scholarly journals A 10-week judo-based exercise programme improves physical functions such as balance, strength and falling techniques in working age adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Arkkukangas ◽  
Karin Strömqvist Bååthe ◽  
Anna Ekholm ◽  
Michail Tonkonogi

Abstract Background Falls and fall-related injuries are major threats not only for older adults but also for younger age groups such as working-age adults. It has been shown that it is possible to reduce the risk of falls and fall-related injuries, to some extent. However, interventions aiming at reducing both the risk of falls and mitigating fall-related injuries through teaching safe falling techniques are still sparsely investigated. The aim with this study was to investigate the effect of a 10-week workplace-based judo inspired exercise programme (Judo4Balance). The measures in the study include physical functions, fall-related self-efficacy and safe falling techniques. Methods A total of 142 working-age adults participated in this non-randomised controlled study. The participants were allocated to the Judo4Balance group (n = 79), or to a waiting list control group (n = 63). The mean age was 47 years (18–68). The recruitment period was from May 2018 to October 2019. A total of 128 participants were included in the analysis. Logistic Regression models were used to analyse the outcomes: physical function, balance and fall-related self-efficacy as well as falling techniques (backwards and forwards). Results At the 10-week follow-up, the results displayed significant differences between the two groups in all measurements, except for the fall-related self-efficacy with OR = 1.8. Techniques for falling forwards and backwards displayed the highest OR = 124.1 and OR = 98.9. Physical function and balance showed OR = 3.3 and OR = 6.4. Conclusions This exercise programme under study displayed significant differences in strength, balance and safe falling techniques between the groups. It is suggested that these functions, which were studied here, can effectively be trained in working-age adults by using the Judo4Balace exercise programme. Thus, it may be beneficial to further investigate and include training in proper falling techniques when designing fall prevention exercise programmes. Furthermore, it may be a novel way of addressing fall-related injuries, which are of utmost importance to prevent in near future. Trial registration NCT04294342. Registered 4 March 2020 - The Impact of Specifically Adapted Judo-based Training Program on Risk Factors for Falls Among Adults - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov

Author(s):  
D. R. Bouchard ◽  
J. V. Olthuis ◽  
V. Bouffard-Levasseur ◽  
C. Shannon ◽  
T. McDonald ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A peer-led exercise program is one way to empower people sharing similar characteristics to encourage others to be active, but there is a lack of evidence that these programs have physical function and other benefits when delivered to ageing adults. Methods This randomized controlled trial lasting 12 weeks proposed an exercise peer-led program offered to 31 adults aged 50 and above, twice a week, by a trained leader of the same age from March to May 2019. The program was offered for free with limited space and equipment. Valid tests of physical function (e.g., 30-s chair stand, 6-min walk test) were used to assess the functional benefits. Psychosocial outcomes were assessed using self-reported questionnaires and metabolic outcomes via a fasted blood draw. Results A significant difference was found between pre-and post-values in most physical function tests in the intervention group (all p < 0.05). When adjusted for potential confounders, the intervention group was significantly associated with a more significant improvement on the chair stand test (ß = .26; p < 0.001; r2 = 0.26), the arm curl (ß = .29; p < 0.001; r2 = 0.49), as well as the 6-min walk test (ß = -.14; p < 0.001; r2 = 0.62) compared with the control group. Using repetitive measures generalized linear model, the interaction between the changes and the group was significant for all three tests. Benefits were also observed for participants’ stress level and perceived health in the intervention group compared to the control. Finally, no significant difference was observed between groups for metabolic health. Conclusions The current work suggests that a 12-week peer-led exercise program can improve physical function for adults age 50 and above. Trial registration NCT03799952(ClinicalTrials.gov) 12/20/2018.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2833
Author(s):  
Bartłomiej Ptaszek ◽  
Aneta Teległów ◽  
Justyna Adamiak ◽  
Jacek Głodzik ◽  
Szymon Podsiadło ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to examine and assess the impact of a series of 20 whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) treatments on the biochemical and rheological indices of blood in people with multiple sclerosis. In this prospective controlled study, the experimental group consisted of 15 women aged 34–55 (mean age, 41.53 ± 6.98 years) with diagnosed multiple sclerosis who underwent a series of whole-body cryotherapy treatments. The first control group consisted of 20 women with diagnosed multiple sclerosis. This group had no intervention in the form of whole-body cryotherapy. The second control group consisted of 15 women aged 30–49 years (mean age, 38.47 ± 6.0 years) without neurological diseases and other chronic diseases who also underwent the whole-body cryotherapy treatment. For the analysis of the blood indices, venous blood was taken twice (first, on the day of initiation of whole-body cryotherapy treatments and, second, after a series of 20 cryotherapy treatments). The blood counts were determined using an ABX MICROS 60 hematological analyzer (USA). The LORCA analyzer (Laser–Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer, RR Mechatronics, the Netherlands) was used to study the aggregation and deformability of erythrocytes. The total protein serum measurement was performed using a Cobas 6000 analyzer, Roche and a Proteinogram-Minicap Sebia analyzer. Fibrinogen determinations were made using a Bio-Ksel, Chrom-7 camera. Statistically significant differences and changes after WBC in the levels of red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), elongation index, total extend of aggregation (AMP), and proteins (including fibrinogen) were observed. However, there was no significant effect of a series of 20 WBC treatments on changes in blood counts, rheology, and biochemistry in women with multiple sclerosis. Our results show that the use of WBC has a positive effect on the rheological properties of the blood of healthy women.


