Surface Electromyography Analysis of the Lower Extremities of Subjects Participating in Baduanjin Exercises

Effects of kinesio taping therapy on gait and surface electromyography in stroke patients with hemiplegia

Background: The application of Kinesio Taping (KT) on the lower extremity of stroke patients can improve the quality of somatosensory information by activating lower extremity muscles involved in postural control. Gait analysis and surface electromyography (SEMG) are valuable in assessing the motor ability of the lower extremities.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of KT therapy on gait and SEMG in stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were included in the study. KT was applied to the lower extremities of the hemiplegic side. Quantitative gait parameters were measured by a gait analysis system (IDEEA, by MiniSun, United States) and activation of the lower extremity muscles were evaluated by the SEMG (Trigno™ Wireless Systems, Delsys Inc., United States) before and after taping. Step length, stride length, pulling acceleration, swing power, ground impact, and energy expenditure were used to evaluate when patients walk as usual. SEMG signals were collected from the anterior bilateral tibialis (TA) and the lateral gastrocnemius (LG). The root mean square (RMS) value was used to assess muscle activity. SEMG signals were examined before and after KT treatment in three different locomotor conditions of the patients: walking at a natural speed, walking with a weight of 5 kg, dual-tasking walking (walking + calculation task) while carrying a weight of 5 kg. The calculation task was to ask the patients to calculate the result of subtracting 7 from 100 and continuing to subtract 7 from the resulting numbers. Comparisons between two normally distributed samples (before and after KT treatment) were evaluated using the two-tailed, paired Student’s t-test.

Results: Stride length (0.89 ± 0.19 vs. 0.96 ± 0.23; p = 0.029), pulling acceleration (0.40 ± 0.21 vs. 1.11 ± 0.74; p = 0.005), and swing power (0.42 ± 0.24 vs. 1.14 ± 0.72; p = 0.004) improved in the hemiplegia side after KT treatment. The RMS value of TA SEMG signals in the limbs on the hemiplegia side decreased after KT treatment during dual-tasking walking carrying a weight of 5 kg (3.65 ± 1.31 vs. 2.93 ± 0.95; p = 0.030).

Conclusion: KT treatment is effective in altering gait and SEMG characteristics in stroke patients with hemiplegia.

The effect of Baduanjin on the balancing ability of older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

To systematically evaluate the effect of Baduanjin on the balancing ability of older adults.

Methods

The systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Six electronic databases were searched for eligible studies. Data synthesis and statistical analysis using a random effects model were performed with Review Manager 5.4. Random-effects weights were used to pool the effect sizes. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plot.

Results

A total of 17 RCTs involving 1,267 patients were identified. The meta-analysis showed that the Baduanjin group was significantly superior to the control group in balancing performance measured by Berg balance scale [mean difference (MD) 4.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.40 to 6.24, P < 0.00001], Timed Up and Go (MD −2.21, 95% CI −2.69 to −1.74, P < 0.00001) and Eye Closed One Leg Standing Balance (MD 2.01, 95% CI 0.79 to 3.23, P < 0.00001) tests.

Conclusion

Baduanjin can effectively affect the balancing ability of older adults. More high-quality evidence-based studies are required to confirm these findings.

Systematic review registration

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=293183], identifier [CRD42021293183].

Baduanjin exercise: A potential promising therapy toward osteoporosis

Purpose

Baduanjin (BDJ) exercise is a traditional exercise that combines breathing, body movement, meditation and awareness to help delay the onset and progression of senile degenerative musculoskeletal diseases, such as osteoporosis (OP). The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of BDJ exercise, and preliminarily infer its effective mechanism in the treatment of OP.

Methods

We identified relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) through eight databases, and compared BDJ exercise with the control groups (including blank control and conventional treatment intervention). The main outcome measure was bone mineral density (BMD), the additional outcome measures were visual analogue scale (VAS), Berg balance scale (BBS), serum Calcium (Ca), serum Phosphorus (P), serum Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and serum bone gla protein (BGP). Meta-analysis and trial sequence analysis (TSA) were performed using RevMan 5.4, Stata 16.0, and TSA 0.9.

Results

In total, 13 RCTs involving 919 patients were included in the analysis. For postmenopausal osteoporosis, BDJ exercise alone and BDJ exercise combined with conventional treatment can improve the BMD of lumbar spine. BDJ exercise alone can influence serum Ca and ALP. BDJ exercise combined with conventional treatment can improve balance (BBS) and influence serum BGP. For senile osteoporosis, BDJ exercise alone and BDJ exercise combined with conventional treatment can improve balance (BBS). BDJ exercise combined with conventional treatment can improve the BMD of hip and pain relieve (VAS). For primary osteoporosis, BDJ exercise combined with conventional treatment can improve the BMD of lumbar spine and femoral neck.

