Lifestyle Related Research from Pubmed

Tai Chi is effective in treating knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.

Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Oct 29;61(11):1545-1553

Authors: Wang C, Schmid CH, Hibberd PL, Kalish R, Roubenoff R, Rones R, McAlindon T

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial of 40 individuals with symptomatic tibiofemoral OA. Patients were randomly assigned to 60 minutes of Tai Chi (10 modified forms from classic Yang style) or attention control (wellness education and stretching) twice weekly for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included WOMAC function, patient and physician global assessments, timed chair stand, depression index, self-efficacy scale, and quality of life. We repeated these assessments at 24 and 48 weeks. Analyses were compared by intent-to-treat principles. RESULTS: The 40 patients had a mean age of 65 years and a mean body mass index of 30.0 kg/m(2). Compared with the controls, patients assigned to Tai Chi exhibited significantly greater improvement in WOMAC pain (mean difference at 12 weeks -118.80 mm [95% confidence interval (95% CI) -183.66, -53.94; P = 0.0005]), WOMAC physical function (-324.60 mm [95% CI -513.98, -135.22; P = 0.001]), patient global visual analog scale (VAS; -2.15 cm [95% CI -3.82, -0.49; P = 0.01]), physician global VAS (-1.71 cm [95% CI -2.75, -0.66; P = 0.002]), chair stand time (-10.88 seconds [95% CI -15.91, -5.84; P = 0.00005]), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (-6.70 [95% CI -11.63, -1.77; P = 0.009]), self-efficacy score (0.71 [95% CI 0.03, 1.39; P = 0.04]), and Short Form 36 physical component summary (7.43 [95% CI 2.50, 12.36; P = 0.004]). No severe adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Tai Chi reduces pain and improves physical function, self-efficacy, depression, and health-related quality of life for knee OA.

PMID: 19877092 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

An investigation of brain processes supporting meditation.

Cogn Process. 2009 Oct 31;

Authors: Bærentsen KB, Stødkilde-Jørgensen H, Sommerlund B, Hartmann T, Damsgaard-Madsen J, Fosnæs M, Green AC

Meditation is an ancient spiritual practice, which aims to still the fluctuations of the mind. We investigated meditation with fMRI in order to identify and characterise both the "neural switch" mechanism used in the voluntary shift from normal consciousness to meditation and the "threshold regulation mechanism" sustaining the meditative state. Thirty-one individuals with 1.5-25 years experience in meditation were scanned using a blocked on-off design with 45 s alternating epochs during the onset of respectively meditation and normal relaxation. Additionally, 21 subjects were scanned during 14.5 min of sustained meditation. The data were analysed with SPM and ICA. During the onset of meditation, activations were found bilaterally in the putamen and the supplementary motor cortex, while deactivations were found predominately in the right hemisphere, the precuneus, the posterior cingulum and the parieto-temporal area. During sustained meditation, SPM analysis revealed activation in the head of nucleus caudatus. Extensive deactivations were observed in white matter in the right hemisphere, i.e. mainly in the posterior occipito-parieto-temporal area and in the frontal lobes. ICA identified 38 components including known baseline-resting state components, one of which not only overlaps with the activated area revealed in the SPM analysis but extends further into frontal, temporal, parietal and limbic areas, and might presumably constitute a combination of frontoparietal and cinguloopercular task control systems. The identified component processes display varying degrees of correlation. We hypothesise that a proper characterisation of brain processes during meditation will require an operational definition of brain dynamics matching a stable state of mind.

PMID: 19876663 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Diaphragmatic Breathing Reduces Exercise-induced Oxidative Stress.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Oct 29;

Authors: Martarelli D, Cocchioni M, Scuri S, Pompei P

Diaphragmatic breathing is relaxing and therapeutic, reduces stress, and is a fundamental procedure of Pranayama Yoga, Zen, transcendental meditation and other meditation practices. Analysis of oxidative stress levels in people who meditate indicated that meditation correlates with lower oxidative stress levels, lower cortisol levels and higher melatonin levels. It is known that cortisol inhibits enzymes responsible for the antioxidant activity of cells and that melatonin is a strong antioxidant; therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of diaphragmatic breathing on exercise-induced oxidative stress and the putative role of cortisol and melatonin hormones in this stress pathway. We monitored 16 athletes during an exhaustive training session. After the exercise, athletes were divided in two equivalent groups of eight subjects. Subjects of the studied group spent 1 h relaxing performing diaphragmatic breathing and concentrating on their breath in a quiet place. The other eight subjects, representing the control group, spent the same time sitting in an equivalent quite place. Results demonstrate that relaxation induced by diaphragmatic breathing increases the antioxidant defense status in athletes after exhaustive exercise. These effects correlate with the concomitant decrease in cortisol and the increase in melatonin. The consequence is a lower level of oxidative stress, which suggests that an appropriate diaphragmatic breathing could protect athletes from long-term adverse effects of free radicals.

