[Trends and Prospects for Photoreactivation in Health Promotion].

The use of light to promote health, reduce harm, and restore functionality is a novel, non-accumulative physical strategy that contrasts with the predominantly chemical approaches used in Western medicine. This strategy may serve as an independent function for healthcare professionals and warrants further exploration. Photoreactivation, achieved by adjusting patients' physiological clocks at different times, utilizing specific wavelengths, varying color temperatures, and using illuminance, is a potent tool for improving mood and sleep quality, regulating autonomic nervous system balance, enhancing attention, and delaying cognitive decline. Light therapy is a rapidly expanding field in healthcare that offers new opportunities to enhance quality of life, prevent diseases, and improve overall well-being. This article elucidates the fundamental concepts of photoreactivation, explores its application across diverse health domains, examines its future development prospects, and discusses the challenges faced by photoreactivation and related solutions to ensure the responsible use of light to enhance and restore physiological and psychological functions.

Risk factors for anisometropia in schoolchildren: A population-based, longitudinal cohort study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence rate and risk factors for anisometropia among young schoolchildren. METHODS: A population-based cohort study, the Myopia Investigation Study in Taipei, was conducted in primary schools in Taipei City. Children were recruited for biannual comprehensive eye examinations over 2 years. Cycloplegic autorefraction and slit lamp examinations were performed biannually. Data on demographic information, parental history, lifestyle and near-work activities were collected using parent-administered questionnaires at the first and final visits. Anisometropia was defined as ≥1 D difference in the spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error. RESULTS: A total of 7035 8-year-old children completed the 2-year follow-up evaluations. The average annual incidence of anisometropia was 3.8%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that baseline SE (odds ratio [OR]: 0.87 95% CI: 0.80-0.95) and female sex (OR: 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.50) were significantly associated with incident anisometropia. Among lifestyle risk factors, spending <1 h per day in after-school outdoor activities on weekdays (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.08-1.76) and performing near work at a distance <30 cm (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.08-1.64) were significantly associated with an increased risk of incident anisometropia. In the multiple linear regression analysis, the inter-eye difference in SE increased significantly in children performing near work at distances <30 cm (adjusted ß = 0.03; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated the annual incidence of anisometropia in Taiwanese schoolchildren. Less time spent outdoors and shorter eye-to-object distances during near work increased the risk of incident anisometropia.

Bright Morning Lighting Enhancing Parasympathetic Activity at Night: A Pilot Study on Elderly Female Patients with Dementia without a Pacemaker.

Exposure to bright morning light (BML) entrains the master circadian clock, modulates physiological circadian rhythms, and reduces sleep-wake disturbances. However, its impact on the autonomic nervous system at night remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of BML exposure on parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity at night in elderly women. This nonrandomized controlled pilot study included female participants aged ≥ 60 years who were diagnosed with a type of dementia or cognitive disorder, excluding individuals with pacemakers. The treatment group was exposed to 2500 lx of BML, whereas the control group was exposed to 200 lx of general lighting. We measured heart rate variability to quantify ANS activity. The treatment group displayed significant increases in high-frequency (HF) power (Roy's largest root = 1.62; p < 0.001) and nonsignificant decreases in normalized low-frequency (LF%) power. The corresponding nonsignificant decreases in the low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio and cognitive function were correlated with PSNS activity (Roy's largest root = 1.41; p < 0.001), which improved severe dementia. BML exposure reduced SNS activity and enhanced PSNS activity at night in female participants, which improved cognitive function. Thus, BML therapy may be a useful clinical tool for alleviating cognitive decline.

[Reflections on the Prospective Professional Competency of Taiwan Public Health Nurses].

Societal ageing, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and the COVID-19 pandemic have changed the global healthcare environment dramatically. These challenges have significantly burdened community medical and healthcare systems and complicated the work of public health nursing. As an important care provider on the frontlines of primary care, public health nurses (PHNs) must keep up with the current state of the medical environment and statistical data interpretation, scientific data translation, community resource sharing, and telehealth applications. These demands have greatly impacted the traditional routines and existing professional core competencies of PHNs. Discussions among 12 Taiwanese public healthcare experts and the definition of public health nursing capacity from World Health Organization were considered in this review. In addition to reflecting on social changes and the professional development of public health nursing, eight prospective recommendations were provided in this review to enhance the professional competence of PHNs and better prepare them for future changes in the health environment and primary healthcare. The suggestions provide a reference for updating the position statement of PHNs.

