Exploring the effects of combining health qigong and dance on working memory in middle-aged and elderly women: A preliminary investigation.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive decline represents a critical clinical and public health issue that adversely affects the quality of life for older patients and their families. This concern was exacerbated by the reduced engagement in outdoor activities among seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting substantial challenges to aging societies. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of health qigong combined with Tibetan dance on working memory in middle-aged and elderly women, and to determine its potential as a preventive strategy against cognitive disorders. METHODS: A pilot study was conducted to compare the effects of a Health Qigong exercise intervention with those of everyday life and sports routines. The primary outcome measure was working memory assessed using a 2-Back working memory task research paradigm. Between July and September 2021, a total of 33 women were divided into four groups: two middle-aged groups (N = 18, with 8 women in the experimental group and 10 in the control group) and two elderly groups (N = 15, with 7 in the experimental group and 8 in the control group). Participants in the experimental groups underwent a 10-week intervention, consisting of three 60-min sessions per week. Each session included a warm-up, Health Qigong combined with Tibetan dance, and a cool-down. Throughout the study, all participants continued their daily routines. Response times and error rates were analyzed using a mixed-design repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: A simple effects analysis revealed that Health Qigong combined with Tibetan dance significantly enhanced 2-Back response time and error rate in the middle-aged group. In contrast, the 2-Back error rate significantly increased in the elderly control group that did not receive the intervention (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Health Qigong demonstrates beneficial effects on middle-aged and elderly women. Combining Health Qigong with dance may serve as a preventive measure against cognitive disorders. This pioneering study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, assesses the new possibility of Health Qigong and dance, with the objective to offer more diverse indoor exercise options for middle-aged and elderly women.

Fracture risk analysis and prediction of low bone mass tangential points in middle-aged and elderly women with different chronic diseases / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Middle-aged and elderly women have a high risk of osteoporosis,and chronic diseases increase the risk of osteoporosis.Low bone mass is a risk stage before the onset of osteoporosis.There are a small amount of relevant reports on the difference of fracture risk and the tangent value of diagnostic indicators in the population with common chronic diseases. OBJECTIVE:Through the analysis of fracture risk of middle-aged and elderly women with different chronic diseases,to investigate the correlation between obesity,hypertension,hyperlipemia,diabetes,arteriosclerosis and bone mineral density and identify the cut-off value of low bone mass index,thereby providing reference for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. METHODS:A total of 203 cases of female adults aged 45-70 years were divided into normal group and chronic disease group.The calcaneal bone density was measured by using an ultrasonic bone densitometer.Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was tested by using an arteriosclerotic instrument.Blood sugar and blood lipid were tested by using an automatic biochemical analyzer.Body mass index,fat mass and muscle mass were measured by using a body composition analyzer. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were significant differences in body mass index and fracture risk coefficient of women aged 61-70 years and bone strength of women aged 51-60 years and 61-70 years compared with those aged＜50 years(P＜0.05).The fracture risk of diabetes group was significantly higher than that of the other groups,while the fracture risk of arteriosclerosis group was significantly higher than that of normal group and obesity group(P＜0.05).Bone mineral density was negatively correlated with age,left vascular elasticity,right vascular elasticity and triglyceride level,but positively correlated with body mass index(P＜0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of body mass density and the above indexes was 0.5-0.7,and the corresponding tangents of low body mass density were 55.5 years old(age),756.0 cm/s(left vascular elasticity),789.0 cm/s(right vascular elasticity),1.115 mmol/L(triglyceride level)and 22.35 kg/m2(body mass index).To conclude,diabetes and arteriosclerosis increase the risk of fracture in middle-aged and elderly women.Body mass index,vascular elasticity and triglyceride level have a certain early diagnostic value in predicting low bone mass in women.

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine massage on physical and mental health of middle-aged and elderly women.

This mixed-methods study examined the effects of traditional Chinese medicine massage on the physique, athletic performance, body composition, and perceived physical and mental health of 10 middle-aged and older women by using questionnaires and multiple measurement instruments. Microsoft Office and IBM SPSS 26.0 were used for the verification and calculation of results. Multivariate analysis was employed to analyze the data. Intermittent exercise significantly influenced the body composition, physical fitness, sports performance, and physical and mental health of female college students and improved their self-confidence, sleep quality, eating habits, weight, blood pressure, and sports performance, even when not accompanied with massage. However, although the rate of improvement was stable, intermittent exercise with traditional Chinese medicine massage yielded greater improvements in abdominal muscle strength and flexibility than intermittent exercise without traditional Chinese medicine massage. In terms of physical and mental health, headache, head pressure, back pain, and sense of loss were significantly alleviated (p < 0.01) in the traditional Chinese medicine massage group.

