design was a case report.

Tai Chi, arterial compliance, and muscle strength in older adults.

Background: Aerobic exercise can alleviate the declines in arterial compliance common in older adults. However, when combined with strength training, aerobic exercise may not reduce arterial compliance. Tai Chi practice has been found to improve muscle strength and cardiopulmonary function in older subjects, but whether or not it improves arterial compliance is not known.

Effects of Tai Chi training on arterial compliance and muscle strength in female seniors: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Exercise which can improve muscle strength while not compromising arterial compliance is especially needed for older adults. Tai Chi practitioners are known to have better than average arterial compliance and muscle strength. This study was designed to establish a cause and effect relationship between Tai Chi training and both increased arterial compliance and increased muscle strength.

Acute Effects of Acu-TENS on FEV1 and Blood Β-endorphin Level in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background Pharmacotherapy is the mainstay of dyspnea management in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Undesirable side effects have led to the application of alternative treatment strategies such as acupuncture. Our previous study showed that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation over acupuncture points (Acu-TENS), a noninvasive modality, can reduce dyspnea symptoms in patients with COPD, but the underlying mechanism is unknown.

Effects of Tai Chi on pre-landing muscle response latency during stepping down while performing a concurrent mental task in older adults.

To investigate whether elderly Tai Chi practitioners are better able to descend a step while performing a concurrent mental task than non-practitioners. The design includes cross-sectional study. The setting includes university-based rehabilitation center.

Golfers have better balance control and confidence than healthy controls.

In a well-executed golf swing, golfers must maintain good balance and precise control of posture. Golfing also requires prolonged walking over uneven ground such as a hilly course. Therefore, repeated golf practice may enhance balance control and confidence in the golfers.

Acu-TENS and Postexercise Expiratory Flow Volume in Healthy Subjects.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation over acupoints (Acu-TENS) facilitates recovery of resting heart rate after treadmill exercise in healthy subjects. Its effect on postexercise respiratory indices has not been reported. This study investigates the effect of Acu-TENS on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) in healthy subjects after a submaximal exercise.

Do older t'ai chi practitioners have better attention and memory function?

Objectives: Cognitive declines are common in older people and can be a major health issue in an aging world. One type of body-mind exercises, t'ai chi, can be a possible means to help maintaining older adults' cognitive abilities, in addition to beneficial effects of physical exercises. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether t'ai chi practitioners had better attention and memory functions than older people with or without regular exercises.

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation on acupoints combined with task-related training to improve motor function and walking performance in an individual 7 years poststroke: a case study.

Background And Purpose: Impaired walking function and spasticity are common sequelae of stroke. Prior studies have shown that a rehabilitation program combining transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) with task-related training (TRT) improves motor function in individuals with stroke. However, it is unclear if this approach is beneficial for individuals with long-standing stroke.

Effect of 4 weeks of Acu-TENS on functional capacity and beta-endorphin level in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Our recent studies showed that one session of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on acupoints (Acu-TENS) improved forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV(1)) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigated the effect of 4-week Acu-TENS on physical and psychosocial function in these patients. Twenty-eight patients were randomly allocated to receive 4-weeks of 45-min, 5-days/week, of either Acu-TENS (over Dingchuan), Placebo-TENS (same protocol without electrical output), or Sham-TENS (over the patellae).

Static and dynamic balance control in older golfers.

Purpose: To determine whether older golfers have better static and dynamic balance control than older but nongolfing healthy adults.

Methods: Eleven golfers and 12 control participants (all male; 66.2 +/- 6.

Stability limits, single-leg jump, and body awareness in older Tai Chi practitioners.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University-based rehabilitation center.

Participants: Tai Chi practitioners (n=24; age+/-SD, 68.

Does the use of TENS increase the effectiveness of exercise for improving walking after stroke? A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To investigate whether surface electrical stimulation can increase the effectiveness of task-related exercises for improving the walking capacity of patients with chronic stroke.

Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Setting: Home-based programme.

Effect of Acu-TENS on post-exercise expiratory lung volume in subjects with asthma-A randomized controlled trial.

This study examined the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation applied over acupoints (Acu-TENS) on forced expiratory volume, in patients with asthma, after exercise. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to three groups. Group 1 received Acu-TENS over acupuncture points Lieque and Dingchuan for 45 min prior to a symptom-limited treadmill exercise test.