Effects of the different Tai Chi exercise cycles on patients with essential hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The main treatment for essential hypertension at this stage is pharmacotherapy. Long-term pharmacotherapy is costly with some side effects. Tai Chi, a bright star in traditional Chinese arts, relaxes both mind and body and has been shown to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. This study aimed to systematically review the therapeutic effectiveness of the Tai Chi exercise cycle on blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors of patients with essential hypertension. Methods: Searching CNKI, VIP, CBM, PubMed, EBSCO, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to collect randomized controlled trials about Tai Chi exercise in the treatment of patients with essential hypertension according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The search time ranged from the date of database construction to December 2022. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was used to evaluate the included trials. The meta-analysis was performed with RevMan5.3 and Stata12.0 software. Results: According to the meta-analysis, compared with the controls, Tai Chi exercise with a cycle of more than 12 weeks may be better for the reduction of systolic blood pressure (SBP) [MD = -11.72, 95% CI (-15.52, -7.91)] and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) [MD = -4.68, 95% CI (-7.23, -2.12)], as well as increasing the content of nitric oxide (NO) [MD = 0.99, 95% CI (0.69, 1.28)]. The blood lipid metabolism ability may also be improved after more than 12 weeks of Tai Chi exercise, total cholesterol (TC) [SMD = -0.68, 95% CI (-0.89, -0.46), triglyceride (TG) [SMD = -0.84, 95% CI (-1.25, -0.43)], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [SMD = -1.58, 95% CI (-2.29, -0.86)]. However, the improvement of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [SMD = 0.54, 95% CI (0.28, 0.79)] was better with a less than 12 weeks exercise cycle. A subgroup analysis for exercise frequency and time showed that the exercise frequency should preferably be more than or equal to 5 times per week for patients with hypertension, and for patients with hypertension plus hyperlipidemia, the exercise frequency less than 5 times per week with exercise time less than 60 min each day may be more beneficial. Conclusion: The meta-analysis indicated that a more than 12 weeks Tai Chi exercise cycle with less than 60 min each time and more than 5 times per week may be more beneficial in blood pressure reduction, NO level increasing and blood lipid metabolism improving in the comparison with the other exercise cycles. For patients with hypertension plus hyperlipidemia, exercise frequency of less than 5 times per week may be better. Systematic Review Registration: [http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero], identifier [CRD42022352035].

Efficacy of Pilates on Pain, Functional Disorders and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common health problem. Pilates is a unique exercise therapy. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of Pilates on pain, functional disorders, and quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, CBM, EBSCO, and Embase were searched. Randomized controlled trials of Pilates in the treatment of CLBP were collected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 12.2. RESULTS: 19 randomized controlled trials with a total of 1108 patients were included. Compared with the controls, the results showed the following values: Pain Scale [standard mean difference; SMD = -1.31, 95%CI (-1.80, -0.83), p < 0.00001], Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) [mean difference; MD = -4.35, 95%CI (-5.77, -2.94), p < 0.00001], Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) [MD = -2.26, 95%CI (-4.45, -0.08), p = 0.04], 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) (Physical Function (PF) [MD = 5.09, 95%CI (0.20, 9.99), p = 0.04], Role Physical (RP) [MD = 5.02, 95%CI (-1.03, 11.06), p = 0.10], Bodily Pain (BP) [MD = 8.79, 95%CI (-1.57, 19.16), p = 0.10], General Health (GH) [MD = 8.45, 95%CI (-5.61, 22.51), p = 0.24], Vitality (VT) [MD = 8.20, 95%CI(-2.30, 18.71), p = 0.13], Social Functioning (SF) [MD = -1.11, 95%CI (-7.70, 5.48), p = 0.74], Role Emotional (RE) [MD = 0.86, 95%CI (-5.53, 7.25), p = 0.79], Mental Health (MH) [MD = 11.04, 95%CI (-12.51, 34.59), p = 0.36]), Quebec Back in Disability Scale (QBPDS) [MD = -5.51, 95%CI (-23.84, 12.81), p = 0.56], and the sit-and-reach test [MD = 1.81, 95%CI (-0.25, 3.88), p = 0.09]. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis reveals that Pilates may have positive efficacy for pain relief and the improvement of functional disorders in CLBP patients, but the improvement in quality of life seems to be less obvious. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022348173.

Effectiveness of the Rehabilitation Training Combined with Maitland Mobilization for the Treatment of Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The study aims to determine whether routine rehabilitation training combined with the Maitland mobilization is more effective than routine rehabilitation training alone in patients with chronic ankle instability, intending to provide a novel rehabilitation strategy for chronic ankle instability. A total of 48 subjects were divided into three groups: EG (Maitland mobilization and routine rehabilitation), CG (routine rehabilitation), and SG (sham mobilization and routine rehabilitation). The intervention was performed three times each week for 4 weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. Before and after the intervention, the muscle strength, star excursion balance test (SEBT), weight-bearing dorsiflexion range of motion (WB-DFROM), ankle range of movement, Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT), self-comfort visual analog scale (SCS-VAS), and self-induced stability scale (SISS-VAS) were assessed. The results showed that the improvement of SEBT, WB-DFROM, and active ankle range of movement without the pain in EG was more obvious than CG and SG, but the improvement of the self-report of ankle severity and muscle strength was not. Compared with routine rehabilitation training alone, routine rehabilitation training combined with Maitland mobilization for patients with chronic ankle instability may provide more benefit in terms of balance and ankle range of movement than routine rehabilitation alone, but the improvement in muscle strength was not evident enough.