Comparing the effects of different exercises on blood pressure and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of different exercises on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) in postmenopausal women. We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane library databases, up to July 2022. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected following the inclusion criteria. We assessed study quality with the PEDro scale. The Stata software was used for statistical analysis. Twenty-three papers (26 RCTs) and 729 participants were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated that exercise decreased SBP (WMD = -6.74 mmHg, 95%CI: -9.08, -4.41, p = 0.000), DBP (WMD = -4.13 mmHg, 95%CI: -5.78, -2.48, p = 0.000) and aortic PWV (WMD = -0.79 m/s, 95%CI: -1.02, -0.56, p = 0.000). Aerobic exercise can significantly decrease SBP (WMD = -7.97 mmHg, 95%CI: -12.99, -2.60, p = 0.003) and DBP (WMD = -5.97 mmHg, 95%CI: -8.55, -3.39, p = 0.000). Resistance exercise can significantly decrease SBP (WMD = -5.62 mmHg, 95%CI: -9.00, -2.23, p = 0.001), DBP (WMD = -1.87 mmHg, 95%CI: -2.75, -0.99, p = 0.000) and aortic PWV (WMD = -0.67 m/s，95%CI: -0.98, -0.36, p = 0.000). Combined aerobic and resistance exercise can significantly decrease SBP (WMD = -5.42 mmHg, 95%CI: -10.17, -0.68, p = 0.025). The efficacy of mind-body exercise (Tai Chi/Yoga) on SBP, DBP, and aortic PWV were not obvious (p > 0.05). Exercise significantly improved SBP, DBP, and aortic PWV in postmenopausal women. Aerobic exercise decreased SBP and DBP. Resistance exercise decreased SBP, DBP, and aortic PWV. Additionally, further research is required to confirm the efficacy of mind-body exercise (Tai Chi/Yoga) on blood pressure and arterial stiffness.

[Comparison of medical care expenditure between participants and non-participants of exercise class for middle-aged and elderly women].

Objectives　This study aimed to compare and verify the medical care expenditure of participants and non-participants of exercise classes for middle-aged and elderly women.Methods　This study compares and analyzes the medical care expenditure of two groups. The total amount of outpatient treatment, pharmacies, and hospitalization expenditures will be referred to as medical care expenditure. The participating and control groups were 6,576 women aged between 60 and 69 years with a 4-year insurance by the National Health Insurance. The participating group composed 416 women who participated in the exercise class for 2 years and whose hospitalization and outpatient treatment expenditures for 1 year before the exercise class were 0 yen and <500,000 yen, respectively. The control group were matched with the participating group for 1:1 in age and medical care expenditure. Wilcoxon's signed rank test was used to compare the medical costs of the groups. The significance level was set at <5%.Result　In comparing the medical care expenditure between years, both groups had increased medical care expenditure and there was no significant difference in the medical care expenditure between the groups within each year; however, the increased medical care expenditure was lower in the participating group than that in the control group.　The outpatient treatment and pharmacies expenditures for aged <65 years who participated in ≥15 exercise classes in both years was significantly lower for the participating group compared to that of the control group of the same age group.　The hospitalization expenditure was significantly lower in the participating group for all age groups and aged <65 years group after participating in exercise classes.Conclusion　Women who continually participate in exercise classes could further reduce their medical care expenditure, especially for those aged ≤65 years.

Effects of Acute Aquatic High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise on Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Postmenopausal Women with Different ACE Genotypes.

