Chun De Liao

Effects of protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise on body composition and physical function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Overweight and obese older people face a high risk of muscle loss and impaired physical function, which may contribute to sarcopenic obesity. Resistance exercise training (RET) has a beneficial effect on muscle protein synthesis and can be augmented by protein supplementation (PS). However, whether body weight affects the augmentation of muscular and functional performance in response to PS in older people undergoing RET remains unclear.Objective: This study was conducted to identify the effects of PS on the body composition and physical function of older people undergoing RET.Design: We performed a comprehensive search of online databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the efficacy of PS for lean mass gain, strength gain, and physical mobility improvements in older people undergoing RET.Results: We included 17 RCTs; the overall mean ± SD age and body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) in these RCTs were 73.4 ± 8.1 y and 29.7 ± 5.5, respectively. The participants had substantially greater lean mass and leg strength gains when PS and RET were used than with RET alone, with the standard mean differences (SMDs) being 0.58 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.84) and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.98), respectively. The subgroup of studies with a mean BMI ≥30 exhibited substantially greater lean mass (SMD: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.87) and leg strength (SMD: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.42, 1.34) gains in response to PS. The subgroup of studies with a mean BMI <30 also exhibited relevant gains in response to PS.Conclusions: Compared with RET alone, PS combined with RET may have a stronger effect in preventing aging-related muscle mass attenuation and leg strength loss in older people, which was found in studies with a mean BMI ≥30 and in studies with a mean BMI <30. Clinicians could use nutrition supplement and exercise strategies, especially PS plus RET, to effectively improve the physical activity and health status of all older patients.

Body Mass Index and Functional Mobility Outcome Following Early Rehabilitation After a Total Knee Replacement: A Retrospective Study in Taiwan

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis, and the incidence of obese patients requiring a total knee replacement (TKR) has increased in recent years. A high body mass index (BMI) may influence post‐TKR rehabilitation outcomes. We investigated the effects of obesity on functional mobility outcomes following post‐TKR rehabilitation in Asian patients whose BMIs were not as high as those reported in similar studies performed in non‐Asian countries.

Functional outcomes of outpatient balance training following total knee replacement in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial:

Objective: To evaluate whether balance training after total knee replacement surgery improves functional outcomes and to determine whether postoperative balance is associated with mobility. Design: A prospective intervention study and randomized controlled trial with an intention-to-treat analysis. Setting: The rehabilitation center of a university-based teaching hospital. Participants: A total of 130 patients with knee osteoarthritis who had undergone total knee replacement surgery were recruited to attend an outpatient rehabilitation program. They were randomly allocated to additional balance rehabilitation and functional rehabilitation groups. Interventions: During the eight-week outpatient rehabilitation program, both groups received general functional training. Patients in the balance rehabilitation group received an additional balance-based rehabilitation program. Primary outcome measures: The functional reach test, single-leg stance test, 10-m walk test, Timed Up and Go Test, timed chair-stand test, stair-climb test, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index were measured at baseline, eight weeks (T1), and 32 weeks (T2). Results: The balance rehabilitation group patients demonstrated significant improvement in the results of the functional reach test at T1 (37.6 ±7.8 cm) and T2 (39.3 ±9.7 cm) compared with the baseline assessment (11.5 ±2.9 cm) and Timed Up and Go Test at T1 (8.9 ±1.2 seconds) and T2 (8.0 ±1.9 seconds) compared with the baseline assessment (12.5 ±1.8 seconds). Moreover, the balance rehabilitation group patients exhibited significantly greater improvements in balance and mobility than did the functional rehabilitation group patients (all P < 0.001). Furthermore, improved balance was significantly associated with improved mobility at T2. Conclusion: Postoperative outpatient rehabilitation with balance training improves the balance, mobility, and functional outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis after total knee replacement.

Effects of elastic resistance exercise on body composition and physical capacity in older women with sarcopenic obesity: A Consort-compliant prospective randomized controlled trial