Ambient bright lighting in the morning improves sleep disturbances of older adults with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Ambient light therapies are potentially effective in improving sleep disturbances and circadian rhythms. This study created a new lighting intervention model for elderly patients with dementia. It is hypothesized that exposure to bright ambient light in the morning is more effective than general lighting in improving sleep disturbances and circadian rhythms. METHODS: A single-blind longitudinal-group experimental design was employed. The dementia participants came from the community and nursing homes. Those in the experimental group were exposed to ambient light at 2500 lux, and those in the comparison group were exposed to 114-307 lux. The corresponding sleep disturbances and circadian rhythms were determined using an accelerometer (XA-5). A longitudinal experimental design was adopted to observe the time to an effective response. RESULTS: The covariates of benzodiazepine use and total activity during the day were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. The experimental group showed significant sleep efficiency improvement, with mean increases of 41.9% (P < 0.001) and 31.7% (P = 0.002), sleep time increases of 141 min (P = 0.001) and 135 min (P = 0.008), awakening time decreases of 116 min (P = 0.001) and 108 min (P = 0.002), and sleep onset advancements of 60-84 min/sleep offset delays of 57-79 min upon the fifth and ninth week, respectively. A 4-week bright ambient light intervention was the most effective. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that bright ambient light in the morning is beneficial for improving sleep disturbances and was driven by stabilizing circadian rhythms.

Effects of a Case Management Program for Women With Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Although case management programs have been proposed to improve maternal and fetal outcomes in high-risk pregnancies, limited data are available regarding the effect of case management on women with PIH. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an antepartum case management program on stress, anxiety, and pregnancy outcomes in women with PIH. METHODS: A quasi-experimental research design was employed. A convenience sample of women diagnosed with PIH, including preeclampsia, was recruited from outpatient clinics at a medical center in southern Taiwan. Sixty-two women were assigned randomly to either the experimental group (n = 31) or the control group (n = 31). The experimental group received case management for 8 weeks, and the control group received routine clinical care. Descriptive statistics, independent t or Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, paired t test, and generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 35.1 years (SD = 4.5). No significant demographic or clinical differences were found between the control and experimental groups. The results of the generalized estimating equations showed significantly larger decreases in stress and anxiety in the experimental group than in the control group. No significant differences were identified between the two groups with respect to infant birth weeks, infant birth weight, average number of medical visits, or frequency of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The nurse-led case management program was shown to have short-term positive effects on the psychosocial outcomes of a population of Taiwanese patients with PIH. These results have important clinical implications for the healthcare administered to pregnant women, particularly in terms of improving the outcomes in those with PIH.

Pilot Study of the Effects of Bright Ambient Therapy on Dementia Symptoms and Cognitive Function.

Light therapy potentially improves dementia symptoms. In this study, we examined the effects of bright light therapy on neuropsychiatric behaviors and cognitive function. Thirty-five participants were assigned to either the experimental or comparison group. The experimental group was exposed to bright light at 2,500 lux, and the comparison group was exposed to 114-307 lux. The instruments used were the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and the Mini-Mental State Examination. The experimental group showed a significant improvement in Neuropsychiatric Inventory scores; these scores, which were calculated using generalized estimating equations with medication (benzodiazepines) as a covariate, were reduced by 65% (P < 0.001) and 78% (P = 0.001) by the 5th and 9th weeks, respectively. At the same time, Mini-Mental State Examination scores increased by 19% (P = 0.007) and 28% (P = 0.04), respectively. However, differences in outcomes between the 5th and 9th weeks were not significant. A 4-week regimen of bright light therapy was the most effective, with higher adherence and acceptability.

A Nationwide Study of Myopia in Taiwanese School Children: Family, Activity, and School-Related Factors.