The present study investigated the effects of acute aquatic high-intensity intermittent jumping (HIIJ) on blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women with different angiotensin-converting enzyme genotypes (ACE). We recruited 12 postmenopausal women carrying the ACE deletion/deletion (DD) genotype and 61 carrying the insertion/insertion or insertion/deletion (II/ID) genotype. The participants performed 12 trials of 30 s, 75% heart rate reserve (HRR) jumping, and 60 s, 50% HRR recovery, and 3 trials of 40 s upper limb resistance exercises were performed as fast as possible. The heart rate (HR) and BP were measured before exercise, immediately, 10 min, and 45 min after exercise. The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured before and after exercise. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the DD genotype increased more significantly than those with the II/ID genotype post-exercise (30.8 ± 4.48 vs. 20.4 ± 2.00 mmHg, p = 0.038). The left and right sides of baPWV increased significantly after exercise (1444.8 ± 29.54 vs. 1473.4 ± 32.36 cm/s, p = 0.020; 1442.1 ± 30.34 vs. 1472.0 ± 33.09, p = 0.011), and there was no significant difference between the two groups. The HIIJ increased baPWV. The postmenopausal women with the DD genotype have a higher SBP increased post-exercise than those with II/ID genotype. These findings suggest that the aquatic exercise program has better effects in decreasing blood pressure in postmenopausal women with the II/ID genotype. Those with the DD genotype should pay attention to the risk of increasing blood pressure after aquatic HIIJ exercise.

Effects of plaza dancing and its impact on the figure, physical function and quality of life in middle-aged and elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of plaza dancing and its impact on the figure, physical function and quality of life in middle-aged and elderly women. METHODS: A total of 109 middle-aged and elderly women in a community, were selected as the study subjects by the Department of Physical Health in Qiqihar Medical University, and divided into Group A (n=54) and Group B (n=55) in accordance with the exercise methods. Group A did not receive special intervention, and lived and worked normally, while Group B performed plaza dancing. The changes in the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised in China (WMS-RC), figure, physical function and fitness and quality of life were compared between the two groups before and after intervention. RESULTS: Compared with Group A, Group B had a smaller body mass index (BMI), waistline and hipline, lower weight, heart rate at the resting state, PSQI scores, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as a higher vital capacity and scores of WMS-RC and quality of life, a shorter duration of quadrant jumps, a longer duration of standing on one leg with eyes closed and distance reached in seated forward bending, after intervention (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of plaza dancing is satisfactory, and plaza dancing is conducive to improving the figure, physical function and fitness, memory function, sleep quality and quality of life in middle-aged and elderly women.

Efficacy of acupuncture for urinary incontinence in middle-aged and elderly women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to generalize the available evidence and evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for urinary incontinence in middle-aged and elderly women. METHODS: Six databases including VIP, CNKI, Wan Fang, Web of Science, PubMed and The Cochrane Library were systematically searched to retrieve similar studies updated to December 2019 to gather RCTs regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture for middle-aged and elderly women with urinary incontinence. Two researchers independently performed the whole process of retrieving the studies, extracting the data and assessing the risk of bias of the included studies. The current meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of eight studies with 607 patients were included in the evaluation. The current meta-analysis showed that Compared with rehabilitation exercise or medication, acupuncture intervention significantly improved the clinical effectiveness (OR = 5.52, 95 % CI, 3.13-9.73), reduced the urine leakage in pad test (SMD = -2.67, 95 % CI, -4.05 to -1.29) and decrease the ICIQ-SF score (MD = -3.46, 95 % CI, -3.69 to -3.22). The results indicated that acupuncture intervention can help the patients alleviate the symptoms effectively. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, acupuncture intervention of stress urinary incontinence in middle-aged and elderly women can improve the clinical effectiveness, reduce the urine leakage in pad test and ICIQ-SF score. More high-quality studies with large sample size are required for further verification.

Evaluation of bone mineral density and 25-(OH) vitamin D levels in middle-aged and elderly women with recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Background: Middle-aged and elderly perimenopausal women are prone to developing BPPV without definite cause. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD), 25-(OH) vitamin D, and serum calcium levels in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in middle-aged and elderly women.Material and methods: A total of 103 women with two or more recurrent BPPV episodes (group A) and 80 age-matched healthy controls (group B) were recruited. All subjects had BMD and serum 25-(OH) D levels measurements taken, and the results were compared.Results: BMD was reduced in group A, and the proportion of osteoporosis was higher than in group B (p = .039). The BMD T-score and 25-(OH) vitamin D level were lower in group A than in group B (p = .004 and p < .0001, respectively). In group A, the BMD T-score was lower (p = .017) and serum 25-(OH) vitamin D level was higher (p < .0001) in premenopausal women than in menopausal women.Conclusions and Significance: Our study found that middle-aged and elderly women with recurrent BPPV, especially postmenopausal women, may present decreased BMD and serum vitamin D levels.