Background: Sarcopenia is associated with loss of muscle mass and an increased risk of physical disability in elderly people. However, the prevalence of sarcopenia has increased in obese elderly populations. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical efficacy of elastic resistance exercise training (RET) in patients with sarcopenic obesity. Methods: This study was conducted at the rehabilitation center of a university-based teaching hospital and was designed as a prospective and randomized controlled trial with an intention-to-treat analysis. A total of 46 women aged 67.3 (5.2) years were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). The EG underwent elastic RET for 12 weeks, and the CG received no RET intervention. All outcome measures were assessed at the baseline and posttest, including body composition measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, muscle quality (MQ) defined as a ratio of muscular strength to muscle mass, and physical capacity assessed using functional mobility tests. One-way analysis of covariance and Pearson correlation were used to compare outcomes between the 2 groups and to identify the relationship between changes in body composition and physical outcomes, respectively. A chi-square test was performed to identify differences in qualitative data between the 2 groups. Results: At the posttest, a significant between-group difference was observed in fat-free mass, MQ, and physical capacity (all P < .05); and a significant correlation was found between leg-lean-mass change and gait speed (r = 0.36; P < .05). After 12 weeks of elastic RET intervention, the EG had significantly fewer patients exhibiting sarcopenia (P < .05) and experiencing physical difficulty (P < .001) than the CG. Conclusion: The present data suggest that elastic resistance exercise exerted benefits on the body composition, MQ, and physical function in patients with sarcopenic obesity. Regular exercise incorporating elastic RET should be used to attenuate muscle mass loss and prevent physical difficulty in obese older adults with sarcopenia on reconditioning therapy. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IPR-15006069.

Body composition influenced by progressive elastic band resistance exercise of sarcopenic obesity elderly women: A pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND Sarcopenia involves age-related decreases in muscle strength and muscle mass, leading to frailty and disability in elderly people. When combined with obesity, it is defined as sarcopenic obesity (SO), which can result in more functional limitations and metabolic disorders than either disorder alone. AIM The aim of this study was to investigate body composition changes after elastic band resistance training in elderly women with SO. DESIGN Randomized single-blinded (assessor blinded) controlled pilot trial. SETTING Academic medical center. POPULATION Thirty-five elderly (>60 years old) women with SO. METHODS This pilot randomized controlled trial focused on elderly women with SO. The study group underwent progressive elastic band resistance training for 12 weeks (3 times per week). The control group received only a 40-minute lesson about the exercise concept. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed before and after intervention to evaluate body composition. Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to analyze the differences within and between these groups. RESULTS In total, 35 elderly women with SO were enrolled and divided into study (N.=18) and control groups (N.=17). No difference was observed in age, biochemical parameters, or Body Mass Index between both groups. After the intervention, the fat proportion of body composition in the right upper extremity (P=0.03), left upper extremity (P=0.04), total fat (P=0.035), and fat percentage (P=0.012) had decreased, and bone mineral density (BMD) (P=0.026), T-score (P=0.028), and Z-score (P=0.021) had increased in the study group. Besides, statistical difference was observed in outcome measurements of right upper extremity (P=0.013), total fat (P=0.023), and fat percentage (P=0.012) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that progressive elastic band resistance exercise can reduce fat mass and increase BMD in elderly women with SO, and that this exercise program is feasible for this demographic. Additional studies with larger sample sizes and longer intervention periods should be conducted. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT Twelve weeks of progressive elastic band resistance exercise program is safe and effective for SO elder women.

Association between psychiatric disorders and osteoarthritis: a nationwide longitudinal population-based study.

AbstractAlthough the association between depressive disorders and osteoarthritis (OA) has been studied, the association of other psychiatric disorders with OA remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether psychiatric disorders are risk factors for OA.The data were obtained from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 of Taiwan. We collected the ambulatory care claim records of patients who were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2008. The prevalence and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of osteoarthritis among patients with psychiatric disorders and the control cohort were estimated.Of 74,393 patients with psychiatric disorders, 16,261 developed OA during the 7-year follow-up period. The crude HR for OA was 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39–1.49), which was higher than that of the control cohort. The adjusted HR for OA was 1.42 (95% CI, 1.39–1.42) among patients with psychiatric disorders during the 7-year follow-up period. Further analysis revealed that affective psychoses, neurotic illnesses or personality disorders, alcohol and drug dependence or abuse, and other mental disorders were risk factors for OA.This large-scale longitudinal population-based study revealed that affective psychoses, personality disorders, and alcohol and drug dependence or abuse are risk factors for OA.

Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients Scores as a predictor of stroke patient ambulation at discharge from the rehabilitation ward.

OBJECTIVE The Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) is used to assess static and dynamic balance of stroke patients. PASS has demonstrated good measurement properties for reliability and validity, but its predictive effect for ambulation in stroke patients has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of PASS for ambulation in patients with stroke after inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS In this retrospective study, a total of 341 stroke patients were recruited from a rehabilitation ward of a medical university hospital. Patients were assessed at baseline using PASS and observation of rolling ability, and divided into 2 groups at discharge: independently ambulatory (n = 246) and non-ambulatory (n = 95). Receiver operating characteristic curve and adjusted bivariate logistic regression was applied to analyse the predictive value of baseline PASS scores, variables of demographic data, and rolling ability at admission to inpatient rehabilitation. RESULTS For all stroke patients, mean admission to the rehabilitation ward was 34.40 days after stroke and mean length of hospitalization 18.12 days. The receiver operating characteristic curve was obtained with a cut-off score of 3.5 points for static PASS, 8.5 points for dynamic PASS, and 12.5 points for total PASS, demonstrating the highest percentage of accurately predicted ability of independently walking at discharge. Adjusted bivariate logistic regression found rolling ability, static PASS and dynamic PASS to be predictors for ambulation of stroke patients at discharge. CONCLUSION Initial static PASS score, dynamic PASS score and rolling can be predictors for independent ambulation of stroke patients after a course of inpatient rehabilitation.

