METHODS: The EPIC-Norfolk is a prospective population-based cohort study in Norfolk, UK. In total, 25 637 community dwelling adults aged 40-79 years were recruited. Units of alcohol consumed per week were measured using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. The main outcome was the first hospital admission following a fall.
RESULTS: Over a median follow-up period of 11.5 years (299 211 total person years), the cumulative incidence function (95% confidence interval) of hospitalized falls at 121-180 months for non-users, light (>0 to ≤7 units/week), moderate (>7 to ≤28 units/week) and heavy (>28 units/week) were 11.08 (9.94-12.35), 7.53 (7.02-8.08), 5.91 (5.29-6.59) and 8.20 (6.35-10.56), respectively. Moderate alcohol consumption was independently associated with a reduced risk of falls hospitalization after adjustment for most major confounders (hazard ratio = 0.88; 95% confidence interval 0.79-0.99). The relationship between light alcohol consumption and falls hospitalization was attenuated by gender differences. Alcohol intake higher than the recommended threshold of 28 units/week was associated with an increased risk of falls hospitalization (hazard ratio 1.40 [1.14-1.73]).
CONCLUSIONS: Moderate alcohol consumption appears to be associated with a reduced risk of falls hospitalization, and intake above the recommended limit is associated with an increased risk. This provides incentive to limit alcohol consumption within the recommended range and has important implications for public health policies for aging populations. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 657-663.
METHODS: This study is part of the Long-term Research Grant Scheme - Towards Useful Ageing cohort study in Malaysia. Of a total of 174 participants with complete trace elements and oxidative and DNA damage data during baseline, only 147 (84.5%) were successfully followed up after 18 months. Participants who experienced any fall events in the previous 18 months during the follow-up were categorized as fallers.
RESULTS: Thirty participants (20.4%) reported at least one fall in the previous 18 months. The mean concentrations of aluminium, lead and zinc were significantly higher (P
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of different TC styles on motor function in older adults with functional impairments.
METHOD: We searched five databases-PubMed, Scopus, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Web of Science, and Wiley Online Library-including studies published up to September 2024. The selection of literature adhered to PRISMA guidelines, with quality assessment independently carried out by two researchers.
RESULTS: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. The analysis revealed that TC interventions for functionally impaired older adults primarily employed Yang-style, Sun-style, Chen-style, and simplified-style TC. The populations studied included individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), nonspecific low back pain (NS-LBP), preclinical disabilities, chronic diseases, poor balance, osteoarthritis (OA), Parkinson's disease (PD), sarcopenia, and those at risk of falls. The findings indicated that motor function in functionally impaired older adults were closely linked to balance, gait, mobility, strength, and fall rates. Among the various TC styles, Yang-style was the most frequently utilised intervention.
CONCLUSION: This review examined four types of TC interventions and found strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of Yang-style TC in improving motor function in older adults with functional impairments. Additionally, five assessment methods-Single-Leg Stance (SL), Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), Chair Stand Test (CST), and Fall Efficacy Scale (FES)-were identified as suitable for evaluating this population. Based on the findings, it is recommended that individuals with functional impairments engage in Yang-style 24-movement TC, with an intervention duration of 12 weeks, practicing two to five times a week for 60 min each session.