Combined Effect of Osteoporosis and Poor Dynamic Balance on the Incidence of Sarcopenia in Elderly Chinese Community Suburban-Dwelling Individuals

Effects of Tai Chi on Postural Control in People with Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Effects of Tai Chi on people with peripheral neuropathy (PN) are not yet apparent. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi on postural control in people with PN.

METHODS

Literature was screened in seven databases for relevant randomized controlled trials. The reports and methodological quality were evaluated. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 software.

RESULTS

Ten reports were included, involving a total of 344 subjects. The meta-analysis found that Tai Chi therapy for people with PN resulted in a smaller sway area, in the double-leg stance with eyes closed test (SMD = -2.43, I² = 0%), than that observed in the control group, greater distance covered in the six-minute walking test (SMD = -0.46, I² = 49%) and faster performance in the timed-up-and-go test (SMD = 0.68, I² = 50%), than the baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Tai chi effectively enhanced dynamic postural control in people with PN. However, no better effects on postural control from Tai Chi than from other rehabilitation approaches were observed in this study. Further high-quality trials are needed to better understand Tai Chi's effects on individuals with PN.

Effects of resistance and balance exercises for athletic ability and quality of life in people with osteoporotic vertebral fracture: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials

Purpose

This study aimed to use meta-analysis to determine the impact of resistance and balance training on athletic ability and quality of life for patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF).

Methods

This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) criteria for systematic reviews and meta-analyzes. The PubMed, Web of science, Cochrane, Embase, and CNKI databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to September 2022. The search strategy was related to the intervention measures, population, and results, and was structured around the search terms: “Exercise,” “Osteoporotic vertebral fracture,” and “activities of function.” Two reviewers strictly implemented the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subgroup analyzes of age and training duration were performed for the main outcomes.

Results

We included 12 RCTs (n = 1,289) of resistance and balance training in patients with OVF. Compared with controls, the intervention group showed improvements on the Quality of Life Questionnaire issued by the European Foundation for Osteoporosis, visual analog pain scale, Timed Up and Go, falls efficacy scale international (FES-I), kyphosis, and functional reach. On subgroup analysis, the effect was more significant when training continued >10 weeks.

Conclusion

Resistance and balance exercise training improved function and balance, and reduced fall risk in patients with OVF. We recommend resistance and balance training for at least 10 weeks. Future multicenter, large sample trials are needed for more reliable conclusions.

A pooled analysis of the association between sarcopenia and osteoporosis

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is a progressive generalized skeletal muscle disorder that causes the accelerated loss of muscle mass and function. Osteoporosis is a systemic condition of the skeleton that results in low bone mass and quality. Several studies have suggested that osteoporosis and sarcopenia are interrelated; however, a few studies indicate the lack of a significant association between sarcopenia and osteoporosis. We aimed to evaluate the association between sarcopenia and osteoporosis via a systematic review and pooled analysis.

METHODS

From the inception of the PubMed and Embase databases until September 2022, we conducted a systematic search for studies evaluating the relationship between sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: We included observational studies that provided 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and risk estimates. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the quality of the research. The random-effects model was applied to the pool analysis, and the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were finally calculated.

RESULTS

The primary statistic was the mutual risk between sarcopenia and osteoporosis. According to the inclusion criteria, 56 studies (796,914 participants) were finally included. Sarcopenia was significantly correlative to the risk of osteoporosis (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 2.30-4.08), and each standard deviation increase in relative appendicular skeletal muscle mass was significantly related to a decreased risk of osteoporosis (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.56-0.75). Osteoporosis observably referred to a higher risk of sarcopenia (OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.98-3.49).

CONCLUSION

Our research indicated that sarcopenia and osteoporosis are highly positively correlated. Osteoporosis is closely associated with the risk of sarcopenia. Our finding highlights the importance of sarcopenia screening for those at risk of osteoporosis, and vice versa. However, heterogeneity was noted among the studies, and this might have influenced the accuracy of the results. Therefore, the results of our study should be interpreted with caution.

Prevalence, Incidence, and Associated Factors of Possible Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Chinese Older Adults: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, incidence, and associated factors of possible sarcopenia in a nationwide representative sample of the community-dwelling older Chinese population. Methods:This study used the data of participants aged 60 years and over from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Data on participants from three waves (2011-2015) of CHARLS were extracted. Possible sarcopenia was defined as low muscle strength or low physical performance, based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus. We first described baseline prevalence and four-year incidence of possible sarcopenia. Then multiple logistic regression and multivariable parametric proportional hazard model with Weibull distribution were used to examine the association of risk factors with baseline prevalence and four-year incidence of possible sarcopenia, respectively. Results:The prevalence of possible sarcopenia was 46.0%. The four-year incidence of possible sarcopenia was 11.9 per 100 person-years. Multivariable analysis revealed that advanced age and depressive symptoms were associated with increased prevalence of possible sarcopenia, while receiving education and moderate or high physical activity were associated with a lower risk of possible sarcopenia prevalence. For incidence, only advanced age was associated with an increased risk of possible sarcopenia incidence. Conclusion:Our study revealed the substantial burden of possible sarcopenia and related risk factors in community-dwelling settings in China. It highlighted the importance of early detection and intervention in this subclinical group for the prevention of sarcopenia.