The effect of vibration training on delayed muscle soreness: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is caused by unaccustomed exercise, especially eccentric exercise, and is highly likely to cause skeletal muscle injury. It mainly manifests as ultrastructural changes in skeletal muscle, as well as decreased muscle strength, muscle soreness, swelling, and elevated levels of creatine kinase (CK). Vibration training (VT) has been attracting increasing attention as a new type of rehabilitation therapy. It can effectively minimize the occurrence and relieve the symptoms of DOMS, reduce muscle stiffness and soreness, and reduce serum concentrations of CK and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). This article systematically assessed the impact of VT on the mitigation of DOMS through a meta-analysis to provide updated evidence-based information. METHODS: Electronic databases such as China Knowledge Network, VIP Electronics, PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science were searched to identify randomized controlled trials of VT on DOMS. Searches were performed from database creation to November 2021. The quality of the literature was assessed using the Cochrane Manual for the Systematic Review of Interventions, and meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: VT intervention in DOMS was shown to effectively reduce subjective pain, improve pain tolerance, and accelerate the reduction of serum CK and LDH concentrations. Subgroup analysis of different test time periods showed that subjective pain decreased more significantly after 48 hours than after the other 2 time periods, and pain tolerance increased more significantly after 72 hours than the other 2 time periods; serum CK was significantly increased after 24 and 48 hours of intervention, but showed no significant change compared with the control group after 72 hours. Serum LDH decreased significantly after 24 hours of intervention, but there was no significant difference compared with the control group after 48 hours or 72 hours. CONCLUSION: VT effectively reduced the subjective pain sensation after DOMS, increased the pain threshold, reduced serum LDH and CK concentrations, and accelerated muscle damage repair compared with control interventions. However, the effect of improving the range of motion of the joints is not clear and should be studied further. REGISTRATION: number: INPLASY2021120115.

Digital finance development and manufacturing emission reduction: An empirical evidence from China.

The implementation of carbon peak and carbon neutral goals cannot be achieved without the effective support of digital finance. This paper studies the inverted N-curve relationship between digital finance and carbon intensity, and identifies the emission reduction effects of digital finance development from the enterprise level. The study found that the development of digital finance has an inverted-N dynamic impact on the carbon intensity of the manufacturing industry. The emission reduction effects of the development of digital finance have typical multi-dimensional heterogeneous characteristics at the regional and enterprise levels. Mechanism analysis shows that the emission reduction effect of digital finance development depends on the combined effect of scale and technology. The initial stage of digital finance development can promote carbon emission reduction through the "scale effect" of reduction, and the digital finance development in the intermediate stage can increase carbon intensity through the "scale effect" of expansion, while long-term emission reductions can be achieved based on technological effect caused by the digital finance development in the mature stage.

Does whole-body vibration training have a positive effect on balance and walking function in patients with stroke? A meta-analysis.

Objective: After a stroke, patients usually suffer from dysfunction, such as decreased balance ability, and abnormal walking function. Whole-body vibration training can promote muscle contraction, stimulate the proprioceptive system, enhance the muscle strength of low limbs and improve motor control ability. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of whole-body vibration training on the balance and walking function of patients with stroke. Methods: PubMed, CNKI, VIP, CBM, EBSCO, Embase and Web of Science were searched. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of whole-body vibration training on the balance and walking function of patients with stroke were collected. The search time ranged from the date of database construction to November 2022. The included trials were evaluated by the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The meta-analysis was performed using two software packages, consisting of RevMan 5.4 and Stata 12.2. If the results included in the literature were continuous variables, use the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for statistics. Results: (1) A total of 22 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 1089 patients were included. (2) The results of meta-analysis showed that: compared with the controls, step length (MD = 6.12, 95%CI [5.63, 6.62], p < 0.001), step speed (MD = 0.14, 95%CI [0.09, 0.20], p < 0.001), cadence (MD = 9.03, 95%CI [2.23, 15.83], p = 0.009), stride length (MD = 6.74, 95%CI [-3.47, 10.01], p < 0.001), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (MD = 4.08, 95%CI [2.39, 5.76], p < 0.001), Timed Up-and-Go test (TUGT) (MD = -2.88, 95%CI [-4.94, 0.81], p = 0.006), 10-meter Walk Test (10MWT) (MD = -2.69, 95%CI [-3.35, -2.03], p < 0.001), functional ambulation category scale (FAC) (MD = 0.78, 95%CI [0.65, 0.91], p < 0.001), Fugl-Meyer motor assessment of lower extremity (FMA-LE) (MD = 4.10, 95%CI [2.01, 6.20], p = 0.0001). (3) The results of subgroup analysis showed that, compared with other vibration frequencies, at 20-30 Hz frequency, WBV training had an obvious improvement effect only in TUGT. (4) The safety analysis showed that WBV training may be safe. Conclusion: Whole-body vibration training has a positive effect on the balance and walking function of patients with stroke. Thus, whole-body vibration training is a safe treatment method to improve the motor dysfunction of patients with stroke. Systematic review registration: [http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO], identifier [CRD4202348263].