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  1. Kasim NF, Veldhuijzen van Zanten J, Aldred S
    Exp Gerontol, 2020 07 01;135:110925.
    PMID: 32184194 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.110925
    Frailty affects the quality of life of older age adults by limiting mobility, reducing physiological reserve and reducing independence. The frailty phenotype is typically characterised by exhaustion, loss or lack of physical activity, weight loss and weakness, although more recently there have been proposals to extend the frailty criteria to include physiological characteristics such as inflammation, oxidative stress and vascular function. Exercise has the potential to prevent, delay or even reverse frailty, but not all exercise is perceived as suitable for an older age population. The purpose of this study was to test Tai Chi and Zumba Gold® as exercise interventions in older age adults (65 to 75 years old) to improve characteristics related to the frailty phenotype. Muscle strength and flexibility (functional fitness as a measure of weakness), cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure, vascular function (FMD), markers of oxidative stress (total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, 8-isoprostane, protein carbonyl), inflammation (CRP) and aspects of wellbeing related to exhaustion were assessed at baseline (pre-), 6 weeks (mid-) and 12 weeks (post-intervention). Both Tai Chi and Zumba Gold® improved systolic blood pressure, vascular function, and functional fitness following the 12 week intervention to a similar extent. Furthermore Antioxidant capacity was significantly increased (303 ± 15.56 vs. 336 ± 18.82 μm; p = 0.0028) and lipid oxidation significantly reduced (36.41 ± 6.4 vs 13.49 ± 2.5 pg/ml; p = 0.0042) after 12 weeks of Tai Chi compared to baseline. Anxiety, physical and mental fatigue decreased in both groups, with a greater decrease in mental fatigue in the Tai Chi group. Taken together, these changes suggest that Tai Chi has the potential to reduce outcomes related to the extended frailty phenotype in older age adults.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tai Ji*
  2. Klein PJ, Schneider R, Rhoads CJ
    Support Care Cancer, 2016 07;24(7):3209-22.
    PMID: 27044279 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-016-3201-7
    PURPOSE: This review (a) assesses the strength of evidence addressing Qigong therapy in supportive cancer care and (b) provides insights for definition of effective Qigong therapy in supportive cancer care.

    METHODS: This mixed-methods study includes (a) a systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) following PRISMA guidelines and (b) a constant-comparative qualitative analysis of effective intervention protocols.

    RESULTS: Eleven published randomized clinical trials were reviewed. A total of 831 individuals were studied. Geographic settings include the USA, Australia, China, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Qigong therapy was found to have positive effects on the cancer-specific QOL, fatigue, immune function, and cortisol levels of individuals with cancer. Qigong therapy protocols varied supporting a plurality of styles. Qualitative analyses identified common programming constructs. Content constructs included exercise (gentle, integrated, repetitious, flowing, weight-bearing movements), breath regulation, mindfulness and meditation, energy cultivation including self-massage, and emphasis on relaxation. Logistic constructs included delivery by qualified instructors, home practice, and accommodation for impaired activity tolerance.

    CONCLUSIONS: There is global interest and a growing body of research providing evidence of therapeutic effect of Qigong therapy in supportive cancer care. While Qigong therapy protocols vary in style, construct commonalities do exist. Knowledge of the common constructs among effective programs revealed in this research may be used to guide future research intervention protocol and community programming design and development.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tai Ji/methods*
  3. Goon JA, Noor Aini AH, Musalmah M, Yasmin Anum MY, Wan Ngah WZ
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Oct;63(4):319-24.
    PMID: 19385493 MyJurnal
    Effect of Tai Chi exercise on the level of DNA damage using the comet assay, lymphocyte viability and frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) were determined in adults aged above 45. Tai Chi participants of 7 years (n=35), showed higher level of normal DNA and lower level of mild and severely damaged DNA as compared to the sedentary subjects (n=35). The former are suggested to have effective DNA repair mechanism as their frequency of SCE was markedly lower. Higher lymphocyte apoptosis and proliferation found in the Tai Chi participants also indicated that the exercise promotes renewal and regeneration of lymphocytes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tai Ji*
  4. Liao SJ, Chong MC, Tan MP, Chua YP
    Geriatr Nurs, 2018 08 31;40(2):154-159.
    PMID: 30173939 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.08.001
    Depression leads to a poorer quality of life (QOL) which is a determinant of healthy ageing. Cost-effective solutions for enhancing QOL in the older population are much needed in China, with its rapidly ageing population. We conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 112 community-dwelling older participants with mild to moderate depression, to evaluate the effect of Tai Chi with music on QOL (57 in intervention group, 55 in control group). WHO Quality of Life-BREF was used to measure QOL at baseline and at every month for three months. Following the adjustments for sociodemographic data, the effect of intervention on QOL was assured (F = 25.145, P 
    Matched MeSH terms: Tai Ji*
  5. Liao SJ, Tan MP, Chong MC, Chua YP
    Issues Ment Health Nurs, 2018 May;39(5):398-402.
    PMID: 29436896 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2017.1417519
    BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of pharmacological treatment may be limited in older persons. Several studies using Tai Chi or music therapy separately confirmed positive effects in the reduction of depressive symptoms. We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the possible synergistic effect of combined music and Tai Chi on depressive symptoms.

