scholarly journals Influence of Nordic Walking Training on Vitamin D Level in the Blood and Quality of Life Among Women Aged 65-74

Author(s):  
Szymon Podsiadło ◽  
Agnieszka Skiba ◽  
Anna Kałuża ◽  
Bartłomiej Ptaszek ◽  
Joanna Stożek ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction. Demographic forecasts indicate the progressive aging process of societies in all countries worldwide. The extension of life span may be accompanied by deterioration of its quality resulting from a decrease in physical activity, mental or even social performance, and a deficit in certain chemical compounds responsible for proper functioning of the body. Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a 12-week Nordic walking (NW) training intervention on the level of vitamin D in the blood and quality of life among women aged 65-74 years.Materials and methods. The study comprised 37 women aged 65-74 (x=68.08, SD=4.2). The subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups: experimental group (NW), which consisted of 20 women who underwent an intervention in the form of Nordic walking training for 12 weeks, and the control group (C), including 17 women who underwent observation. In the experimental group, training sessions were held 3 times a week for 1 hour. At that time, the C group was not subject to any intervention. The SF-36 questionnaire was used to measure quality of life. Vitamin D was assessed based on the results of biochemical blood tests. The analysed parameters were assessed twice - before and after the completed intervention or observation.Results. Comparison of the results regarding trials 1 and 2 allowed to note statistically significant improvement in quality of life for all health components and factors in the NW group. Analysis of vitamin D levels demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the NW group. In group C, no significant changes in the analysed parameters were observed.Conclusions. Regularly undertaking Nordic walking training significantly influences the improvement of self-evaluation regarding the components of physical and mental health, as well as the concentration of vitamin D in women aged 65-74 years.

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1146
Author(s):  
Szymon Podsiadło ◽  
Agnieszka Skiba ◽  
Anna Kałuża ◽  
Bartłomiej Ptaszek ◽  
Joanna Stożek ◽  
...  

Introduction. Demographic forecasts indicate the progressive aging process of societies in all countries worldwide. The extension of life span may be accompanied by deterioration of its quality resulting from a decrease in physical activity, mental or even social performance, and a deficit in certain chemical compounds responsible for proper functioning of the body. Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a 12-week Nordic walking (NW) training intervention on the level of vitamin D in the blood and quality of life among women aged 65–74 years. Materials and methods. The study comprised 37 women aged 65–74 (x = 68.08, SD = 4.2). The subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups: experimental group (NW), which consisted of 20 women who underwent an intervention in the form of Nordic walking training for 12 weeks, and the control group (C), including 17 women who underwent observation. In the experimental group, training sessions were held 3 times a week for 1 h. At that time, the C group was not subject to any intervention. The SF−36 questionnaire was used to measure quality of life. Vitamin D was assessed based on the results of biochemical blood tests. The analysed parameters were assessed twice-before and after the completed intervention or observation. Results. Comparison of the results regarding trials 1 and 2 allowed to note statistically significant improvement in quality of life for all health components and factors in the NW group. Analysis of vitamin D levels demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the NW group. In group C, no significant changes in the analysed parameters were observed. Conclusions. Regularly undertaking Nordic walking training significantly influences the improvement of self-evaluation regarding the components of physical and mental health, as well as the concentration of vitamin D in women aged 65–74 years.


Author(s):  
Bum-Jin Park ◽  
Chang-Seob Shin ◽  
Won-Sop Shin ◽  
Chung-Yeub Chung ◽  
Si-Hyung Lee ◽  
...  

Women experience more stress in middle age than in other life stages, and health in middle age is vital, because it influences the quality of life in old age. In this study, the effects of a forest therapy program on physiological changes in 53 middle-aged women (divided into two groups) who lived in the city were examined. One group participated in a three-day program in the forest, followed by three days in the city; the other group participated in a three-day program in the city, followed by three days in the forest. Forest experiments were conducted in a “healing forest,” and urban experiments were conducted near a university campus. Blood tests were performed to evaluate the physiological effects of forest therapy. Differences in serotonin levels and vitamin D levels were verified before and after the forest (experimental group) and urban (control group) programs through paired t-tests. Statistically significant increases in serotonin levels were noted for participants in the forest program; vitamin D levels also increased, but not by statistically significant values. The findings of this study verify that forest therapy programs promote health among middle-aged women, and may prevent disease and improve quality of life.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2784
Author(s):  
Ana Myriam Lavín-Pérez ◽  
Cristina Martín-Sánchez ◽  
Beatriz Martínez-Núñez ◽  
Luis Lucio Lobato-Rincón ◽  
Santos Villafaina ◽  
...  

