Effect of Adding Motorized Cycle Ergometer Over Exercise Training on Balance in Older Adults with Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Falls secondary to balance disturbances have been considered as a burden on health systems in people with dementia aged above 65. Exercise has been increasingly recommended to address such problem and the main challenges being the commitment and supervision of training. The study's aim was to investigate the effect of adding motorized cycle ergometer (MCE) on high intensity functional exercise (HIFE) training on balance and cognition in older adults with dementia. METHODS: Sixty participants over the age of 65 were randomly allocated into 3 groups, Mo, Ex, and MoEx undergoing, respectively, 50 minutes MCE, HIFE, or combination of both. Sessions were done 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Outcome measures taken before and after study period were Berg Balance Scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), and Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE). RESULTS: All groups showed significant improvement in BBS scores but not on TUG or MMSE scores. Between group analysis showed no privilege of any used training methods over the other for all measures taken. CONCLUSIONS: Training with HIFE, MCE, or combination of both is effective in improving balance but not cognition. However, MCE can be an alternative to supervised exercise training in addressing balance.

The Effect of Adding Virtual Reality Training on Traditional Exercise Program on Balance and Gait in Unilateral, Traumatic Lower Limb Amputee.

Objective: Lower limb amputation is common in war combat and armed conflict as well as in traumatic settings and presents a challenge for health care providers. The incorporation of advanced technologies, particularly virtual reality, presents an opportunity to address the main consequences of amputation, principally balance and gait. The aim of this study was to investigate the additional effect of virtual reality with a traditional rehabilitation exercise program on balance and gait in unilateral, traumatic lower limb amputees. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two traumatic lower limb amputees, fulfilling a postfitting rehabilitation program at least 6 months ago, were recruited and randomly assigned into two identically sized groups; group C (control group) experiencing the traditional exercise program and group VR (virtual reality group) experiencing an addition of a virtual reality training. The intervention was conducted over 6 weeks at a rate of three sessions per week. Outcome measures assessed before and after 6 weeks were the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and 6-minute walk test (6 MWT). Results: Both interventions induced improvement in all measured parameters (P < 0.05); however, virtual reality demonstrated significant superior effects only on the balance markers, TUG test, DGI, and BBS (P < 0.05), but not on the 6 MWT (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Virtual reality is a promising, amusing, and safe intervention for addressing balance and gait in unilateral, traumatic lower limb amputees.

Benefits of Aerobic Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise may be beneficial to breast cancer (BC) survivors. Here, we systematically summarized the effects of aerobic exercise in BC survivors. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of knowledge, Scopus, Cochrane Central, Virtual Health Library and PEDRO databases for relevant RCTs, comparing aerobic exercise with usual care among BC survivors. Data were extracted and evidence was synthesized narratively. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in this systematic review. Studies reported that aerobic exercise can significantly improve the quality of life in BC survivors. Moreover, aerobic exercise alleviated the symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, current evidence from the included studies showed that there was no significant benefit for aerobic exercise in terms of weight loss. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that aerobic exercise is beneficial to BC survivors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Aerobic exercise should be recommended in the therapeutic and rehabilitative regimens of BC survivors.
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Effect of aerobic exercises versus laser acupuncture in treatment of postmenopausal hot flushes: a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] To compare the effect of aerobic exercises versus laser acupuncture in treatment of postmenopausal hot flushes. [Subjects and Methods] This study was designed as single blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 48 postmenopausal women complained of hot flushes. Their ages ranged between 45 to 55 years and were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups: group (A), which received an aerobic exercises, and group (B), which received laser acupuncture. Both groups recieved 3 sessions per week for two months. The level of follicular stimulating hormone, lutelizing hormone, and hot flushes dairy card were assessed the severity of hot flahes before and after treatment program. [Results] There were Significant reduction in FSH, LH, and menopausal daily hot flush scale in group A compared with group B at the post treatment. [Conclusion] Eight week program of an aerobic exercises yields improvement in FSH, LH, and decrease in severity of hot flushes assessed by hot flush dairy card than laser acupuncture in the treatment of postmenopausal hot flashes.