    METHODS: One hundred and seven older adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms were recruited from Ya'an city. Fifty-five participants were cluster randomized to combined music and Tai Chi group for three months, while the other fifty-two individuals were randomized to the control group that entailed routine health education delivered monthly by community nurses. The primary outcome of depressive symptoms was measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) at baseline and monthly for three months.

    RESULTS: At three-month follow-up, a statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms was found in the intervention group compared with control group (F(3,315) = 69.661, P < 0.001). Following adjustments for socio-demographic data, the true effect of intervention on depressive symptoms was significant (F = 41.725, P < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.574).

    CONCLUSIONS: Combined music and Tai Chi reduced depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older persons. This represents an economically viable solution to the management of depression in highly populous developing nations.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tai Ji*
  6. Bai X, Xiao W, Soh KG, Agudamu, Zhang Y
    PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0293483.
    PMID: 37883372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293483
    Healthy aging is a global goal to enhance the quality of life for older persons. This study evaluated the benefits of 12-week concurrent brisk walking and Taijiquan. Healthy Chinese women aged 60 years and above were enrolled to the control (n = 26) and intervention (n = 25) groups. Participants in the intervention group engaged in three exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks, whereas control group engaged in free-living activities. Each exercise session consisted of 20-45 minutes of walking and 20-45 minutes of Yang style 24-form Taijiquan. 12-week exercise improved (p < 0.05) the sit and reach test (within-group mean difference: +5.6 cm; Hedges' g = 0.77), handgrip strength (mean difference: +3.1 kg; g = 0.89), arm curl (mean difference: +2.1 repetitions; g = 0.69), chair stand (mean difference: +2.6 repetitions; g = 0.63), and one-legged standing (mean difference: +2.2 seconds; g = 1.07). There was no improvement in the circulatory health, body composition, or life satisfaction. Therefore, this concurrent brisk walking and Taijiquan training, which targets major whole-body muscle groups, could improve aging-critical flexibility, muscular fitness, and balance in older women. The exercise meets the current WHO guideline, is safe to perform, and could be campaigned as a health promotion for older persons.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tai Ji*
  7. Goon JA, Aini AH, Musalmah M, Anum MY, Nazaimoon WM, Ngah WZ
    J Phys Act Health, 2009 Jan;6(1):43-54.
    PMID: 19211957
    BACKGROUND: The biochemical mechanisms involving oxidative stress to explain the relationship between exercise and healthy aging are still unclear.

    METHODS: Tai Chi participants and matched sedentary volunteers age 45 and above were enrolled. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities; levels of DNA damage using the comet assay; and malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced glycation end products (AGE) were determined at 0, 6, and 12 months.

    RESULTS: Tai Chi subjects had decreased normal and increased mildly damaged DNA with elevated GPx activity after 6 months (n=25). Plasma MDA and AGE concentrations decreased significantly after 12 months (n=15) accompanied by increased SOD activity. This may be attributed to the hormesis effect, whereby mild induction of oxidative stress at the first 6 months of exercise resulted in stimulation of antioxidant defenses. These parameters were unchanged in the sedentary subjects in the first 6 months (n=27) except for elevated SOD activity. After 12 months, the sedentary subjects (n=17) had decreased normal DNA and increased severely damaged DNA with unaltered MDA and AGE levels while SOD and GPx activities were significantly elevated.

    CONCLUSION: Regular Tai Chi exercise stimulated endogenous antioxidant enzymes and reduced oxidative damage markers.