Background: Eating disorders are characterized by a persistent disturbance that alters food intake and it is often accompanied by anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or reduced functional capacity and quality of life. Animal-assisted therapies (AAT) have shown benefits in these variables in children and adult populations. Thus, the present pilot study will aim to evaluate the effects of a dog-assisted therapy on the eating disorders symptoms, mental, psychosocial, and physical health, quality of life, and handgrip strength of adolescents suffering from eating disorders. Methods: The current pilot study will involve 32 patients, who will be assigned to a control or an experimental group. Intervention will be conducted once a week for seven weeks. Neither the experimental nor the control group will discontinue their usual care. The main outcome measures will be the eating disorder symptoms and the health-related quality of life measured with standardized questionnaires, while the secondary variables will be anxiety, depression, character, behavior, strength, and body mass. Conclusions: This pilot-controlled trial will be the first to evaluate the effects of dog-assisted therapy on the physical and mental health of adolescents with eating disorders. Significant improvements, in the primary and secondary outcomes, may be expected based on the known benefits of AAT on self-esteem, stress, and self-control in different populations. Finally, although the program is focused on the improvement of adolescents’ health, animal welfare will be a priority in this study.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheida Jabalameli ◽  
Hamid Taher Neshat Doost ◽  
Mohammad Bagher Kajbaf ◽  
Hossein Molavi

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It has been reported that psychological treatments like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective for patients with GAD. The purpose of the present research was to investigate the effectiveness of CBT on Quality of Life (QOL) and worry in patients with GAD. A sample of 30 patients with GAD who had been referred to psychiatry offices in Isfahan, Iran were selected and assigned into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15) randomly.  The experimental group received CBT in 8 weekly sessions. All participants completed the World Health Organization Quality Of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) at pretest, posttest and follow up. The results of MANCOVA showed that the mean scores of QOL in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group at the posttest and follow up (P<0.05) and the mean scores of worry in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group at the posttest and follow up (P<0.05) It is concluded that CBT can be applied for the patients with GAD as a useful psychological treatment. In general, CBT can improve QOL and decrease worry in patients with GAD.


Author(s):  
Edith Fitriyana Girsang ◽  
Aris Catur Bintoro ◽  
Dwi Pudjonarko

  THE CORRELATION BETWEEN VITAMIN D SERUM LEVELS WITH QUALITY OF LIFE IN EPILEPSY PATIENTABSTRACTIntroduction: Epilepsy affects overall health status and decreases the life quality of epilepsy patient. Seizure frequency, seizure type, daily activity disorder, depression and anxiety also affect the quality of life epilepsy patient. Vitamin D is considered as a neurosteroid modulator of nerve excitability and seizure susceptibility. Studies of vitamin D direct role in epilepsy are limited. Nevertheless, some studies show the role of vitamin D as an anticonvulsant that reduces the incidence of seizures.Aim: To determine the correlation between vitamin D serum levels with quality of life in epilepsy patient.Method: A cross sectional observational study on people with epilepsy in neurology clinic at Dr. Soeselo Hospital, Slawi, Dr Kariadi Hospital, and Tugurejo Hospital, Semarang in July 2017-January 2018. The quality of life was assessed with Quality of Life in Epilepsy 31 (QOLIE-31). Vitamin D serum levels measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Data were analyzed using Spearman test. Results were considered significant if p<0.05.Results: There was no correlation between vitamin D serum levels with quality of life in epilepsy. There was significant correlation between anxiety with quality of life and there were difference between age group with quality of life. Discussion: There was no correlation between serum vitamin D levels and  quality of life in epilepsy patient.Keywords: Epilepsy,quality of life epilepsy, vitamin DABSTRAKPendahuluan: Epilepsi mempengaruhi status kesehatan secara keseluruhan dan menurunkan kualitas hidup pasien epilepsi. Frekuensi bangkitan, tipe bangkitan, gangguan aktivitas harian, depresi dan ansietas, juga memengaruhi kualitas hidup pasien epilepsi. Vitamin D dianggap neurosteroid, sebagai modulator eksitabilitas saraf dan kerentanan bangkitan. Bukti langsung untuk peran vitamin D dalam epilepsi terbatas. Namun beberapa penelitian menunjukkan peran vitamin D sebagai antikonvulsan yang mengurangi kejadian bangkitan.Tujuan: Mengetahui hubungan kadar vitamin D serum dengan kualitas hidup pada pasien epilepsi.Metode: Penelitian potong lintang terhadap pasien epilepsi yang berobat ke Poliklinik Saraf RSUD Dr. Soeselo, Slawi, RSUP Dr. Kariadi, Semarang, dan RS Tugurejo, Semarang pada bulan Juli 2017-Januari 2018. Kualitas hidup dinilai menggunakan kuesioner Quality of Life in Epilepsy 31 (QOLIE-31), pengukuran kadar vitamin D serum menggunakan metode enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data dianalisis dengan uji Spearman, hasil dianggap bermakna jika p<0,05.Hasil: Tidak didapatkan hubungan antara kadar vitamin D serum dengan kualitas hidup serta domainnya pada pasien epilepsi. Didapatkan hubungan yang bermakna antara ansietas dengan kualitas hidup dan antara kelompok usia dengan kualitas hidup.Diskusi: Tidak terdapat hubungan bermakna antara kadar vitamin D serum dengan kualitas hidup pada pasien epilepsi.Kata kunci: Epilepsi, kualitas hidup, vitamin D