ISRN Nursing ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Ratanasiripong ◽  
Nop Ratanasiripong ◽  
Duangrat Kathalae

Purpose. It has been well documented that nursing students across the world experience stress and anxiety throughout their education and training. The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the impact of biofeedback intervention program on nursing students' levels of stress and anxiety during their first clinical training. Methods. Participants consisted of 60 second-year baccalaureate nursing students. The 30 participants in the biofeedback group received training on how to use the biofeedback device to assist in stress and anxiety management for 5 weeks while the 30 in the control group did not receive any training. Findings. Results indicated that the biofeedback group was able to maintain the stress level while the control group had a significant increase in the stress level over the 5-week period of clinical training. Additionally, the biofeedback group had a significant reduction in anxiety, while the control group had a moderate increase in anxiety. Conclusions. The better the nursing students can manage their stress and anxiety, the more successful they can be in their clinical training. Ultimately, the more psychologically healthy the nursing students are, the more likely they will flourish and graduate to become productive and contributing members of the nursing profession.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matías E. Rodríguez-Rivas ◽  
Adolfo J. Cangas ◽  
Daniela Fuentes-Olavarría

Stigma toward mental disorders is one of today's most pressing global issues. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the barriers to social inclusion faced by individuals with mental disorders. Concurrently, stigma reduction interventions, especially those aimed at university students, have been more difficult to implement given social distancing and campus closures. As a result, alternative delivery for programs contributing to stigma reduction is required, such as online implementation. This paper reports the results of a controlled study focused on an online multi-component program on reducing stigma toward mental illness that included project-based learning, clinical simulations with standardized patients and E-Contact with real patients. A total of 40 undergraduate students from the Universidad del Desarrollo in Santiago, Chile, participated in the study. They were randomly divided between an intervention and control group. The intervention group participated in the online multi-component program, while the control group participated in an online educational program on cardiovascular health. We assessed the impact of the program by using the validated Spanish-language versions of the Attribution Questionnaire AQ-27 and the Questionnaire on Student Attitudes toward Schizophrenia with both groups, before and after the intervention. In addition, an ad hoc Likert scale ranging from 0 to 5 was used with the intervention group in order to assess the learning strategies implemented. Following the intervention, the participants belonging to the intervention group displayed significantly lower levels of stereotypes, perception of dangerousness, and global score toward people with schizophrenia (p &lt; 0.001). In addition, participants presented lower levels of dangerousness-fear, avoidance, coercion, lack of solidarity, and global score (p &lt; 0.001). The control group displayed no statistically significant differences in the level of stigma before and after the evaluation, for all of the items assessed. Finally, the overall assessment of each of the components of the program was highly positive. In conclusion, the study shows that online programs can contribute to reducing stigma toward mental disorders. The program assessed in this study had a positive impact on all the dimensions of stigma and all of the components of the program itself were positively evaluated by the participants.


Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 388
Author(s):  
I-Cheng Lu ◽  
Shu-Hung Huang ◽  
David Vi Lu ◽  
Chun Dan Hsu ◽  
Sheng Hua Wu

Background and objectives: Patients often suffer from moderate to severe pain during the early recovery period in orthopedic surgery. We investigated the impact of a single-shot preoperative peripheral nerve block (PNB) on post-anesthesia recovery parameters and interleukin (IL)-6 level during limb surgery. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted, and patients scheduled for limb surgery were recruited. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to either the PNB group or control group, who received morphine as a primary analgesic. The peak verbal numeric rating scale (NRS) score in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) was evaluated as a primary outcome. We also recorded rescue analgesics requirement and wake-up time from anesthesia in the PACU. In addition, the change of plasma IL-6 level after incision was measured. Results: Fifty-two patients completed the study, 27 and 25 cases in the PNB and control group, respectively. Preemptive PNB significantly reduced peak NRS score in the PACU compared to control group. Lower rescue analgesics requirement and rapid wake-up from anesthesia were also noted in PNB group. The IL-6 concentration increased less in the PNB group at 2 h after incision. Conclusions: Preemptive PNB attenuates IL-6 expression 2 h after incision and improves pain management in the PACU. PNB was considered as an essential part of pain management in limb surgery.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-255
Author(s):  
Brandon L. Gray ◽  
Samuel Gaster ◽  
Christina Early ◽  
Amanda Reed

Purpose Healthcare professionals work in high stress environments and may benefit from organizational efforts that enhance coping abilities. Community-based psychological first aid (CBPFA) is an evidence-informed program designed for building these skills and promoting resilience during stressful times. However, few studies have examined the effectiveness of CBPFA. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This study examined the effectiveness of CBPFA training in promoting occupational self-efficacy and intentions to use CBPFA among oncology care staff over time using a longitudinal design. Findings Participants reported increased occupational self-efficacy and intentions to use CBPFA skills after completing training. These factors remained stable at one-month follow-up. Research limitations/implications The implications of these results are limited by the lack of a control group in the study’s design, relatively homogenous sample and participant dropout. Originality/value Despite the study’s limitations, these results represent an initial step in empirically examining the impact of CBPFA trainings and providing evidence that CBPFA may be an effective preparedness and development program in high-stress healthcare settings.


2002 ◽  
Vol 87 (8) ◽  
pp. 3667-3671 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Krassas ◽  
N. Pontikides ◽  
V. Deligianni ◽  
K. Miras