The purpose of the study was to explore how fixed and modifiable family, activity, and school factors affect a student's myopia risk and severity. We used national cross-sectional data from Taiwanese children in Grades 4-6. Bivariate and multivariate analyses, including logistic and ordinary least squares regression, examined factors related to children's myopia status and severity. Age, parent myopia, and school district were associated with risk of myopia. One hour or more per day of near work (OR = 1.26) increased the odds of myopia. The same amount of time in outdoor activities (OR = 0.85) or moderate or vigorous physical activities (OR = 0.82) was associated with lower risk. Near work (ß = 0.06), outdoor activity (ß = -0.04), and outdoor recess (ß = -0.03) predicted myopia severity. To promote healthy vision, nurses should advocate for and implement interventions that increase school children's time outdoors and in physical activities and reduce their time on near work.

The associations between meeting 24-hour movement guidelines and adiposity in Asian Adolescents: The Asia-Fit Study.

Less is known about how compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines for physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and sleep affects adiposity in young people. The purposes of this study were to compare compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines in Asian adolescents and to examine the associations between compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines and body fat percentage. A sample of 12 590 adolescents aged 13.63 (± 1.01) years from eight Asian metropolitan cities including Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong SAR, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Seoul (South Korea), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Taipei (Taiwan), and Tokyo (Japan) completed interviewer-administered questionnaires to assess moderate-to-vigorous PA, recreational screen time, sleep duration, and covariates. Body fat percentage was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. We found that compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines differed in Asian adolescents across the eight cities. Adjusting for covariates, there was a negative association between number of the guidelines being met and body fat percentage in Asian adolescents. In addition, meeting only the sleep guideline and both the PA and sleep guidelines had negative associations with body fat percentage compared with no guidelines being met. Our findings improve the understanding about how compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines benefit a healthy body weight in adolescents, as well as contribute to development of evidence-based 24-hour movement guidelines for Asian young people. Future research is needed to gain better insights into the directionality of the associations between compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines and adiposity, as well as the mechanisms underlying the associations in Asian adolescents.

The influence of the interfacial layer on the stability of all-solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes.

Improving the stability of large-area organic light-emitting diodes is very important for practical applications. The interfacial layer plays a crucial role to improve the electron injection characteristic. In this work, devices prepared by various solution-processed interfacial materials and thermal-evaporated CsF were compared. In the devices with active area of 2.25 mm × 2.25 mm, we found that the performance and lifetime of the device with solution-processed Liq interfacial layer was comparable with the device with thermal-evaporated CsF. However, for the devices with active area of 2.4 cm × 3.7 cm, the device based on thermal-evaporated CsF was the champion in both performance and lifetime. The influence of the thickness of CsF on the stability was investigated. The most stable blue fluorescent devices can be achieved when the thickness of CsF is about 0.1 nm, while the most stable green phosphorescent devices can be obtained by depositing 0.2 nm CsF. The best current efficiency for the blue fluorescent device is 4 cd A-1, while the best one for the green phosphorescent device is 22 cd A-1. Furthermore, burning points causing the failure of the devices were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, thermography and secondary ion mass spectrometry. We demonstrated that burning points are defects, which can be observed after long-time operation, showing higher local temperature and fragmentary electrode.

Physical activity and health-related fitness in Asian adolescents: The Asia-fit study.

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate and compare physical activity (PA) and health-related fitness in Asian adolescents, and to examine the associations between meeting PA guidelines and attaining fitness standards. Methods: A sample of 12,590 adolescents (Mage = 13.63 years, SD = 1.01) from eight Asian metropolitan cities completed measurements of PA, five field-based fitness tests, and covariates. The fitness test scores were further classified into Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) or Needs Improvement Zone (NIZ). Results: Findings showed that adolescents' levels of PA and fitness components differed by cities. City differences were also found in proportions of meeting PA guidelines and achieving the HFZs of aerobic capacity, muscular fitness, and body composition. After controlling covariates, meeting PA guidelines positively associated with being in the HFZs of aerobic and muscular fitness, but the association was not significant with being in the body composition HFZ. Conclusion: There was a large variation in PA and health-related fitness in adolescents across the eight Asian cities. Asian adolescents achieving PA guidelines were more likely to be in the HFZ of aerobic and muscular fitness. Prospective follow-up studies are warranted to gain better insights into the relationships between objectively-measured PA and fitness.