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
PARUL AGRAWAL ◽  
PRANAV PANDYA

Aim of the present study was to examine the effect of yogic practices in managing libidinal impulses among adolescents and improving their quality of life. Experimental and control group design was used. Eighty samples were collected through accidental sampling (40 in experimental group and 40 in control group) from Mother Teresa Public School, Delhi. The students those who had high levels of libidinal impulses were selected. The age of the subjects ranged from 14-19 years. The students in the experimental group were made to do yogic practices regularly for 40 days. Libidinal Impulses Scale and PGI General Wellbeing Scale were used. The obtained values of t-test for Libidinal Impulses and General Wellbeing are significant at 0.01 level of confidence. The  result  of  the  study  shows  that  yogic practices  are  significantly  effective  in  reducing  the  levels  of  libidinal impulses  and  improve the level of quality of life of adolescents.


2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 266-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Karen Moreira Antunes ◽  
Sérgio Garcia Stella ◽  
Ruth Ferreira Santos ◽  
Orlando Francisco Amodeu Bueno ◽  
Marco Túlio de Mello

OBJECTIVE: Mood disorders are a frequent problem in old age, and their symptoms constitute an important public health issue. These alterations affect the quality of life mainly by restricting social life. The participation in a regular exercise program is an effective way of reducing or preventing the functional decline associated with aging. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of fitness-endurance activity (at the intensity of Ventilatory Threshold 1 (VT-1)) in depression, anxiety and quality of life scores in seniors. METHODS: The study involved 46 sedentary seniors aged 60-75 (66.97 ± 4.80) who were randomly allocated to two groups: 1) Control group, which was neither asked to vary their everyday activities nor to join a regular physical fitness program; and 2) Experimental group, whose members took part in an aerobic fitness program consisting of ergometer cycle sessions 3 times a week on alternate days for six months working at a heart rate corresponding to ventilatory threshold (VT-1) intensity. Subjects were submitted to a basal evaluation using the geriatric depression screening scale - GDS, STAI trait/state (anxiety scale) and SF-36 (quality of life scale). RESULTS: Comparing the groups after the study period, we found a significant decrease in depressive and anxiety scores and an improvement in the quality of life in the experimental group, but no significant changes in the control group. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that an aerobic exercise program at VT-1 intensity suffices to promote favorable modifications in depressive and anxiety scores to improve the quality of life in seniors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Kiran Khushnood ◽  
Shafaq Altaf ◽  
Nasir Sultan ◽  
Malik Muhammad Ali Awan ◽  
Riafat Mehmood ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine the effects of Wii Fit exer-gaming on balance confidence, quality of life and fall risk in elderly population Methods: A double blinded randomized control was conducted at Kulsum International Hospital, Islamabad from July 31st to October 30th, 2018. Following screening, 90 subjects fulfilled inclusion criteria and gave consent to be part of trial. Subjects were randomly allocated into experimental and control group by concealed envelope method. After baseline assessment, experimental group received Wii fit gaming while controls received balance training for 30 minutes twice a week for 8 weeks. Activities balance confidence (ABC), Euro 5Q5L, timed up and go (TUG) and Fukuda were used as outcome measures. Data was analysed by SPSS 21. Results: ABC improved in experimental group from 76.47±3.69 to 86.53±3.99, and in control group from 77.51±3.01 to 82.70±2.78 with significance < 0.001. The components of Euro 5Q5L; mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression have changed with intergroup significance of 0.05, 0.006, 0.595, <0.001, 0.001 respectively. TUG and Fukuda improved in experimental and control group as 15.73±2.30 to 12.02±1.40 and 16.24±1.75 to 13.68±1.58 with significance <0.001, and from 41.78±6.to 71 to 30.09±8.05 and 43.36±5.59 to 38.68±5.75 with significance <0.001 respectively. Conclusion: Wii fit improves balance confidence and quality of life reducing fall risk in elderly. Clinical Trial Number: IRCT20180417039344N1 Keywords: Balance training, Elderly, Exer-gaming, Quality of life, Wii fit Continuous...


