• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.58-67
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the Tai chi exercise program on the physical function, self-esteem and social behavior in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods: This study utilized a nonequivalent control group with pretest-posttest design. The 45 subjects were recruited from a mental health care facility in D city and randomly assigned either to the experimental group (n=23) or to the control group (n=22). The experimental group participated in the Tai chi exercise program, twice a week for 12 weeks. Data were analyzed with SPSSWIN V. 11.5 program, using $X^2$-test and t-test. Results: After 12 weeks, there were significant differences in flexibility (p=.027), balance (p=.011), self-esteem (p=.005) and social behavior (p=.003) between the experimental and the control groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed the positive effects of Tai-Chi exercise program in patients with schizophrenia. Further studies are required to determine the effects on physical and social variables.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.389-399
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was done to identify effects of a 12 weeks Tai Chi exercise and education intervention program on HbA1C, sexual function and IL-12 (Interleukin 12), IL-4 (Interleukin 4), TNF-${\alpha}$ (Tumor Necrosis Factor) for women with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The study had a nonequivalent control group pretest posttest design. The participants were 64 women with diabetes recruited from an outpatient clinic of a university hospital. The Tai Chi exercise and education intervention program was provided twice a week for 12 weeks for the 32 women in the experimental group. The 32 women in the control group were maintained on basic outpatient treatment. Outcome variables were HbA1C, sexual dysfunction scores, IL-4, IL-12 and TNF-${\alpha}$. Results: The experimental group showed significantly improved HbA1C (F=3.10, p=.004), and sexual function (F=3.78, p=.001) compared to the control group. Also for the experimental group TNF-${\alpha}$ (F=-2.69, p=.004) significantly increased compared to the control group. Conclusion: Results indicate that a Tai Chi exercise and education intervention program can be utilized effectively for women with type 2 diabetes.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.186-197
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• 2018

This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis designed to investigate the effects of physical activity programs on sleep among community-dwelling elders in Korea. Based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines, research articles published until November 20, 2016 were systematically analyzed and a total of seven papers were finally selected. Meta-analysis of the studies was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0. The results showed that the total effect of the physical activity program for elderly people, such as healing yoga, aerobic dance, aquarobics, Korean dance, BeHas exercise, exercise programs and Tai Chi exercise on sleep was Hedges' g=0.577 (95% CI: 0.337-0.817) The BeHas exercise program had the largest effect size on elderly's sleep, with a Hedges' g=0.758 (95% CI: 0.248-1.267). This was followed by the Tai Chi exercise program (Hedges' g=0.697; 95% CI: 0.071-1.324) and the exercise program (Hedges' g=0.650; 95% CI: 0.141-1.159). Therefore, when applying nursing interventions to improve quality of sleep of elderly people living in the community, it would be helpful to apply the BeHas exercise and the Tai Chi exercise, which have a positive effect on sleep of the elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Tai-Chi exercise (TCE) and resistance exercise (RE) when used as part of a community-based exercise program on improvement of physical function in elderly women with knee arthritis. Methods: Forty-seven women with knee arthritis participated in this study. They were assigned to one of two groups: the TCE group (n=22) or the RE group (n=25). Tai-Chi exercise and resistance exercise sessions were held for 1 hour per session, twice per week, for 8 consecutive weeks. At pre-treatment and post-treatment, subjects were tested using the following measurements: one-legged stand test (sec), a functional reach test (cm), a test of the strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles, determination of the pathway of center of foot pressure and vertical ground reaction force for stance phase at pre and post treatment time points. An independent t-test and a ${\chi}^2$ were used to determine the significance of differences between group means using SPSS 12.0. Results: After 8 weeks of participation in the exercise programs, there were significant improvements for both groups in joint pain, difficulty of performing activity, muscle strength of knee extensor and flexor. Also, vertical ground reaction force increased at the loading response phase for both groups. The RE group was significantly different from TC group on the eyes-closed one-legged stand test (sec). Conclusion: Tai-Chi exercise and resistance exercise programs improve physical functioning and reduce pain and locomotion difficulties.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.74-87
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• 2004