Protective behaviours of near work and time outdoors in myopia prevalence and progression in myopic children: a 2-year prospective population study.

AIM: To investigate the protective behaviours of longer near work distance, discontinuing near work and more time outdoors in recess from parent self-report in the myopia prevalence and progression among myopic children aged 9-11 years. METHODS: Myopia Investigation study in Taipei is a longitudinal population-based study that enrolled elementary school students in Taipei. We provided vision and refraction examination every 6 months. Spherical equivalent (SE) of cycloplegic refraction ≤-0.50 Diopter (D) is defined as myopia. Total 10 743 (70.4%) students completed 2-year refraction data and questionnaire. The myopia prevalence and progression (difference of SE) in baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months were compared by generalised estimating equations. RESULTS: Children with persistent protective behaviour had significant lower prevalence of myopia. The protective impact was statistically significant from 6 to 24 months. In 2 years follow-up, risk ratio after adjusting the background variables and the other two behaviours in near work distance, near work time and outdoor time were 0.71, 0.89 and 0.77. In SE analysis, after adjusting the other two behaviours, near work distance >30 cm (-0.7 vs -1.04 D; p<0.001), discontinuing near work every 30 min (-0.77 vs -0.96 D, p=0.005) and more time outdoors in recess from parent self-report (-0.75 vs -0.98 D; p=0.012) revealed protective impacts on diminishing myopia progression from 6 to 24 months. CONCLUSION: In myopic children aged around 10 years in Taipei, longer distance in near work, discontinuing near work every 30 min and more outdoor time from parent self-report are protective behaviours in myopia prevalence and progression in 6-24 months.

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity attenuates the detrimental effects of television viewing on the cardiorespiratory fitness in Asian adolescents: the Asia-fit study.

BACKGROUND: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and television viewing are independently associated with cardiorespiratory fitness. However, limited evidence is available on their combined effects, specifically of MVPA and watching television, on cardiorespiratory fitness in the young Asian population. Therefore, the present study examined whether MVPA can attenuate the detrimental effects of prolonged television viewing on the cardiorespiratory fitness of Asian adolescents. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study on 9553 adolescents (aged 12-15 years) from 8 Asian metropolitan cities (Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Singapore). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by using a 15-m progressive aerobic capacity endurance run (PACER) test. The time spent on MVPA and watching television was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. RESULTS: MVPA was more closely associated with the PACER score than the duration of watching television. Compared with the reference group (i.e. those with the lowest levels of MVPA [< 30 min/day] and the most sedentary [≥3 h/day of television time]), PACER scores were significantly higher for those who met the physical activity recommendation (≥60 min/day in MVPA), regardless of the duration of television viewing. Conversely, girls in the least active group (< 30 min/day of MVPA) who watched television < 1 h/day demonstrated better PACER scores than the reference group. CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient MVPA (≥60 min/day) can attenuate the detrimental effects of excessive television viewing with cardiorespiratory fitness in Asian adolescents. In addition, the duration of television viewing had significant but weaker associations with cardiorespiratory fitness compared to MVPA.

Association of multimedia teaching with myopia: A national study of school children.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether students' exposure to digitally projected, multimedia teaching material under naturally varying classroom lighting conditions is associated with myopia risk and severity. DESIGN: A population-based, cross-sectional study in 2012 of children in grades 4-6 across 87 schools in Taiwan. METHODS: Students (N = 3,686) reported demographic information, outdoor time, physical activity and near work. Parents provided their myopia status. Student-reported multimedia teaching frequency and classroom lighting levels were confirmed with direct observation. School nurses conducted vision screening and ophthalmologist referral. Myopia status and severity were measured by spherical equivalent refraction; SE ≤-0.5 dioptres was coded as myopic. Binary logistic and tobit regression were used to estimate the contributions of classroom multimedia exposure and lighting to myopia risk and severity controlling for risk factors. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Age, parental myopia and hours of near work increased the odds of myopia and predicted greater severity. Physical activity and outdoor time predicted lower risk and severity. Multimedia exposure in relatively bright classrooms was associated with greater odds of myopia. Classroom lighting levels during multimedia teaching were inversely related to severity; exposure frequency was unrelated. CONCLUSIONS: Multimedia exposure under brighter classroom conditions may contribute to the myopia incidence in schoolchildren. IMPACT: Teaching with digital projection technology is increasingly prevalent. This may increase children's odds of developing myopia, which has far-reaching and lifelong deleterious effects. School nurses should raise awareness of and promote strategies that reduce this risk, including working with children, parents, school personnel and system leaders to adopt eye-healthy behaviours, practices and policies.