Classification and surgical management of upper-lid dermatochalasis in middle-aged and elderly women / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To explore the clinical classification of upper lid dermatochalasis in mid dle-aged and elderly women for choosing appropriate surgical methods and evaluating the efficacy of the treatment.Methods A lot of 98 cases of middle-aged and elderly women above 40,who underwent surgical treatment between January 2005 and September 2015,were retrospectively analyzed.The dermatochalasis was classified according to the relaxation of upper lid soft tissue,eyebrow ptosis and the effect of eye function.Therefore,four surgical treatments were designed for patients-upper eyelid incision,infraeyebrow incision,eyebrow lifting and upper eyelid incision plus eyebrow lifting.Results Of the 133 treated cases,the post-operative cosmetic result was assessed as very satisfactory in 107 (80.4％) cases;as satisfactory in 19 (14.3％) cases,and as dissatisfactory in 7 (5.3％) cases.Conclusions The key to satisfactory treatment of upper lid blepharoplasty for middle aged and elderly women lies in designing personalized treatments and choosing appropriate surgical methods according to the classification of upper lid relaxation.

Relationship of parity and other factors with metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly women in Nanchang community / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship of parity and other reproduction-associated factors with metabolic syndrome(MS) in middle-aged and elderly women in Nanchang community.Methods Female permanent residents over 40 years old were sampled for a routine examination and a questionnaire survey covering basic information,5 894 subjects were enrolled and identified as effective cases.MS was diagnosed according to the standard of China Diabetes Society in 2004.Factors including age,education,profession,marital status,parity,child-bearing history of macrosomia,breastfeeding,menarche age,and menopausal age were analyzed in order to find their relationship with MS.The univariate logistic analysis was followed by binary logistic regression analysis if P＜0.05,and OR value and confidence interval were calculated.Results Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age,education,profession,parity,breastfeeding,and menopausal age were influencing factors of MS (all P ＜ 0.05).There was no correlation to marital status,miscarriage history,child-bearing history of macrosomia,menarche age with MS(all P＞0.05).Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of MS increased with age:OR =1.51 (95 ％ CI 0.98-2.32) during 50-59 years,OR =2.10 (95 ％ CI 1.34-3.30) during 60-69 years,and OR =2.63 (95 ％ CI 1.61-4.31) in cases aged over 70 years,as compared to the group aged 40-49 years.The risk in non-manual workers increased about 34 percent OR =1.33 (95 ％ CI 1.04-1.70),compared with manual workers.The risk of MS increased with parity,being OR =1.46 (95％ CI 1.14-1.88),OR =1.78 (95％ CI 1.30-2.43),and OR =1.84 (95％ CI 1.24-2.72),with 2,3,and 4 child-bearings respectively as compared to cases with only one childbearing.The risk of MS was reduced with advancing menopausal age being about 6 percent reduction with each increased year of menopausal age(OR =0.94,95％ CI 0.90-0.99).There was no difference between education,breastfeeding and MS(P＞005).Conclusion Multiple parity,earlier menopausal age,less manual work,and aging seem to be the risk factors of MS in women.

Effectiveness of Comprehensive Health Education Combining Hot Spa Bathing and Lifestyle Education in Middle-Aged and Elderly Women: Randomized controlled trial of three- and six-month interventions / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