PMID: 19875429 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Effect of tailored practice and patient care plans on secondary prevention of heart disease in general practice: cluster randomised controlled trial.

BMJ. 2009;339:b4220

Authors: Murphy AW, Cupples ME, Smith SM, Byrne M, Byrne MC, Newell J,

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of a complex intervention designed, within a theoretical framework, to improve outcomes for patients with coronary heart disease. DESIGN: Cluster randomised controlled multicentre trial. SETTING: General practices in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, regions with different healthcare systems. PARTICIPANTS: 903 patients with established coronary heart disease registered with one of 48 practices. INTERVENTION: Tailored care plans for practices (practice based training in prescribing and behaviour change, administrative support, quarterly newsletter), and tailored care plans for patients (motivational interviewing, goal identification, and target setting for lifestyle change) with reviews every four months at the practices. Control practices provided usual care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportion of patients at 18 month follow-up above target levels for blood pressure and total cholesterol concentration, and those admitted to hospital, and changes in physical and mental health status (SF-12). RESULTS: At baseline the numbers (proportions) of patients above the recommended limits were: systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg (305/899; 33.9%, 95% confidence interval 30.8% to 33.9%), diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mm Hg (111/901; 12.3%, 10.2% to 14.5%), and total cholesterol concentration greater than 5 mmol/l (188/860; 20.8%, 19.1% to 24.6%). At the 18 month follow-up there were no significant differences between intervention and control groups in the numbers (proportions) of patients above the recommended limits: systolic blood pressure, intervention 98/360 (27.2%) v control, 133/405 (32.8%), odds ratio 1.51 (95% confidence interval 0.99 to 2.30; P=0.06); diastolic blood pressure, intervention 32/360 (8.9%) v control, 40/405 (9.9%), 1.40 (0.75 to 2.64; P=0.29); and total cholesterol concentration, intervention 52/342 (15.2%) v control, 64/391 (16.4%), 1.13 (0.63 to 2.03; P=0.65). The number of patients admitted to hospital over the 18 month study period significantly decreased in the intervention group compared with the control group: 107/415 (25.8%) v 148/435 (34.0%), 1.56 (1.53 to 2.60; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Admissions to hospital were significantly reduced after an intensive 18 month intervention to improve outcomes for patients with coronary heart disease, but no other clinical benefits were shown, possibly because of a ceiling effect related to improved management of the disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN24081411.

PMID: 19875426 [PubMed - in process]

Increased Complement Factor H with Decreased Factor B Determined by Proteomic Differential Displays as a Biomarker of Tai Chi Chuan Exercise.

Clin Chem. 2009 Nov 2;

Authors: Yang KD, Chang WC, Chuang H, Wang PW, Liu RT, Yeh SH

BACKGROUND: Exhaustive exercise can be associated with short-term immune suppression, but moderate exercise such as tai chi chuan (TCC) has been shown to have beneficial effects on immunity. The mechanisms for the health benefits of exercise remain to be determined, and no potential biomarkers for these beneficial health effects have been identified. This study investigated serum proteomic markers in individuals participating in TCC exercise. METHODS: Two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis was used to compare proteomic markers in 3 individuals before and after 12 weeks of TCC exercise. The different protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry and validated in an additional 20 individuals by western blot analysis. RESULTS: We identified 39 protein spots for 18 proteins with a significant increase or decrease after TCC exercise. Validation of the differentially displayed proteins with 20 paired pre- and postexercise samples revealed a significant increase in complement factor H (P = 0.0034) associated with decreases in C1q esterase inhibitor (P = 0.0038) and complement factor B (P = 0.0029). CONCLUSIONS: In this first study of proteomic biomarkers of TCC exercise, we found an increase in complement factor H associated with a decrease in complement factor B. Complement factor H is involved in protection from microangiopathy and macular degeneration and may represent a useful marker of the health effects of exercise.

