PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of 12 weeks of Tai Chi exercise on physical function, stress and depression in middle aged women with osteoarthritis. METHOD: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Forty two participants were assigned to either the experimental group (21) or control group (21). Frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviations, chi-square-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and repeated measured ANOVA with SPSS 12.0/PC program were used to analyzed the collected data. RESULTS: For physical function the physical fitness of the experimental group improved significantly more than the control group: Leg strength, balance, flexibility and grip strength. Difficulty of performing activity had a tendency of decrease. Stress showed a tendency of as time passed but the decrease was not significant. Depression decreased and the change was significant. CONCLUSION: The Tai Chi exercise was effective in improving physical function and reducing the stress and depression of middle aged women with osteoarthritis. Therefore the Tai Chi exercise could be used as a nursing intervention for osteoarthritis in middle aged women.
Depression ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Leg ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis ; Physical Fitness ; Pliability ; Research Design ; Tai Ji

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neurohormonal compensation plays an important role on the pathophysiologic aspects of congestive heart failure (CHF). There is recent clinical evidence that beta blocker is beneficial in selected patients. However, there is little information regarding the effect of beta blocker on elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 26 patients of CHF under stable condition by conventional management were selected and were divided into two age subgroup. Group 1 were more than 65 years (n=12) and group 2 were less than 65 years (n=14). From 12.5 to 25 mg/day of carvedilol was given according to the clinical condition. The left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular end systolic dimension (LVESD), left ventricular volume index (LVVI), ejection fraction (LVEF), E/A ratio and E wave deceleration time (EwDT) of mitral inflow doppler velocity were measured by echocardiographic examination before and 3 months after carvedilol trial. Six-minute walk distance were also measured. RESULTS: Between before and after carvedilol treatment, there were significant decrease of LVVI and sign-ificant increase of EF in group I and group II. The EwDT and 6 minute walk distance of both group were also increased significantly after carvedilol trial. The delta EF of group I is smaller than group II (4.1+/-5.7 vs 9.7+/-10.0, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: When compared to younger patients with CHF, the efficacy of carvedilol on LV function in aged patients was evident. Improved clinical conditions would be expected by using carvedilol in elderly patients with CHF.
Aged* ; Compensation and Redress ; Deceleration ; Echocardiography ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart Failure* ; Humans ; Ventricular Function, Left*