Tai Chi and meditation-plus-exercise benefit neural substrates of executive function: a cross-sectional, controlled study

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa D. Hawkes ◽  
Wayne Manselle ◽  
Marjorie H. Woollacott
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Neural Substrates ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Neural Function ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
P300 Event Related Potential

Abstract: We report the first controlled study of Tai Chi effects on the P300 event-related potential, a neuroelectric index of human executive function. Tai Chi is a form of exercise and moving meditation. Exercise and meditation have been associated with enhanced executive function. This cross-sectional, controlled study utilized the P300 event-related potential (ERP) to compare executive network neural function between self-selected long-term Tai Chi, meditation, aerobic fitness, and sedentary groups. We hypothesized that because Tai Chi requires moderate aerobic and mental exertion, this group would show similar or better executive neural function compared to meditation and aerobic exercise groups. We predicted all health training groups would outperform sedentary controls.: Fifty-four volunteers (Tai Chi, n=10; meditation, n=16; aerobic exercise, n=16; sedentary, n=12) were tested with the Rockport 1-mile walk (estimated VO: Only Tai Chi and meditation plus exercise groups demonstrated larger P3b ERP switch trial amplitudes compared to sedentary controls.: Our results suggest long-term Tai Chi practice, and meditation plus exercise may benefit the neural substrates of executive function.

scholarly journals Examining Bone, Muscle and Fat in Middle-Aged Long-Term Endurance Runners: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 522
Author(s):  
Ulrike H. Mitchell ◽  
Bruce Bailey ◽  
Patrick J. Owen
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Training ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Aerobic Exercise Training ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Endurance Runners ◽  
Total Body

Aerobic exercise training has many known cardiovascular benefits that may promote healthy aging. It is not known if long-term aerobic exercise training is also associated with structural benefits (e.g., lower fat mass, higher areal bone mineral density (BMD) and greater muscle mass). We evaluated these parameters in middle-aged long-term endurance runners compared to sex-, age-, height-, and weight-matched non-running controls. Total and regional lean and fat mass and areal BMD were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sagittal magnetic resonance images captured the cross-sectional area and thickness of the lumbar multifidus. Runners (n = 10; all male) had a mean (standard deviation; SD) age of 49 (4) years, height of 178.9 (4.9) cm, weight of 67.8 (5.8) kg, body mass index (BMI) of 21.4 (1.4) kg/m2 and had been running 82.6 (27.9) km/week for 23 (13) years. Controls (n = 9) had a mean (SD) age of 51 (5) years, height of 176.0 (5.1) cm, weight of 72.8 (7.1) kg, and BMI of 23.7 (2.1) kg/m2. BMI was greater in controls (p = 0.010). When compared to controls on average, runners had a 10 percentage-point greater total body lean mass than controls (p = 0.001) and 14% greater trunk lean mass (p = 0.010), as well as less total body (8.6 kg; p < 0.001), arm (58%; p = 0.002), leg (52%; p < 0.001), trunk (73%; p < 0.001), android (91%; p < 0.001), and gynoid fat mass (64%; p < 0.001). No differences were observed between groups for BMD outcomes or multifidus size. These results underscore the benefits of endurance running to body composition that carry over to middle-age.

scholarly journals Late follow-up of peripheral neural decompression in leprosy: functional and clinical outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (8) ◽  
pp. 716-723
Author(s):  
Liliane Marques de Pinho Tiago ◽  
Maria Fernanda Ferreira Barbosa ◽  
Diogo Fernandes dos Santos ◽  
Adelmo Divino Faria ◽  
Maria Aparecida Gonçalves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Results ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
Pain Scale ◽  
Surgical Decompression ◽  
Visual Analogue Pain Scale ◽  
Neural Function ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Visual Analogue Pain ◽  
Assessment Protocol

ABSTRACT Background: Peripheral neural surgical decompression (PNSD) is used as a complementary therapy to the clinical treatment of neuritis to preserve neural function. Objective: To evaluate the long-term (≥ 1 year) clinical and functional results for PNSD in leprosy neuritis. Methods: This cross-sectional study included leprosy patients who were in late postoperative period (LPO) of surgical decompression of ulnar, median, tibial, and fibular nerves. Socioeconomic, epidemiological, and clinical data were collected. The following instruments were used in this evaluation: visual analogue pain scale (VAS), Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4), SALSA scale, and simplified neurological assessment protocol. The preoperative (PrO) and 180-day postoperative (PO180) results were compared. Results: We evaluated 246 nerves from 90 patients: 56.6% were on multidrug therapy (MDT) and 43.3% discharged from MDT. Motor scores and pain intensity showed statistically significant improvement (p<0.01). There was an increase in sensory scores only for bilateral ulnar nerves (p<0.05). Of the operated cases, 26.0% of patients were referred for surgery of ulnar neuritis and 23.6% of tibial neuritis. Neuropathic pain was reported in 41% of cases. Daily dose of prednisone reduced from 39.6 mg (±3.0) in PrO, 16.3 mg (±5.2) in PO180, to 1.7 mg (±0.8) in LPO. The SALSA scale results showed mild activity limitation in 51% and moderate in 34% of patients. Eighty percent of individuals reported that the results reached their expectations. Conclusions: PNSD in leprosy was effective in the long term to decrease the prevalence and intensity of pain, improve motor function, and reduce the dose of corticosteroids, which is reflected in the patients’ satisfaction.