Dose-Response Relationship of Outdoor Exposure and Myopia Indicators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Various Research Methods.

Myopia in children has dramatically increased worldwide. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the effects of outdoor light exposure on myopia. According to research data from 13 studies of 15,081 children aged 4-14 at baseline, outdoor light exposure significantly reduced myopia incidence/prevalence (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-0.91, p < 0.00001; I2 = 90%), spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) by 0.15 D/year (0.09-0.27, p < 0.0001), and axial elongation by 0.08 mm/year (-0.14 to -0.02, p = 0.02). The benefits of outdoor light exposure intervention, according to pooled overall results, included decreases in three myopia indicators: 50% in myopia incidence, 32.9% in SER, and 24.9% in axial elongation for individuals in Asia. Daily outdoor light exposure of more than 120 min was the most effective intervention, and weekly intervention time exhibited a dose-response relationship with all three indicators. Subgroup comparisons revealed that interventional studies report greater benefits from outdoor light exposure compared with cohort and cross-sectional studies, and individuals with myopia in intervention studies experienced slightly greater benefits than individuals without, in terms of SER and axial elongation. Therefore, this study suggests 120 min/day of outdoor light exposure at school.

The perceived neighborhood environment is associated with health-enhancing physical activity among adults: a cross-sectional survey of 13 townships in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Many environmental factors have been associated with physical activity. The environment is considered a key factor in terms of the rate of engagement in physical activity. This study examined the perceived effect of environmental factors on different levels of health-enhancing physical activity among Taiwanese adults. METHODS: Data were collected from 549 adults aged at least 18 years from the northern, central, southern and eastern regions of Taiwan. Physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) showcard version, and participants were divided into three categories: those who performed low-, moderate-, or high-levels of physical activity, as suggested by the IPAQ scoring protocol. The perceived neighborhood environment in relation to physical activity was adapted from the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale. A multinomial logistic regression was conducted to ascertain associations between individual perceptions of the neighborhood environment and different physical activity levels. RESULTS: Respondents who perceived their neighborhood environment as having easy access to services and stores, and higher traffic safety were more likely to be moderate level of physical activity (odds ratio [OR]: 1.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-3.37; OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.12-2.80). The perception of having easy access to services and stores and seeing many physically active people in the neighborhood were both positively associated with a high level of physical activity (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.01-5.01; OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.11-5.23). CONCLUSIONS: Different perceived neighborhood environmental factors were associated with moderate and high levels of physical activity, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of an activity-friendly neighborhood environment to stimulate engagement in physical activity among adults in Taiwan. Therefore, policies and programs should focus on improving friendliness and diversity in neighborhoods to facilitate individuals' transitions from inactive to active lifestyles.

Seasonal variation of refractive error change among young schoolchildren in a population-based cohort study in Taipei.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between seasonal variation of daylight length and spherical equivalent (SE) progression among the schoolchildren participating in the Myopia Investigation Study in Taipei. METHODS: We used the first-year data from grade 2 schoolchildren who completed all the baseline and two follow-up examinations (n=6790). There were two 6-month intervals between visits over winter and summer, respectively. For each interval, we calculated average daily daylight length using data from Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau and measured 6-month SE progression rate based on right eye cycloplegic autorefraction data. The midpoint month was defined as the month midway between two consecutive visits. RESULTS: By the midpoint month, average daily daylight length was the shortest in December (671±7 min/day) and the longest (785±7 min/day) in June, and SE progression rate was the fastest (-0.23±0.48 D) in December and the slowest (-0.17±0.51 D) in June. Significant variation of SE progression rate with season can be observed only among the schoolchildren (n=1905) whose midpoint months for the winter and summer intervals were December and June (winter rate, -0.25±0.47 D; summer rate, -0.17±0.49 D; p<0.001). Of those, the summer progression rate was approximately 80%, 65% and 61.5% of that measured in winter for myopic (p=0.252), emmetropic (p=0.012) and hyperopic (p=0.012) schoolchildren, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate a seasonal variation of minus shift in refractive error among Taipei schoolchildren who had significant daytime fluctuation during the 1-year follow-up. Of those, non-myopic children had significant and more pronounced variation of SE progression than myopic children.