The Added Value of Combined Timed Up and Go Test, Walking Speed, and Grip Strength on Predicting Recurrent Falls in Chinese Community-dwelling Elderly

Purpose

To determine whether combined performance-based models could exert better predictive values toward discriminating community-dwelling elderly with high risk of any-falls or recurrent-falls.

Participants and Methods

This prospective cohort study included a total of 875 elderly participants (mean age: 67.10±5.94 years) with 513 females and 362 males, recruited from Hangu suburb area of Tianjin, China. All participants completed comprehensive assessments.

Methods

We documented information about sociodemographic information, behavioral characteristics and medical conditions. Three functional tests—timed up and go test (TUGT), walking speed (WS), and grip strength (GS) were used to create combined models. New onsets of any-falls and recurrent-falls were ascertained at one-year follow-up appointment.

Results

In total 200 individuals experienced falls over a one-year period, in which 66 individuals belonged to the recurrent-falls group (33%). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), the cutoff points of TUGT, WS, and GS toward recurrent-falls were 10.31 s, 0.9467 m/s and 0.3742 kg/kg respectively. We evaluated good performance as “+” while poor performance as “–”. After multivariate adjustment, we found “TUGT >10.31 s” showed a strong correlation with both any-falls (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=2.025; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.425–2.877) and recurrent-falls (adjusted OR=2.150; 95%CI=1.169–3.954). Among combined functional models, “TUGT >10.31 s, GS <0.3742 kg/kg, WS >0.9467 m/s” showed strongest correlation with both any-falls (adjusted OR=5.499; 95%CI=2.982–10.140) and recurrent-falls (adjusted OR=8.260; 95%CI=3.880–17.585). And this combined functional model significantly increased discriminating abilities on screening recurrent-fallers than a single test (C-statistics=0.815, 95%CI=0.782–0.884, P<0.001), while not better than a single test in predicting any-fallers (P=0.083).

Conclusion

Elderly people with poor TUGT performance, weaker GS but quicker WS need to be given high priority toward fall prevention strategies for higher risks and frequencies. Meanwhile, the combined “TUGT–, GS–, WS+” model presents increased discriminating ability and could be used as a conventional tool to discriminate recurrent-fallers in clinical practice.

The Impact of Tai Chi on Motor Function, Balance, and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

Parkinson's disease adversely affects function and quality of life, leading to increased mortality. The practice of Tai Chi has been associated with multifaceted improvements in health-related fitness. Considering the limited number of clinical studies included in previous reviews, inconsistent methodological quality, and inconclusive results, this meta-analysis aims to assess the effects of Tai Chi in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Method

Four English language databases and four Chinese databases were systematically searched for existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Tai Chi in Parkinson's disease from database inception through August 1, 2020. Methodological quality was appraised with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. A meta-analysis of comparative effects was performed using the Review Manager v.5.3 software.

Results

Seventeen published RCTs totaling 951 subjects were included. Results showed that Tai Chi has a statistically significant effect on the outcomes of gait velocity, unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) motor score, activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) score, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The effects on the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis of Parkinson's disease and Tai Chi suggests Tai Chi is a relatively safe activity that can result in gains in general motor function and improve bradykinesia and balance. It has no statistically significant advantage for quality of life and functional mobility. Further randomized trials with larger sample sizes and of higher methodological quality are needed to confirm these results and to assess the feasibility of Tai Chi intervention for potential different clinical applications.

Osteosarcopenic Obesity Associated with Poor Physical Performance in the Elderly Chinese Community

Objective

The aims of this study were to investigate the association between osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) and physical performance in Chinese elderly communities.

Methods

Our study population is comprised of residents of the Township Central Hospital in the suburban of Tianjin, China. Participants (n=303; percent body fat (PBF): ≥25% for men and ≥32% for women) were assessed using the direct segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for body composition. Sarcopenia was defined as the lower 20th percentile of appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height² (ASMI). A quantitative ultrasound scan of each participants’ calcaneus with a T score≤−1.0 was used to identify the prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis (OP). We divided people into four groups: obesity only (O), osteopenic obesity (OO), sarcopenic obesity (SO), and osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO). We assessed the physical performance by grip strength, 4-m walk test (WS) and timed up and go test (TUGT).

Results

A total of 303 participants had completed data (89 men, 214 women; mean age of 68.8±6.0 years). The prevalence of OSO was 10.2% (men: 15.70%, women: 7.9%). After multiple adjustments, WS was significantly declined in OSO group when compared with the O group in men (mean value 95% CI was 0.84 (0.69, 0.99)) and women (mean value 95% CI was 0.93 (0.84, 1.02)). TUGT was significantly poorer in men (mean value 95% CI was 13.3 (10.6, 15.9)) and women (mean value 95% CI was 12.4 (11.2, 13.7)) with OSO when compared with the O group. Furthermore, the OSO group in women also had a significantly poorer TUGT compared with the OO group. The result of grip strength decreased significantly in women SO and OSO groups when compared with the O group (mean value 95% CI was 16.4 (14.5, 18.2) and 16.1 (13.9, 18.3)). But the results of grip strength in men showed no significant differences in any of the group.

Conclusion

In Chinese community-dwelling elderly, slower WS and lower balance function were associated with OSO in men and women. Lower grip strength was associated with SO and OSO in women.