scholarly journals Determining Whether Tai Chi Chuan is Related to the Updating Function in Older Adults: Differences Between Experts and Novices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Yang ◽  
Tingting Chen ◽  
Xiaoxia Yuan ◽  
Xiaoke Zhong ◽  
Shoufu Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan ◽  
Novice Group ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Back Task

Abstract Background: Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is one effective method used to delay cognitive decline in older adults. However, the relationship between the long-term practice of TCC and the crucial working memory updating function of the brain in the elderly has not been comprehensively researched.Objective: This cross-sectional study explores how behavioral performance in a laboratory setting is related to long term practice of TCC on the updating function in older people using reaction times (RTs) of N-back tasks. Methods: 26 healthy elderly people participated in this experiment. According to the length of time TCC was practiced, 13 subjects in the TCC group had more than 5 years’ experience of TCC exercise, and 13 elderly subjects who had not been systematically exposed to mind-body exercise were assigned to the novice group. The N-back task was administered to every participant to evaluate the updating function. Results: The TCC group had faster RTs compared to the novice group (p<0.05); For the 1-back task, the TCC group showed faster RTs than the novice group. For the 2-back task, the novice group exhibited faster RTs than the TCC group. Conclusions: TCC experts exhibit greater updating function as compared to TCC novices. Long-term TCC appears to be positive associated with the updating function of older adults, making it an effective exercise to maintain cognitive function in the elderly.

scholarly journals Linear growth and intellectual outcome in children with long-term idiopathic subclinical hypothyroidism

2011 ◽  
Vol 164 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Cerbone ◽  
Carmela Bravaccio ◽  
Donatella Capalbo ◽  
Miriam Polizzi ◽  
Malgorazata Wasniewska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽  
Bone Age ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Bone Maturation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intellectual Outcome ◽  
Iq Scores ◽  
Design And Methods

ObjectiveThe treatment of children with subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is controversial for TSH values between 4.5 and 10 mU/l. The aim of this cross-sectional, controlled study was to evaluate growth and intellectual outcome in children with persistent SH who have never been treated with levothyroxine.Design and methodsClinical and auxological parameters, thyroid function, and intellectual outcome were evaluated in 36 children with persistent SH at the age of 9.7±0.6 (range 4–18.0) years. Children had been followed longitudinally for 3.3±0.3 (range 2.0–9.3) years, from first diagnosis of SH until enrollment in the study. Thirty-six age- and sex-matched children were enrolled in the study as controls.ResultsAt study entry, height (−0.8±0.2 SDS), bone age/chronological age (BA/CA ratio 0.92±0.6), and body mass index (BMI −0.1±0.2 SDS) in SH children were normal. Despite long-term duration of SH, none of these parameters showed a worsening with respect to height (−0.7±0.2 SDS), BA/CA (0.97±0.03), and BMI (−0.1±0.2) at the time of first SH detection. None of the children showed overt signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism during the follow-up.Verbal (99.1±2.2), performance (100.4±1.9), and full-scale (99.7±1.9) intelligence quotient (IQ) scores in SH children were normal and comparable to those of controls. No relationship was detected between IQ scores and the degree or duration of SH.ConclusionsPersistent SH in children is not associated with alterations in growth, bone maturation, BMI, and cognitive function or other complaints that could be ascribed to SH even after several years without therapeutic intervention.