Effects of Linearly Polarized Near-Infrared Irradiation Near the Stellate Ganglion Region on Pain and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Neuropathic Pain

Background Neuropathic pain associated with sympathetic overactivity can be effectively relieved by light irradiating the region near stellate ganglion (SGI), applied as an alternative to a conventional sympathetic blockade. The clinical effect of SGI on heart rate variability (HRV) and its association with pain outcomes require investigation. Objective This study attempted to identify the effects of SGI on pain outcomes and HRV indices and to determine the association between pain and HRV outcomes. Design A prospective double-blind, randomized study. Setting An outpatient pain medicine clinic. Subjects and Methods A total of 44 patients were enrolled and randomized into the experimental group ( n = 22) and control group ( n = 22). The experimental group received 12 sessions (twice weekly) of standard SGI, whereas the control group received the same protocol with sham irradiation. Pain and HRV were measured before and after each irradiation session. All outcome measures used in the first- and second-half treatment courses were analyzed. Results Pain and HRV outcome measures of the experimental group significantly improved after SGI when compared with the control group in both courses. Considering time and frequency domains, the changes in HRV in the second-half treatment course exceeded those in the first-half treatment course. Pain was significantly associated with postirradiated HRV indices ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Twelve sessions of SGI exerted time-dependent positive effects on pain and sympathovagal imbalance. HRV outcomes, including time and frequency domains, were an independent indicator of the clinical efficiency of SGI for treating pain in patients with neuropathic pain.

Effects of elastic band exercise on lean mass and physical capacity in older women with sarcopenic obesity: A randomized controlled trial

Sarcopenia is associated with loss of muscle mass as well as an increased risk of physical disability in elderly people. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of elastic band resistance training (ERT) on muscle mass and physical function in older women with sarcopenic obesity. A randomized controlled trial with an intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. A total of 56 women (mean ± SD age 67.3 ± 5.1 years) were randomly assigned to the experimental group receiving 12 weeks of ERT and to the control group receiving no exercise intervention. Lean mass (measured using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer), physical capacity (assessed using the global physical capacity score), and a 36-item short form questionnaire were conducted at the baseline examination (T0), as well as the 3-month (T1) and 9-month followups (T2). At T1 and T2, the between-group difference was measured in total skeletal mass relative to T0, with mean differences of 0.70 kg (95% CI 0.12–1.28; P < 0.05) and 0.72 kg (95% CI 0.21–1.23; P < 0.01), respectively. Similar results were found in muscle quality, physical capacity, and physical function outcomes. The ERT exerted a significant beneficial effect on muscle mass, muscle quality, and physical function in older women with sarcopenic obesity.

Effect of body mass index on knee function outcomes following continuous passive motion in patients with osteoarthritis after total knee replacement: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE Obesity may influence postoperative rehabilitation outcomes after total knee replacement (TKR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on the progression of inpatient rehabilitation using continuous passive motion (CPM) and its treatment outcomes. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING A retrospective study was conducted in a rehabilitation centre. In total, 354 patients undergoing primary TKR were enrolled through medical chart review. INTERVENTION All patients commenced the CPM programme immediately after surgery and continued until hospital discharge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Knee flexion, pain score, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) physical function score. DESIGN Patients were divided into five BMI groups: normal weight (n=59), overweight (n=95), Class I obesity (n=90), Class II obesity (n=82) and Class III obesity (n=28). All outcome measures were recorded at admission; daily during the inpatient stay; at discharge; and at 1-, 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments. RESULTS During CPM exercises, obese patients had a smaller initial flexion angle (P<0.001) and a smaller daily increment in the CPM motion arc (P<0.001) compared with patients of normal weight. Severe obesity was associated with poor knee flexion [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 11.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.49 to 40.94, P<0.001] and WOMAC physical function score (aOR 5.09, 95% CI 1.62 to 16.03, P=0.005) at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Obesity had a negative effect on progress during the CPM protocol, which commenced immediately after surgery and continued until discharge. Obesity was also associated with poorer self-reported function at 6-month follow-up.