Conclusion

Baduanjin exercise may be beneficial to improve BMD, relieve pain, improve balance ability, influence serum BGP and serum ALP in patients with OP, but differences occur due to various types of OP. Due to the low quality of research on the efficacy and mechanism of BDJ exercise in the treatment of OP, high-quality evidence-based research is still needed to provide reliable supporting evidence.

Systematic Review Registration

[http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42022329022].

Baduanjin exercise ameliorates motor function in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

As a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise, Baduanjin has been documented to have a positive effect on cognitive and physical function in a wide range of populations, but it is unclear whether it helps improve motor function in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). The aim of this two-arm, randomized, parallel controlled study was to explore the rehabilitation effect of Baduanjin exercise on motor function in patients with PSCI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-eight patients with PSCI were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The control group received health education sessions on stroke prevention and rehabilitation. The intervention group received Baduanjin training in addition to the health education intervention. Before and after the 24-week intervention, both groups completed the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and Three-Dimensional Gait Analysis (3DGA).

RESULTS

After the 24-week intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in the FMA, BBS, MMT and MAS test results, but the Baduanjin group exhibited significantly better FMA, BBS and MMT test results than the control group (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, the Baduanjin exercise group showed significant improvements in spatial gait parameters, including the step length, walking speed and cadence, which were significantly better than the control group (all P < 0.05). No adverse events were reported during the study period.

CONCLUSION

The 24-week Baduanjin exercise training may improve the limb motor function, balance, muscle strength and gait function of individuals with PSCI.

The Safety of Baduanjin Exercise: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

Baduanjin exercise is a form of Qigong exercise therapy that has become increasingly popular worldwide. The aims of the current systematic review were to summarize reported adverse events potentially associated with Baduanjin exercise based on currently available literature and to evaluate the quality of the methods used to monitor adverse events in the trials assessed.

METHODS

The English databases PubMed, Cochrane library, and EMbase were searched from inception to October 2020 using the keywords "Baduanjin" or "eight session brocade." Only studies that included Baduanjin exercise therapy were included.

RESULTS

Forty-seven trials with a total of 3877 participants were included in this systematic review. Twenty-two studies reported protocols for monitoring adverse events, and two studies reported the occurrence of adverse events during training. The adverse events reported included palpitation, giddiness, knee pain, backache, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, shoulder pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and muscle ache.

CONCLUSIONS

Only two studies reported adverse events that were potentially caused by Baduanjin exercise. Adverse events related to Baduanjin exercise in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome may include muscle ache, palpitation, giddiness, knee pain, backache, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, shoulder pain, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Further studies conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement guideline incorporating monitoring of adverse events are recommended. Additional clinical trials in which Baduanjin exercise is used as a main intervention are needed, and further meta-analysis may be required to assess its safety and reach more informed conclusions in this regard in the future.

Study on the clinical assessment of integrated rehabilitation of Traditional Chinese Medicine and western medication for acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Baduanjin exercise in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

A single-center, open, randomized controlled clinical trial will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Baduanjin exercise on the rehabilitation of AMI patients. It plans to enroll 64 patients. Patients will be divided evenly into 2 groups using a random number table method. There will be 32 cases in each group. Patients in the experimental group will be treated with standardized drug therapy combined with Baduanjin exercise, while patients in the control group will be treated with standardized drug therapy combined with routine exercise. The primary outcome is the peak oxygen consumption (Peak VO2) during cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). The secondary outcomes include CPET, echocardiography, Seattle angina pectoris scale, hospital depression and anxiety scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale, scores of 4 examinations, and diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine and composite endpoint events, etc. DISCUSSION:: This study will be the first to evaluate the effect of the Baduanjin exercise on the Peak VO2 in patients with AMI.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study has been registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No: ChiCTR1800016209, protocol version 1.2).

Baduanjin exercise for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) is one of the most common public health concerns in the world. Baduanjin is very widely and popularly practiced for the management of CSR. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of Baduanjin exercise for patients with CSR.

METHODS

The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials.gov, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wan Fang database, and VIP databases were searched from inception to July 2019 to identify potentially eligible studies. The methodological quality of the included studies using the risk bias assessment tool of Cochrane. All statistical analysis are conducted with Revman 5.3.

RESULTS

This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide a synthesis of existing evidences for the treatment of Baduanjin on CSR.

CONCLUSION

The conclusions of this study will provide evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of Baduanjin for CSR, which can further guide the promotion and clinical decisions.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020149659.