The aim of this prospective controlled study was to ascertain the effect of hyperthyroidism on sperm quality and composition. We studied 23 thyrotoxic male patients, aged 43.8 ± 2.4 yr (mean ± sem), and 15 healthy male controls of approximately the same age (42.2 ± 2.2 yr). Two semen analyses at intervals of 2–3 wk were obtained before and about 5 months after euthyroidism was achieved either by methimazole alone (14 patients) or 131I plus methimazole (9 patients). Total fructose, zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg) were also measured in seminal plasma in 16 patients, because 7 had semen volume less than 2 ml. In the control group semen analysis was performed only once. Mean (±sem) semen volume was within normal range both in patients (3.3 ± 0.2 ml) and controls (3.5 ± 0.4 ml; P = NS). Mean sperm density was lower in patients, although the difference compared with controls did not reach statistical significance (35.7 ± 5.3 vs. 51.5 ± 6.1 × 106/ml; P = 0.062). The same was found with sperm morphology (68 ± 7% vs. 78 ± 8%; P = NS). Finally, mean motility was lower in thyrotoxic males than in controls (28 ± 8% vs. 57 ± 7%; P &lt; 0.01). After treatment, sperm density and motility improved [35.7 ± 5.3 vs. 43.3 ± 6.5 × 106/ml (P = NS) and 28 ± 8% vs. 45 ± 7% (P &lt; 0.05), respectively], but sperm morphology did not change (68 ± 7% vs. 70 ± 6%; P = NS). Mean values for fructose, Zn, and Mg did not differ between controls and patients either before or after achievement of euthyroidism [9.2 ± 0.7, 3.0 ± 0.5, and 4.2 ± 0.7 nmol/liter vs. 8.6 ± 0.9, 3.0 ± 0.5, and 4.7 ± 0.8 nmol/liter (patients before) and 9.1 ± 0.7, 3.1 ± 0.6, and 4.5 ± 0.9 nmol/liter (patients after treatment) for fructose, Zn, and Mg, respectively]. Moreover, according to the treatment given, no statistically significant differences were found before or after treatment. Finally, seminal plasma fructose, Zn, and Mg levels did not correlate with sperm parameters or with pretreatment thyroid hormone levels. In conclusion, the results of our study indicate that male patients with hyperthyroidism have abnormalities in seminal parameters, mainly sperm motility. These abnormalities improve or normalize when the patients become euthyroid. Restoration of sperm parameters was independent of the treatment provided for the hyperthyroid syndrome. Moreover, seminal plasma elements, such as fructose, Zn, and Mg, did not correlate with sperm density, motility, or morphology.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 117954411988493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneli Teder-Braschinsky ◽  
Aare Märtson ◽  
Marika Rosenthal ◽  
Pille Taba

Objectives: Deteriorating functionality and loss of mobility, resulting from Parkinson’s disease, may be worsened by osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of joint disease causing pain and functional impairment. We assessed the association between symptomatic hip or knee osteoarthritis, falls, and the ability to walk among patients with Parkinson’s disease compared to a control group. Methods: A total of 136 patients with Parkinson’s disease in Southern Estonia and 142 controls with an average age of 76.8 and 76.3 years, respectively, were enrolled in a retrospective case-control study. Information on falls and related fractures during the previous year was collected from the patients with Parkinson’s disease and controls. Covariates included gender, age, mobility, duration of Parkinson’s disease, and fractures. Results: Patients with Parkinson’s disease were at an increased risk of falls compared to the control group, and for the higher risk of fractures. Symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis was a significant independent predictor of falls in both patients with Parkinson’s disease and controls. The higher risk for fractures during the previous year was demonstrated in symptomatic osteoarthritis. Risk factors for falls included also female gender, use of sleep pills, and the inability to walk 500 m. Conclusions: Symptomatic hip and knee osteoarthritis are risk factors for falls and related fractures among the elderly population with and without Parkinson’s disease. The inability to walk 500 m could be used as a simple predictive factor for the increased risk of falls among elderly populations.


2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin R. Mazzoni ◽  
P. Lynn Purves ◽  
Julie Southward ◽  
Ryan E. Rhodes ◽  
Viviene A. Temple

The impact of a six-week indoor wall climbing on the perceptions of self for children with special needs aged 6–12 years was explored. Participants (n = 46) were randomly assigned to the intervention (girls, n = 4; boys, n = 19) and control groups (girls, n = 5; boys, n = 18). Belayers’ and children’s perceptions of efficacy were measured using specifically designed questionnaires and perceptions of competence and global self-worth were measured using Harter’s (1985) Self-Perception Profile for Children for participants with an adaptive age of 8 years or higher. Children’s self-efficacy and belayers’ ratings of children’s efficacy improved significantly, t(21) = 3.9, p = .001, d = .84 and F(2, 44) = 30.03, p < .001, respectively. The children’s judgments of their athletic and social competence and global self-worth, however, did not change over time or differ from the wait-listed control group (p > .05). These results suggest that it is likely that many experiences that enhance self-efficacy may be needed to improve self-perceptions.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 4591-4591
Author(s):  
Selim Corbacioglu ◽  
Simone Cesaro ◽  
Maura Faraci ◽  
Bernd Gruhn ◽  
Jaap J Boelens ◽  
...  

