Design guidelines for movement-assistive clothing based on a comprehensive understanding of older adults' needs and preferences.

This study aimed to explore the needs and wants of older adults in the context of movement-assistive clothing (MSC), with a focus on muscle strength and posture correction. A survey was conducted to understand the needs and wants of older adults, considering aspects of functions and designs, and to evaluate the comfort, safety, ease of use, usefulness, and intention of users to purchase and use products. A total of 408 individuals aged > 65 years participated in the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive analyses, such as mean, standard deviation, percentages, Cronbach's alpha, chi-square test, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and regression using IBM SPSS 27.0. Exploratory Factor Analysis was also conducted to test the hypotheses. Open-ended questions were extracted using major themes after color-coding. Based on the results, design recommendations were derived, including the development of pants and innerwear with casual, minimalist styles, featuring achromatic colors, and utilizing stretchy, breathable fabrics. Comfort, safety, ease of use, and usefulness emerged as critical factors influencing the purchase and use of MSC by older adults. This study aimed to establish design guidelines by understanding the needs and wants of older adults and considering the aspects of movement-assistive clothing to relieve musculoskeletal issues. Accordingly, these findings are expected to aid in the creation of wearable suits using flexible fabric artificial muscles for active musculoskeletal correction in older adults.

[Clinical study on treatment of advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer by guben xiaoliu capsule].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of Guben Xiaoliu Capsule (GXC) in treating advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: One hundred and ninety-eight NSCLC in-patients were divided into the integrative treated group [Group A, 54 patients treated with chemotherapy (CT) plus GXC], the TCM treated group (Group B, 96 patients treated with GXC alone) and the chemotherapeutic group (Group C, 48 patients treated with CT alone). Randomized controlled observation was applied to the Group A and C. The clinical effect, quality of life (QOL), adverse reaction and survival period in the three groups were observed. RESULTS: The immediate effective rate (CR + PR) in the Group A, B and C was 16.7%, 3.1% and 8.3%, respectively, in the Group A, it was better than that in the other two groups (P < 0.05). The improvement of clinical symptoms and QOL in the Group A and B were superior to those in the Group C (P < 0.05). The median survival rate in the three groups was 12, 15 and 9 months, respectively, the 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rate in Group A being 57.4%, 11.1% and 3.7%, respectively, in Group B, 67.7%, 9.4% and 3.1%, and in (Group C, 39.6%, 4.2% and 0, respectively, comparison between the three groups showed that the survival rates in the former two were higher than those in Group C (P < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence rate and degree of CT toxicity were milder in Group A than those in Group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: GXC has definite effect in treating NSCLC, it could raise the QOL, prolong the survival period of patients, also reduce the toxicity and enhance the efficacy of CT.

[Influence of combined therapy of guben yiliu III, moxibustion and chemotherapy on immune function and blood coagulation mechanism in patients with mid-late stage malignant tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the supplementary effect of moxibustion and Guben Yiliu III (GBYL), a Chinese herbal compound preparation, in combination with chemotherapy. METHODS: Eighty-one patients of mid-late stage malignant tumor were randomly divided into 3 groups: 16 in Group A treated with chemotherapy and placebo; 35 in Group B treated with chemotherapy and GBYL and 30 in Group C treated with chemotherapy and GBYL plus moxibustion. The short-term effect of treatment, changes of blood picture, cell mediated immune function and blood coagulation in patients were observed. RESULTS: After chemotherapy, the lymphocyte count was significantly lowered in Group A and B (P < 0.01), but not in Group C (P > 0.05); lymphocyte subset T3 raised significantly in Group B; the average level of T-lymphocyte subsets was reduced in Group A while it increased in the other two groups; and a bi-directional regulation on plasma fibrinogen concentration was shown in Group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion prevented dropping of lymphocyte count caused by chemotherapy. Combination of GBYL and moxibustion could prevent the lowering of T-lymphocyte subsets caused by chemotherapy, and moxibustion could regulate bi-directionally the patients' abnormality in part of blood coagulation mechanism.