Exercise intervention in middle-aged and elderly individuals with insomnia improves sleep and restores connectivity in the motor network.

Exercise is a potential treatment to improve sleep quality in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Understanding exercise-induced changes in functional plasticity of brain circuits that underlie improvements in sleep among middle-aged and older adults can inform treatment of sleep problems. The aim of the study is to identify the effects of a 12-week exercise program on sleep quality and brain functional connectivity in middle-aged and older adults with insomnia. The trial was registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR2000033652). We recruited 84 healthy sleepers and 85 individuals with insomnia. Participants with insomnia were assigned to receive either a 12-week exercise intervention or were placed in a 12-week waitlist control condition. Thirty-seven middle-aged and older adults in the exercise group and 30 in the waitlist group completed both baseline and week 12 assessments. We found that middle-aged and older adults with insomnia showed significantly worse sleep quality than healthy sleepers. At the brain circuit level, insomnia patients showed decreased connectivity in the widespread motor network. After exercise intervention, self-reported sleep was increased in the exercise group (P < 0.001) compared to that in the waitlist group. We also found increased functional connectivity of the motor network with the cerebellum in the exercise group (P < 0.001). Moreover, we observed significant correlations between improvement in subjective sleep indices and connectivity changes within the motor network. We highlight exercise-induced improvement in sleep quality and functional plasticity of the aging brain.

Effects of Wu Qin xi Qigong exercise on physical functioning in elderly people with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: Exercise therapy is a key intervention in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to test the 6-month effectiveness of Wu Qin Xi Qigong (WQXQ) exercise versus a conventional physical therapy (control group [CG]) on physical functioning in patients with early knee OA. METHODS: This study was a 6-month follow-up from a randomized controlled trial. Participants with knee OA were randomly allocated to the WQXQ or CG. Data from the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, 30-Second Chair Stand Test, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, knee extension strength and knee flexion strength were collected before and after the 6-month intervention. RESULTS: Both treatment groups demonstrated large (20%-50%) and clinically relevant reductions in activity limitations, pain and knee instability, which were sustained at 6 months post-treatment. No differences in effectiveness between experimental and control treatment were found on Timed Up and Go Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, knee extension strength and knee flexion strength except for a higher Berg Balance Scale score (P = 0.029) and lower Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain score (P = 0.031) in the WQXQ group. CONCLUSIONS: Both WQXQ and conventional physical therapy exercise programs were highly effective in reducing activity limitations and pain, and promoting balance and muscle power. WQXQ was found to be more effective in promoting balance and reducing pain than conventional physical therapy exercise in patients with knee OA. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 899-903.

Effect of health Baduanjin Qigong for mild to moderate Parkinson's disease.

AIM: The present study investigated the effectiveness of Baduanjin Qigong on symptoms related to gait, functional mobility and sleep in Parkinson disease (PD) patients. METHODS: A total of 100 patients (age 67.53 ± 8.56 years, range 55-80 years) with mild to moderate PD were randomly assigned to two groups. Participants in the Baduanjin Qigong group (BQG) received a Baduanjin Qigong program, consisting of four 45-min sessions each week and daily walking 30 min for 6 months. Participants in the control group were carried out daily walking for 30 min. Pre- and post-intervention testing was carried out to assess sleep quality, fatigue, functional mobility and gait performance in these participants. RESULTS: After the 6-month Baduanjin Qigong intervention, the BQG showed sleep quality improvements in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score (P = 0.049), Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale-2 (PDSS-2) total score (P = 0.039), Motor Symptoms at Night (PDSS-2) score (P = 0.039), PD Symptoms at Night (PDSS-2) score (P = 0.029), Disturbed Sleep (PDSS-2) score (P = 0.037). The BQG showing functional mobility capacity greater improvements in the Berg Balance Scale (P = 0.041) and 6-minute walk test (P = 0.042), and greater decrease in the Timed Up & Go (s; P = 0.046). The BQG showing gait function increased in the gait speed (m/s; P = 0.011). However, this was not the case for the control group, which remained at the same level as pretest performance. CONCLUSIONS: BQG improved the gait performance, functional mobility and sleep quality in older adults with PD at the 6-month follow up. It is as an alternative home exercise program for older adults in rehabilitation for PD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 911-919.

Efficacy of Liuzijue Qigong in Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Remission.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of a 6-month Liuzijue qigong (LQG) program in promoting physical and psychosocial function in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN: Single-blind, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Seven hospital respiratory care centers in Beijing. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with COPD (N = 126; mean age 71.1 ± 2.7, range 65-85). METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: LQG (n = 63) and control (n = 63). Subjects in the LQG group received a LQG program consisting of four 45-minute sessions each week and daily walking for 30 minutes for 6 months. Control subjects walked daily for 30 minutes. Data collection was performed at baseline, at 6 weeks, and at 6 months. Primary outcomes involved functional capacity, and secondary outcomes involved quality of life. RESULTS: The LQG group had greater improvements in the 6-minute walk test (P = .02); specific airway conductance (P = .02); monitored functional task evaluation (P = .04); Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36; general health (P < .001), mental health (P = .03)); Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (dyspnea (P = .05), emotion (P = .05), and mastery (P = .04) at 6-month follow-up. After 6 months, the control group had significant improvement only on the SF-36 mental health (P = .02). CONCLUSION: LQG promoted functional capacity and quality of life in older adults with COPD at 6 months and is a good alternative home exercise program for older adults in the rehabilitation of COPD.