This study attempted to clarify the effects of 3- and 6-month comprehensive health education programs based on hot spa bathing, lifestyle education and physical exercise on physique, psychological vigor, blood properties, pains in the knee and back, and mental and psychological aspects of women. We examined middle-aged and elderly women who were randomly divided into two groups and followed up until six months and one year later, respectively.<br>Spa programmers, an exercise instructor, and a dietician instructed subjects to one hour of life-style education and physical exercise (lecture on behavior modification, walking, rhythmic exercise, cooking practice, etc.) and one hour (including time for changing clothes and washing body) of a half bath (salt spring, temperature at 41.5) once a week. The program for the 3-month group (n=19) was repeated in the 6-month group (n=14).<br>The evaluation items were BMI, PWC75%HRmax (by a bicycle ergometer as aerobic capacity), blood properties (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, arteriolosclerotic index, uric acid, and HbAlc), profile of mood states, self-rating depression scale, subjective happiness, and pains in the knee and back.<br>Compared with pre-intervention data (26.3±3.6), the BMI decreased significantly (p<0.05) immediately after the intervention (25.7±3.5) and at the follow up six months later (25.7±3.3) in the group of 6-month intervention. In addition, the PWC75%HRmax, HbAlc, pains in the back, vigor, depression, and subjective happiness remained significantly improved (p<0.05), as measured at the 6-month follow-up. On the other hand, some of the items improved in the 3-month intervention group immediately after the intervention, but returned to nearly the same levels as those before intervention at the 1-year follow-up. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in the PWC75%HRmax, HbAlc, and fatigue between the two groups, all of which were improved in the 6-month intervention group.<br>These results suggest that a low frequency, once-a-week intervention requires duration longer than three months to maintain the effects, and that the effects should be monitored over years for a correct assessment.

Effectiveness of Comprehensive Education Combinding Hot Spa Bathing and Lifestyle Exercise Education / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

The purpose of this study was to examine how constitutions, blood profiles, knee and back pain, and the psychological state of middle-aged and elderly women were influenced by comprehensive health education that consisted of instructions in appropriate ways of bathing in hot springs and education on lifestyle and exercise.<br>Of the middle-aged and elderly female residents in village A in Nagano prefecture, 266 underwent health check-ups in August and September 2002. Fifty-six of these women voluntarily participated in this study, and were divided into an intervention and a control group randomly. Finally, the intervention group and control groups consisted of 22 and 26 subjects, respectively, who were considered suitable for study purposes.<br>The intervention group received comprehensive health education once a week for 3 months (total 11 times) between the latter part of September and the middle of December. For the comprehensive health education, subjects participated in hot spa bathing in a salt spring for 20 minutes in all (two 10-minute periods), and lifestyle education and exercise, including stretching, walking, light sports, dietary instruction, etc., during 60-minute sessions. After the series of comprehensive health education was completed, the following improvements were noted in the intervention group. As to blood profiles, the plasma level of uric acid significantly decreased from 4.4±1.1mg/<i>dl</i> to 4.1±1.1mg/<i>dl</i> (p<0.05) and the arterioloscerotic index decreased from 2.85±0.90 to 2.68±0.83 (p=0.07). The intensity of lumbago expressed on a visual analogue scale significantly decreased from 23.5±28.4% to 14.2±21.5% (p<0.01). The intensity of psychological tension decreased from 45.3±6.3 points to 43.2±6.0 points (p=0.06). The mean number of comprehensive health education sessions attended was 9.9±1.4 (range 7 to 11). The number of improvements implemented with regard to a healthy lifestyle significantly increased (p<0.05). Behavior of the subjects in the intervention group appeared to have changed towards a desirable lifestyle.<br>The results of this study show that even intermittent and brief health education combining “hot spa bathing and lifestyle education and exercise” is effective to maintain and improve health of middle-aged and elderly women.

Relationship between health and physical fitness, and the contribution of each element in physical fitness to health for middle-aged and elderly women / 体力科学

This study determined the relationship between health and physical fitness, and the contribution of each element in physical fitness to health for middle-aged and elderly women. A total of 1, 220 females aged 35 to 64 years participated in physical fitness tests and medical check ups. According to health status, the subjects were divided into two groups ; the healthy group (HG) and the unhealthy group (UG) . Multiple discriminant analysis was applied to the multivariate data. Correct discriminant probabilities of multiple discriminant functions to discriminate the HG and UG ranged from 63.9 to 83.3% among 6 age groups. These results suggested that there was a relatively strong relationship between health status and the level of physical fitness for middle-aged and elderly women. The change in correct discriminant probabilities indicated that degree of relationship would decrease stepwise with age. The contribution of each element of physical fitness to health status was also evaluated by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Age-related changes in the correlation coefficients between the discriminant score representing health status and performance on each physical fitness test demonstrated four different patterns. Therefore, special consideration should be given to the degree of contribution of each physical fitness element at each age level when developing exercise programs to promote health among middle-aged and elderly women.