Background Acute GvHD (aGvHD) remains one of the most significant complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with a persistently high incidence despite a plethora of prophylactic approaches. The medical need for effective drugs to prevent aGvHD remains substantial. Methods A prospective, randomized, open-label controlled study has been conducted in 356 children at high-risk for hepatic VOD post-HSCT to demonstrate efficacy of prophylaxis with defibrotide (DF) to reduce the incidence of VOD (180 in the DF arm and 176 in the control arm [Corbacioglu, Lancet 2012]). A secondary objective of the study was to analyze the impact of DF prophylaxis on the incidence and severity of aGvHD. Among children undergoing allogeneic HSCT (allo-subset) 122 patients received DF prophylaxis and 117 were in the control arm. Results Demographic and baseline characteristics were similar in the DF and control arm of the allo-subset. Mean age (± SD) was 6.47±5.28 and 6.54±5.49 in DF arm and in the controls respectively, with 29% and 30% being <2 years; 64% and 58%, respectively, were males. Busulfan was used in conditioning in 62% and 64% of patients in the two arms, and melphalan in 60% and 53%, respectively. Grafts were from related donors in 40% and 30%, respectively, in DF and control arm. Prophylaxis with DF was shown to significantly reduce the occurrence and severity of aGvHD. At day+100 post-HSCT the incidence of aGvHD was 47% in the DF arm vs. 65% in the control group (p=0.0046). DF did not seem to affect the incidence of aGvHD grade I (25% vs 28%, respectively). However, Defibrotide showed a consistent reduction of the more severe grade II–IV aGvHD from 37% to 22% (p=0.0130). Of note the use of corticosteroids was significantly lower in patients receiving DF prophylaxis (37% vs 48% in control arm, p=0.0363), likely reflecting the lower incidence of aGvHD in the DF arm. This has also previously been observed in the treatment studies [Richardson, ASH 2012]. Standard GvHD prophylaxis was allowed according to best practice and was generally comparable (cyclosporine A: 81% vs. 89%; methotrexate: 46% vs. 56%; in DF and control arm, respectively). However, there was a difference in patients who received antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in the DF arm compared to controls (55% vs 70%). Exploratory analysis performed adjusting for ATG as covariate confirmed the significant effects of defibrotide [Adjusted Risk Difference (DF vs control) for aGvHD grade II–IV: -0.1470 (95%CI: -0.2618; -0.0322), p =0.0121]. Defibrotide did not seem to interfere with a graft-versus-leukemia effect. Relapse rates of combined leukemias were 8% (ALL 1.5%, AML 5%, others 1.5%) in DF group compared with 10% (ALL 3%, AML 7%) in controls by day +100; while 10% (ALL 1.5%, AML 7%, others 1.5%) patients in DF group relapsed by day +180 compared with 13% (ALL 8%, AML 5%) in the control arm. Conclusions The study shows that DF prophylaxis can reduce the incidence and severity of aGvHD in children undergoing allogeneic HSCT. This reduction observed with defibrotide is additional to standard GvHD prophylaxis that was fully implemented in these patients. Defibrotide has been reported to protect endothelial cells from damage as well as to downregulate heparanase activity. These clinical data would therefore suggest a benefit of defibrotide to reduce the incidence and severity of aGvHD. Further studies may be conducted to strengthen preclinical and clinical evidence for the role of defibrotide in aGvHD prevention. Ref: Corbacioglu S et al, Lancet 2012; 379:1301-9. Richardson PG et al, Blood 2012; 120:738. Disclosures: Corbacioglu: Gentium : Consultancy. Cesaro:Pfizer SpA: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Merck: Honoraria. Tudone:Gentium : Employment. Ballabio:Gentium : Employment. Heringa:Gentium S.p.A.: Employment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document