Comparative Effectiveness of Aerobic Exercise Versus Yi Jin Jing On Reproductive Health In Young Overweight/Obese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Study Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common heterogeneous endocrine disease among women of childbearing age, affecting women throughout life on their reproductive, metabolic and cardiovascular health, as well as psychological health. Aerobic exercise is an important solution used to manage PCOS, due to its multiple benefits. Yi Jin Jing is an important component of traditional Chinese exercise (TCE), based on the root of traditional Chinese medicine theory (TCM), which focuses on keeping the body as a whole in a harmonious state. However, to date there is no literature on the benign effects of Yi Jin Jing on PCOS. The primary purpose of this protocol is to assess the effectiveness of aerobic exercise versus Yi Jin Jing, on the management of PCOS-related reproductive health in young overweight/obese women.Methods: The study will conduct a three-armed parallel-group of a randomized controlled trial, recruiting 90 women diagnosed with PCOS, ages between 18 and 35 years, with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23 kg/m2. Women will be randomly assigned to either control group (combined oral contraceptives) or one of the intervention groups (Yi Jin Jing group or aerobic exercise group) with an allocation rate of 1:1:1. The intervention will be conducted within a 12-week period. The primary outcomes would be anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level and menstrual frequency; the secondary outcomes would be biochemical profiles, ovarian volume, antral follicle count, BMI and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Outcome measures would be collected during baseline and end of treatment. Reporting of the study will follow the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) statement.Discussion: This proposed study will be the first randomized clinical trial to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of aerobic exercise versus Yi Jin Jing on the management of PCOS-related reproductive symptoms in young overweight/obese women. The results will provide a new evidence-based management strategy for young women with PCOS. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trail Registry, ID: ChiCTR1900022385. Registered on 9 April 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/listbycreater.aspx.

Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Chinese Exercises on Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. The number of patients with musculoskeletal pain, which seriously affects people’s quality of life, has increased. Traditional Chinese exercises are accepted and practiced to strengthen the body. Objective. This study aims to explore the efficacy of traditional Chinese exercises for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Methods. A comprehensive search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to traditional Chinese exercises on patients with musculoskeletal pain was completed using PubMed, SinoMed, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Med Online databases. All RCTs published until February 2021 were considered. Two researchers independently screened the literature according to the predesigned inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data was extracted and assessed for their risk of bias via the Cochrane collaboration tool. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.2 and Rx64 4.0.2 software. Results. A total of 45 RCT studies with 3178 patients were included. Traditional Chinese exercises were able to effectively alleviate patients with musculoskeletal pain (MD = −1.54, 95% confidence interval (−1.88, −1.19), P < 0.01). Among them, the Yi Jin Jing exercise was superior to other exercises, while Wu Qin Xi showed no significant effects. Besides, traditional Chinese exercises had significant positive effects on the dysfunction and stiffness of the waist and knee joints. Traditional Chinese exercises could effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of patients with musculoskeletal pain. Particularly, the Yi Jin Jing exercise presented the most significant positive effect on pain reduction.

Translation and Study of the “Tendon Transformation Classic” (Yi Jin Jing)

The article includes the first complete and annotated translation of the “Tendon Transformation Classic”, the fundamental treatise in the tradition of spiritual-somatic practice specific for China. Both by its language and contents, the Yi Jin Jing which connects medicine, spiritual self-cultivation and martial art occupies a unique place in the history of Chinese civilization, hence its interpretation encounters some special difficulties. Until now complete translation and systematic study of this scripture has not appeared in Western literature. The author analyzes the historical and cultural background of this unusual text and various legends related to it. Translation is accompanied by textual notes. The most salient feature of the “Tendon Transformation Classic” is the idea of the natural and hence innate unity of spiritual and physical dimensions of human individual. Interestingly, the proofs for this thesis were ascribed to the legendary founder of the Chan school in Chinese Buddhism Bodhidharma (in Chinese Damo). The main link between psychic and biological plans of human existence according to the authors of the Yi Jin Jing is fascia (mo). A special attention is paid to the meaning of this original concept in Chinese medicine and somatic psychology as well as its relation to the idea of nurturing “life energy” (qi) and organic unity of “inner” and “outer” strength etc. The article reveals this scripture’s importance for the evolution of the bio-spiritual practice in China and contradictions inherent in it.

A Pilot Study on the Effects of Yi Jin Jing Exercise for Older Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia and its associated lower urinary tract symptoms seriously affect both the physical and mental health of older men. In order to determine the efficiency of Chinese Qigong Yi Jin Jing on prostate health in older individuals, thirty participants were randomized into either an Yi Jin Jing group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). After the 6-month intervention, the Yi Jin Jing group showed a significant decrease in international prostate symptom score and a significant increase in maximal urinary flow rate (compared with the control group p = .005, p = .001, respectively). Also, testosterone level increased and estrogen/testosterone ratio decreased in the Yi Jin Jing group (compared with the baseline p = .004, p = .002, respectively); estrogen level and estrogen/testosterone ratio were lower in the Yi Jin Jing group (compared with the control group p = .029, p = .012, respectively). The results showed that Yi Jin Jing is a promising way to reduce the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia-lower urinary tract symptoms in older men.

The Beneficial Effect of Traditional Chinese Exercises on the Management of Obesity

This paper systematically reviewed the clinical update of traditional Chinese exercises in the treatment of simple obesity in recent years and discussed their specific advantages in this aspect. This review focused on several typical traditional Chinese exercises, namely, Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing, Wu Qin Xi, Shaolin Neigong, and Liu Zi Jue, which all showed clinical beneficial effect on the treatment of simple obesity with their own characteristics. To optimize the clinical therapeutic effect of these traditional Chinese exercises, we need to seek the most appropriate exercise or the combo exercise based on the characteristics of different obese population, to improve the efficiency of weight loss, reduce sports injury, and consolidate the therapeutic effect. In the future, we need to further evaluate the efficacy of sitting exercise, lying exercise, and static training in the treatment of simple obesity, subdivide the treatment population, and explore the working mechanism of these traditional Chinese exercises.