    Matched MeSH terms: Tai Ji*
  8. Ramli A
    JUMMEC, 2007;10(1):29-33.
    MyJurnal
    Little is known of Malaysian older people’s participation in physical activities, and the purpose of this pilot study is to explore their participation and the barriers. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 80 eligible respondents at the Kuala Lumpur Health Clinic of which 70 responded. Thirty-six (51.4%) were males and 34 (48.6%) were females. There were 26 (37.1%) Malays, 20 (28.6%) Chinese, 18 (25.7%) Indians and 6 (8.6%) of other ethnic groups. Forty (57.1%) took part in some form of physical activities and the remaining 30 (42.9%) reported no participation at all. The Chinese participated actively in physical activities (90%), followed by Indians (66.7%) and Malays (30.8%). The five common activities were walking (60%), tai chi (20%), gardening (12.5%), stretching (2.5%) and cycling (5.0%). Identified barriers to physical activities were lack of time (26.7%), having health problems (26.7%), was already fit (26.7%), no companion to exercise with (13.3%) and no exercise knowledge (6.7%). These findings indicated that emphasis should be given to the females and the Malay ethnic group when planning physical activity education for the older people as they were identified to be the least active groups.
    Study site: Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Tai Ji
  9. Maryam Farooqui, Mohamed Azmi Hassali, Aishah Knight Abdul Shatar, Asrul Akmal Shafie, Muhammad Aslam Farooqui, Fahad Saleem, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Objectives: Prayers, spiritual healing, yoga, meditation, t'ai chi, qigong and support groups are classified as mind body complementary therapies (MBCTs). The study aimed to examine the prevalence of MBCTs use and the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a group of Malaysian cancer patients.
    Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted on 184 cancer patients at the oncology clinic of Penang general hospital, Malaysia. MBCTs was assessed using a self- administered questionnaire while the HRQoL of the participants was assessed by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30).
    Results: Among the complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) users, 75(40.7%) patients self-reported using MBCTs while having cancer. Majority of MBCTs users were female 60(80%, p=0.01), aged between 38 and 57 (58%), and were of Malay ethnicity (61%). Socio-demographic factors including age (r=0.15, p=0.03) and monthly house-hold income (r= -0.25, p<0.001) were significantly correlated with MBCTs use. Prayers for health reasons was the most frequently practised MBCTs modality, followed by spiritual practices 20(10.8%), meditation 7(5.9%), t'ai chi 7(3.8%), music therapy 4(2.1%), qigong 1(0.5%), hypnotherapy 1(0.5%), and reiki 1(0.5%). Recommendations from friends and family members 53(70%) were the most common reasons of MBCTs use followed by patient's own will 22(29.3%). Health related Quality of Life (HRQoL) scores showed significant difference in all functional and symptoms scores among MBCTs users and non-users (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study helps to identify numerous MBCTs commonly practised by a group of Malaysian cancer patients. Prayers specifically for health reasons and spiritual practices were somewhat common among patients. Viewing MBCTs, not as alternative but to complement conventional cancer therapies may help to address cancer patients' emotional and psychological needs.
    Study site: Oncology clinic, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Tai Ji
  10. Mat S, Tan MP, Kamaruzzaman SB, Ng CT
    Age Ageing, 2015 Jan;44(1):16-24.
    PMID: 25149678 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afu112
    INTRODUCTION: osteoarthritis (OA) of knee has been reported as a risk factor for falls and reduced balance in the elderly. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of physical therapies in improving balance and reducing falls risk among patients with knee OA.
    METHODS: a computerised search was performed to identify relevant studies up to November 2013. Two investigators identified eligible studies and extracted data independently. The quality of the included studies was assessed by the PeDro score.
    RESULTS: a total of 15 randomised controlled trials involving 1482 patients were identified. The mean PeDro score was 7. The pooled standardised mean difference in balance outcome for strength training = 0.3346 (95% CI: 0.3207-0.60, P = 0.01 < 0.00001, P for heterogeneity = 0.85, I(2) = 0%). Tai Chi = 0.7597 (95% CI: 0.5130-1.2043, P<=0.0014, P for heterogeneity = 0.26, I(2) = 0%) and aerobic exercises = 0.6880 (95% CI: 0.5704-1.302, P < 0.00001, P for heterogeneity = 0.71, I(2) = 0%). While pooled results for falls risk outcomes in, strength training, Tai chi and aerobics also showed a significant reduction in reduced risk of falls significantly with pooled result 0.55 (95% CI: 0.41-0.68, P < 0.00001, P for heterogeneity = 0.39, I(2) = 6%).
    CONCLUSION: strength training, Tai Chi and aerobics exercises improved balance and falls risk in older individuals with knee OA, while water-based exercises and light treatment did not significantly improve balance outcomes. Strength training, Tai Chi and aerobics exercises can therefore be recommended as falls prevention strategies for individuals with OA. However, a large randomised controlled study using actual falls outcomes is recommended to determine the appropriate dosage and to measure the potential benefits in falls reduction.
    KEYWORDS: Tai Chi; elderly; exercises; falls; older people; osteoarthritis
    Matched MeSH terms: Tai Ji
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