[Reflections on Occupational Health Nursing in Taiwan: Challenges and Perspectives].

The development of the occupational health nursing profession has promoted stable and healthy human resources in Taiwan. In order to improve the occupational safety, health, and healthcare of workers, the professional core competencies and role functions of occupational health nursing is of utmost importance. This article investigated the current status of occupational health nursing education, role functions, practice scope, and the development and responsibilities of professional associations and proposed the challenges to and the future prospects of the development of occupational health nursing in Taiwan. The key findings include: (1) the role functions and practice scope of occupational health nursing; (2) occupational health nursing courses should be included in the required credits of Department of Nursing and master and doctor programs in occupational health nursing should be established; (3) a certification system of occupational health nursing should be established as soon as possible; (4) the professional associations for occupational health nursing should take responsibility for continuing education and training; and (5) interdisciplinary collaborations among relevant occupational health professionals should be strengthened.

Effectiveness of endurance exercise training in patients with coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Exercise interventions apparently reduce the risks of and prevent coronary artery disease (CAD). Developing an exercise intervention for patients with CAD is a rapidly expanding focus worldwide. The results of previous studies are inconsistent and difficult to interpret across various types of exercise programme. AIM: This study aimed to update prior systemic reviews and meta-analyses in order to determine the overall effects of endurance exercise training on patients with CAD. METHODS: The databases (PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and Cochrane Library) were searched for the interventions published between January 1, 2000, and May 31, 2015. Comprehensive meta-analysis software was used to evaluate the heterogeneity of the selected studies and to calculate mean differences (MDs) while considering effect size. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies with 1286 participants were included. Endurance exercise interventions at a moderate to high training intensity significantly reduced resting systolic blood pressure (MD: -3.8 mmHg, p = 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD: -5.5 mg/dL, p = 0.02), and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD: 3.8 mg/dL, p < 0.001). There were also significant positive changes in peak oxygen consumption (MD: 3.47 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (MD: 2.6%, p = 0.03) after the interventions. Subgroup analysis results revealed that exercise interventions of 60-90 minutes per week with a programme duration of >12 weeks had beneficial effects on functional capacity, cardiac function and a number of cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Endurance exercise training has a positive effect on major modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and functional capacity. Nurses can develop endurance exercise recommendations for incorporation into care plans of clinically stable CAD patients following an acute cardiac event or revascularisation procedure.

Measurements and profiles of body weight misperceptions among Taiwanese teenagers: a national survey.

Children and adolescents tend to lose weight, which may be associated with misperceptions of weight. Previous studies have emphasized establishing correlations between eating disorders and an overestimated perception of body weight, but few studies have focused on an underestimated perception of body weight. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between misperceptions of body weight and weight-related risk factors, such as eating disorders, inactivity, and unhealthy behaviors, among overweight children who underestimated their body weight. We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study between December 1, 2006 and February 15, 2007. A total of 29,313 children and adolescents studying in grades 4-12 were enrolled in this nationwide, cross-sectional survey, and they were asked to complete questionnaires. A multivariate logistic regression using maximum likelihood estimates was used. The prevalence of body weight misperception was 43.2% (26.4% overestimation and 16.8% underestimation). Factors associated with the underestimated perception of weight among overweight children were parental obesity, dietary control for weight loss, breakfast consumption, self-induced vomiting as a weight control strategy, fried food consumption, engaging in vigorous physical activities, and sleeping for >8 hours per day (odds ratios=0.86, 0.42, 0.88, 1.37, 1.13, 1.11, and 1.17, respectively). In conclusion, the early establishment of an accurate perception of body weight may mitigate unhealthy behaviors.