Research Articles

Interventions for Addressing Low Balance Confidence in Older Adults

Administrator — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:49:14 +0000

Abstract Background: low balance confidence is a major health problem among older adults restricting their participation in daily life. Objectives: to determine what interventions are most effective in increasing balance confidence in older adults. Design: systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials including at least one continuous end point of balance confidence. Studies, including adults 60 years or older without a neurological condition, were included in our study. Methods: the standardised mean difference (SMD) of continuous end points of balance confidence was calculated to estimate the pooled effect size with random-effect models. Methodological quality of trials was assessed using the Physical Therapy Evidence Database (PEDro) Scale. Results: thirty studies were included in this review and a meta-analysis was conducted for 24 studies. Interventions were pooled into exercise (n = 9 trials, 453 subjects), Tai Chi (n = 5 trials, 468 subjects), multifactorial intervention (n = 10 trials, 1,233 subjects). Low significant effects were found for exercise and multifactorial interventions (SMD 0.22–0.31) and medium (SMD 0.48) significant effects were found for Tai Chi. Conclusion: Tai chi interventions are the most beneficial in increasing the balance confidence of older adults.

Mindfulness Meditation Training Changes Brain Structure in Eight Weeks

Administrator — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:13:37 +0000

Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, a team led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers report the results of their study, the first to document meditation-produced changes over time in the brain's grey matter.

Use Tai Chi to Fight Depression

Administrator — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:43:46 +0000

March AARP bulletin reports this research from Michael Haederle in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

Does Obesity in Patients with Fibromyalgia Modify Response to Tai Chi Therapy: Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Administrator — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:14:15 +0000

Arthritis and Rheumatism
An Official Journal of the American College of Rheumatology
Volume 62 Number 10 (Supplement) October 2010

http://www.rheumatology.org/education/annual/FinalAbstract2010.pdf

Chenchen Wang1, Christopher H. Schmid2, Yoojin Lee2 and Timothy
McAlindon1. 1Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, 2Tufts Medical
Center

Purpose: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder of complex
etiology. Recent evidence about the association between obesity and
FM suggests that this might obfuscate therapy. We evaluated the
association of obesity and changes in FM severity, sleep quality and
health related quality of life in a randomized controlled trial of FM
patients.

Evaluation of Tai Chi Course Effectiveness for People with Arthritis.

Administrator — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:54:35 +0000

Evaluation of Tai Chi Course Effectiveness for People with Arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2010(Oct);62(10 Suppl):S288, abstract 690 [conference abstracts PDF here].

Leigh F. Callahan1, Jack H. Shreffler3, Betsy S. Hackney3, Kathryn Remmes Martin2 and Brian Charnock3. 1Univ of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 2University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 3University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Arthritis Foundation’s 6-week Tai Chi course in reducing symptoms, increasing function, and improving psychosocial status in participants with arthritis using a communitybased randomized control trial (RCT).

New Meditation Research: Putting the 'Om' in 'Chromosome'

Administrator — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:12:39 +0000

Huffington Post : Living : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wray-herbert/meditation-research_b_780525.html

NOVEMBER 23, 2010

The Shambhala Mountain Center sits nestled among the remote lakes and pastures of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, where for four decades it has offered instruction and retreat to serious students of meditation and yoga. Starting in February 2007, it became a scientific laboratory as well. The center began hosting the Shamatha Project, one of the most rigorous scientific examinations of meditation's effects ever undertaken. The Project is now beginning to yield its insights, and from early reports it appears that this ancient practice delivers benefits that go all the way down to the chromosomal level.

Tai Chi Exercise for Patients With Cardiovascular Conditions and Risk Factors: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Administrator — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:33:14 +0000

Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention:
May/June 2009 - Volume 29 - Issue 3 - p 152-160

Yeh, Gloria Y. MD, MPH; Wang, Chenchen MD, MSc; Wayne, Peter M. PhD; Phillips, Russell MD
Abstract

PURPOSE: To conduct a systematic review of the literature evaluating tai chi exercise as an intervention for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or with CVD risk factors (CVDRF).

Tai Chi May Ease Knee Pain

Administrator — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:27:56 +0000

People With Severe Osteoarthritis Got Relief From Practicing Tai Chi, Study Shows

By Kelley Colihan
WebMD Health News

http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/news/20081024/tai-chi-may-ease-knee-pain?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Oct. 25, 2008 -- A new study shows the ancient Chinese movement art of tai chi can help ease knee pain in people who have severe osteoarthritis.

Harvard Medical on Health Benefits of Tai Chi

Administrator — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 22:48:59 +0000

HARVARD HEALTH PUBLICATIONS
The health benefits of tai chi

http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/HB_web/the-health-benefits-of-tai-chi.htm

Tai chi is often described as “meditation in motion,” but it might well be called “medication in motion.” There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems.

Tai Chi for Insomnia, Acupuncture for chronic pain

Administrator — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:52:12 +0000

Jean Weiss

Prevention Magazine

7/28/2010

http://www.prevention.com

Tai chi for insomnia
Are you a chronic tosser and turner? Can't sleep beyond the first chirps and tweets of the morning chorus? Try tai chi. The slow, meditative exercise regimen, originally developed as a martial art in China more than 2,500 years ago and practiced widely across Asia today, improves sleep quality in adults with moderate insomnia, CAM researchers say. The benefits, linked to tai chi's well-established ability to reduce stress, kicked in after participants practiced the routine for 16 weeks. You will need regular instruction at first, so look for classes at your Y or gym.

Hidden benefit: Tai chi helps improve balance and reduce risk of falling.