Background: Balance disorders are common in the elderly and are a major cause of falls. This study aimed to determine the effect of acupressure on dynamic balance in elderly women.
Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 72 elderly women in Qazvin, Iran. The intervention group received rotary massage using the thumb at the pressure points for 4 weeks, 3 times a week for 20 minutes each session. Dynamic balance in both groups was measured before, 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention using timed up and go test and the step test. Data were analyzed using two way repeated measures ANOVA.
Results: The mean age of participants was 67.34 ± 6.30 with a range of 60 to 80 years old. The results showed statistically significant improvement in the dynamic balance quantified by timed up and go test (%Δ = 26.53) and step test for the right (%Δ = 35.22) and left (Δ% = 32.62) legs ( < .001). However, in the control group, no significant change was observed in the dynamic balance after completion of the program.
Conclusion: The results support that acupressure therapy can be an effective, safe, and inexpensive method to improve the dynamic balance and maintain maximum autonomy of the elderly.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0361073X.2020.1802981 | DOI Listing |
J Sports Med Phys Fitness
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Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Foro Italico University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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National Energy Metal Resources and New Materials Key Laboratory, Engineering Research Center of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Battery Materials, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Value-Added Metallurgy, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P. R. China.
Electrochemical CO reduction (CORR) in membrane electrode assembly (MEA) represents a viable strategy for converting CO into value-added multi-carbon (C) compounds. Therefore, the microstructure of the catalyst layer (CL) affects local gas transport, charge conduction, and proton supply at three-phase interfaces, which is significantly determined by the solvent environment. However, the microenvironment of the CLs and the mechanism of the solvent effect on C selectivity remains elusive.
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Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Molecule Intelligent Syntheses, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
Molecular dynamics simulations are pivotal in elucidating the intricate properties of biological molecules. Nonetheless, the reliability of their outcomes hinges on the precision of the molecular force field utilized. In this perspective, we present a comprehensive review of the developmental trajectory of the Amber additive protein force field, delving into researchers' persistent quest for higher precision force fields and the prevailing challenges.
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Quantitative Biology Group, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, Belgrade11000, Serbia.
Type II restriction-modification (R-M) systems play a pivotal role in bacterial defense against invading DNA, influencing the spread of pathogenic traits. These systems often involve coordinated expression of a regulatory protein (C) with restriction (R) enzymes, employing complex feedback loops for regulation. Recent studies highlight the crucial balance between R and M enzymes in controlling horizontal gene transfer (HGT).
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January 2025
Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
The contribution of the gut to the ingestion, production, absorption, and excretion of the extra ammonia and urea-N associated with feeding ("exogenous" fraction) has received limited prior attention. Analysis of commercial pellet food revealed appreciable concentrations of ammonia and urea-N. Long term satiation-feeding increased whole trout ammonia and urea-N excretion rates by 2.
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