Weaning Strategy of Diuretics in Outpatient Preterm Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A National Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keren Armoni Domany ◽  
Israel Amirav ◽  
Efraim Sadot ◽  
Nir Diamant ◽  
Dror Mandel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ◽  
Practice Patterns ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Wide Range

Objective Long-term diuretic treatment in patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is common despite lack of data that support its use. We aimed to characterize the commonly used diuretics weaning strategies for outpatient clinically stable preterm infants with BPD. Study Design We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey among all pediatric pulmonologists and neonatologists in Israel. Questionnaire included data regarding practitioners' different diuretics-weaning practice in this population. Results The response rate for pulmonologists and neonatologists were 35/50 (70%) and 36/120 (30%), respectively. When both oxygen and diuretics are used, 59% wean oxygen first and 32% wean diuretics first. If patients are solely on diuretics, 27% discontinue instantly, 34% decrease the dosage gradually, and 34% outgrow the discharge dosage. Significantly more pulmonologists decrease the dosage gradually, while more neonatologists discontinue at once (p < 0.001). Most participants (94%) reported being unsatisfied with the existing data and guidelines regarding these issues. Conclusion Our results showed a wide range of practice patterns in the weaning strategy of diuretics in outpatient preterm infants with BPD. Pulmonologists and neonatologists differ significantly in their weaning strategy. A prospective larger controlled study to explore the outcome of gradual tapering versus discontinuation without weaning is warranted. Key Points

scholarly journals Aerobic Exercise Intervention Alters Executive Function and White Matter Integrity in Deaf Children: A Randomized Controlled Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Xiong ◽  
Li-Na Zhu ◽  
Xiao-xiao Dong ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Jun Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
White Matter Integrity ◽  
Deaf Children ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Behavioral Performance

This study examined the effects of an 11-week aerobic exercise intervention on executive function (EF) and white matter integrity (WMI). In total, 28 deaf children (aged 9–13 years) were randomly assigned to either an 11-week exercise intervention or the control group. All the children had behavioral assessment and diffusion tensor imaging prior to and following the exercise intervention. The behavioral performance results demonstrated that EF was enhanced by exercise. Relative to the control group, WMI of the exercise intervention group showed (1) lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the pontine crossing tract (PCT) and right cingulum (hippocampus) (CH), genu of the corpus callosum (gCC), right inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP), left superior corona radiata (SCR), and left superior frontooccipital fasciculus (SFOF); (2) higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the gCC, right CH, right inferior frontooccipital fasciculus (IFOF), and left anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC); and (3) lower MD in the left ICP and left tapetum (TAP). Furthermore, the lower FA in gCC showed a significant negative correlation with improvement in behavioral performance, but the correlation was not significant after FDR correction. These results suggest that exercise can effectively improve deaf children’s EF and reshape the WMI in deaf children. The improved EF by exercise is not related to a reshaping of WMI, but more studies on the relationship between EF and WMI by exercise may be needed.

Aerobic Exercise Improves Mood, Cognition, and Language Function in Parkinson’s Disease: Results of a Controlled Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 878-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori J.P. Altmann ◽  
Elizabeth Stegemöller ◽  
Audrey A. Hazamy ◽  
Jonathan P. Wilson ◽  
Dawn Bowers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Language Production ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group

AbstractObjectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) results in a range of non-motor deficits that can affect mood, cognition, and language, and many of these issues are unresponsive to pharmacological intervention. Aerobic exercise can improve mood and cognition in healthy older adults, although only a few studies have examined exercise effects on these domains in PD. The current study assesses the effects of aerobic exercise on aspects of cognition, mood, and language production in people with PD. Methods: This study compares the effects of aerobic exercise to stretch-balance training and a no-contact control group in participants with idiopathic PD. The aerobic and stretch-balance groups trained three times a week for 16 weeks, while controls continued normal activities. Outcome measures included disease severity, mood, cognition (speed of processing, memory, and executive function), and language production (picture descriptions). Cognition and language were assessed in single and dual task conditions. Results: Depressive symptoms increased only in the control group (p<.02). Executive function improved in the aerobic exercise group only in the single task (p=.007) and declined in controls in the dual task. Completeness of picture descriptions improved significantly more in the aerobic group than in the stretch-balance group (p<.02). Conclusions: Aerobic exercise is a viable intervention for PD that can be protective against increased depressive symptoms, and can improve several non-motor domains, including executive dysfunction and related aspects of language production. (JINS, 2016, 22, 878–889)

Theoretical and Methodological Problems of a 10-Year Follow-Up Program Evaluation Study

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt A. Heller ◽  
Ralph Reimann
Keyword(s):  
Program Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Studies ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Partial Inclusion ◽  
Methodological Problems

Summary In this paper, conceptual and methodological problems of school program evaluation are discussed. The data were collected in conjunction with a 10 year cross-sectional/longitudinal investigation with partial inclusion of control groups. The experiences and conclusions resulting from this long-term study are revealing not only from the vantage point of the scientific evaluation of new scholastic models, but are also valuable for program evaluation studies in general, particularly in the field of gifted education.

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