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the outcome of exercise programs for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients and its tendency with network analysis. Method: 30 articles from Medline search of foreign nursing journals(1966-2002) and 5 from three Korean nursing journals(1970-2002) were surveyed. The contents analyses were focused on outcome measures and network analysis of exercise programs. Results: Exercise programs result in improving muscle strength(91.7%), aerobic capacity(72.9%), and 50 feet walk time(57.3%). Among several exercises, water exercise, and Tai-chi are in the middle of weight-bearing exercises. In the experimental design, non-randomized control trials were 40%, and the functional status of subjects were not classified in 40% of the articles surveyed. Conclusion: Considering the results, muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and 50 feet walk time were tested as valid outcome measures. Tai-chi exercise could be recommended as proper exercise for Rheumatoid arthritis patients because of its low intensity of weight-bearing exercise. In terms of research methods, the randomized trials and functional classifications of rheumatoid arthritis should be done more strictly.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.7-19
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• 2006

Falls are a major sources of death and injury in elderly people. Aged-related changes in the physiological systems which contribute to the maintenance of balance are well documented in older adults. These changes coupled with age-related changes in muscle and bone are likely to contribute to an increased risk of falls in this population. Regular exercise may be one way of preventing falls and fall-related fractures. However, the optimal exercise prescription to prevent falls has not yet been defined. On the literature review of exercise intervention for fall prevention in the elderly, exercise appeared to be a useful tool in fall prevention by improving fall risk factors. The optimum exercise prescription; moderate intensity frequency of 3-4 times per week, duration of 30-60minutes can contribute to decreased hazards and number of fall. Fall prevention protocol should include safety, falling effect, enjoyment, and easiness to follow for older people. Effective exercise programs suggested for fall prevention were such as weight-bearing exercise, resistance exercise, lower muscle strength with elastic band, swiss ball exercise walking, tai chi, and yoga.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.269-279
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• 2008

Purpose: The study was to examine the effect of lumbar stabilization exercise on back pain, physical fitness, sleep, and depression in middle-aged women who have chronic back pain. Methods: With one group pre-post test design, 18 subjects who have had more than 6 months of back pain were recruited by convenience sampling in D metropolitan area. Lumbar stabilization exercise was based on Tai Chi for back pain program developed by Lam(2003). This program was mainly focusing on strengthening lumbar stabilizing muscle for one hour per session, twice a week for 20 weeks. Degree of back pain, back pain disability, sleep, and depression were measured at three time points(pretest, 12 weeks, and 20 weeks) by a structured study questionnaire. Physical fitness variables including waist flexibility, mobility, and back muscle strength were measured three times at health promotion center located in the university hospital. Data were analyzed by frequency, descriptive statistics, and repeated measures of ANOVA. Results: Mean age of subjects was 52 years(SD = 6.4). Most of them(90%) had suffered from back pain more than one year and 67% was taking medicine to relieve their back pain. Results showed that back pain score and disability score were not significantly decreased after the exercise. On physical fitness variables, however, waist flexibility(F = 3.50, p = .04) and mobility(F = 3.31, p = .04) were improved after the exercise. Quality of sleep(F = 4.48, p = .03) was improved gradually and depression scores were also decreased(F = 3.12, p = .05) after the exercise. Conclusion: This lumbar stabilization exercise was not able to reduce chronic back pain, but could improve physical fitness and psycho-social variables for community dwelling women who have chronic back pain. Further study is needed to replicate this exercise with control group to confirm the positive effect.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of virtual reality-based continuous slow exercise on muscle strength and dynamic balance capacity, in older adults over 65 years of age. Methods: Twenty-six volunteers were randomly divided into two groups; a Virtual Reality (VR) exercise-group ($67.8{\pm}4.1$ yrs) and a Control group ($65.5{\pm}5.2$ yrs). The VR group participated in eight weeks of virtual reality exercise, utilizing modified Tai-Chi provided by a motion capture system, and the Control group had no intervention. The hip muscle strength and dynamic balance of the members of both the VR group and the Control group were measured at pre- and post-intervention, using a multimodal dynamometer, and backward stepping test, respectively. Results: 1. After the 8-week VR-based exercise, the VR group showed significant improvement of hip strength, compared to the control group: hip extension (p=0.00), flexion (p=0.00), abduction (p=0.00), and adduction (p=0.00). 2. After the 8-week VR-based exercise, the VR group showed significant improvement of dynamic balance capacity as ground reaction force, compared to the control group. Eyes opened backward stepping test: Fx (+) (p=0.00), Fy (-) (p=0.02), Ver (+) (p=0.02) direction. Eyes closed backward stepping test: Fx (+) (p=0.04), Fy (-) (p=0.04), Ver (+) (p=0.03) direction. Conclusion: The VR group showed improvement of their hip muscle strength, and dynamic balance capacity. Therefore VR-based continuous slow exercise would contribute to reducing the risk of falls in the elderly.