2016 ◽  
Vol 119 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayati Vohra ◽  
Kushal Madan ◽  
Manish Sharma ◽  
J.P.S Sawhney

Objectives: To study the effect of four weeks of aerobic exercise training, on sleep quality and quality of life parameters like anxiety, depression and physical functioning in Post Myocardial Infarction (MI) patients. Methods: ST elevated MI patients (n=21, <65years age) were voluntarily divided into 2 groups, control group (n=11) and exercising group (n=10). The patients in experimental group followed an exercise program of 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. The subjective quality of life, anxiety and depression levels were assessed by the SF 36 questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale (HAD scale) and the sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Poor sleep quality and short sleep duration was defined as PSQI > 5 and total sleep time <6hrs. respectively. After 4 weeks of the program the questionnaires were repeated for all 21 patients. Wilcoxon rank order test and Student T test were used. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant Results: Intergroup analysis showed statically significant reduction in anxiety score (9vs0.5) and depression score (3vs0) in exercise group as compared to control group respectively. As compared to control group, exercise group also showed statistically significant improvement in the quality of life parameter score [physical functioning (750vs1000), role functioning physical (0vs400) & emotional (0vs300), energy level (215vs400), emotional well-being (400vs500), social functioning (120vs200), general health (230vs462.5) & health changes (50vs100)]. Intra group analysis also showed significant changes only in exercise group. After 4 weeks of exercise training, PSQI score improved in the experimental group from 9.5±4.11 to 1.13±0.35 (p=0.00029) indicating better sleep quality and duration. While it remained comparable to the baseline values in the control group i.e. from 9.9±4.70 to 10.33±3.87 (p value= 0.514). Conclusion: Four weeks of exercise program improves the quality & duration of sleep and quality of life in MI patients after 2 weeks of index event.


2012 ◽  
pp. 1141-1160
Author(s):  
Prateek Shrivastava

Globally, only about a sixth of the 3 billion poor people of working age currently have access to formal financial services. This translates to 17% coverage of the market, leaving 83% under-served or “unbanked”. Addressing the needs of these people is the “self-sustaining approach” to microfinance. Mobile banking is one of the newest approaches to the provision of financial services made possible by the widespread adoption of mobile phones in low income countries. However, reports show that potential users may not be using these systems despite already being available. This study was conducted in 2008. It extends the Luarn & Lin mobile banking adoption model by adding two additional constructs: “Enhancement of image” and the “enhancement of quality of life by having access to financial service” to test the attitude toward mobile banking. In order to test these constructs, 11 hypotheses are proposed. The chapter successfully applies Luarn & Lin’s model in a new geographic and economic context. Consistent with their study, perceived usefulness, perceived credibility, perceived ease of use and perceived self-efficacy were found to be significant antecedents. Perceived financial costs, however, was found to have a positive relationship with attitude. This finding is diametrically opposite to Luarn & Lin’s study. Perceived enhancement to quality of life showed a strong relationship and Perceived enhanced image showed a weak relationship with the attitude toward mobile banking. The control group analysis showed the previously unbanked group (Mzansi) had the highest expectation of mobile banking and also found the idea most attractive. This study therefore concludes that mobile banking can indeed be a channel to reach out to low income groups.


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