PMID: 19884489 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Impact of Medical Qigong on quality of life, fatigue, mood and inflammation in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Ann Oncol. 2009 Oct 30;

Authors: Oh B, Butow P, Mullan B, Clarke S, Beale P, Pavlakis N, Kothe E, Lam L, Rosenthal D

BACKGROUND: Substantial numbers of cancer patients use complementary medicine therapies, even without a supportive evidence base. This study aimed to evaluate in a randomized controlled trial, the use of Medical Qigong (MQ) compared with usual care to improve the quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-two patients with a range of cancers were recruited. QOL and fatigue were measured by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue, respectively, and mood status by Profile of Mood State. The inflammatory marker serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was monitored serially. RESULTS: Regression analysis indicated that the MQ group significantly improved overall QOL (t(144) = -5.761, P < 0.001), fatigue (t(153) = -5.621, P < 0.001), mood disturbance (t(122) =2.346, P = 0.021) and inflammation (CRP) (t(99) = 2.042, P < 0.044) compared with usual care after controlling for baseline variables. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that MQ can improve cancer patients' overall QOL and mood status and reduce specific side-effects of treatment. It may also produce physical benefits in the long term through reduced inflammation.

PMID: 19880433 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Isotopic evidence of dietary variations and weaning practices in the Gaya cemetery at Yeanri, Gimhae, South Korea.

Am J Phys Anthropol. 2009 Oct 27;

Authors: Choy K, Jeon OR, Fuller BT, Richards MP

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses were conducted to investigate dietary variation in human skeletons (n = 109) from the Gaya cemetery at Yeanri located near Gimhae City, South Korea. The cemetery contained three distinct grave types dating to 4th-7th century AD. The main purposes of this research were to reconstruct palaeodiet in the Gaya population and to explore correlations between stable isotope compositions and burial types, inferred age, and sex of these individuals. The isotopic data indicate that the people at Yeanri consumed a predominantly C(3)-based terrestrial diet supplemented with freshwater and/or marine resources. The comparison of isotopic results reveals significant differences in delta(13)C values among three adult burial types (wood-cist coffin: -18.5 +/- 0.5 per thousand, stone-cist coffin: -18.1 +/- 0.6 per thousand, mausoleum: -17.8 +/- 0.9 per thousand). Males in wood-cist and stone-cist coffins have relatively more elevated mean delta(13)C and delta(15)N values than females. The isotopic ratios from the two adult age groups (21-40 years and 40-60 years) indicate that there was no significant dietary change in individuals with age. The isotope data from the infants and children suggest the weaning was a gradual process that was completed between 3 and 4 years of age in the Gaya population. This evidence indicates that the dietary variations within the cemetery reflect social status, sex, and childhood consumption patterns. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID: 19862807 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

A self-referential default brain state: patterns of coherence, power, and eLORETA sources during eyes-closed rest and Transcendental Meditation practice.

Cogn Process. 2009 Oct 28;

Authors: Travis F, Haaga DA, Hagelin J, Tanner M, Arenander A, Nidich S, Gaylord-King C, Grosswald S, Rainforth M, Schneider RH

Activation of a default mode network (DMN) including frontal and parietal midline structures varies with cognitive load, being more active during low-load tasks and less active during high-load tasks requiring executive control. Meditation practices entail various degrees of cognitive control. Thus, DMN activation patterns could give insight into the nature of meditation practices. This 10-week random assignment study compared theta2, alpha1, alpha2, beta1, beta2 and gamma EEG coherence, power, and eLORETA cortical sources during eyes-closed rest and Transcendental Meditation (TM) practice in 38 male and female college students, average age 23.7 years. Significant brainwave differences were seen between groups. Compared to eyes-closed rest, TM practice led to higher alpha1 frontal log-power, and lower beta1 and gamma frontal and parietal log-power; higher frontal and parietal alpha1 interhemispheric coherence and higher frontal and frontal-central beta2 intrahemispheric coherence. eLORETA analysis identified sources of alpha1 activity in midline cortical regions that overlapped with the DMN. Greater activation in areas that overlap the DMN during TM practice suggests that meditation practice may lead to a foundational or 'ground' state of cerebral functioning that may underlie eyes-closed rest and more focused cognitive processes.

PMID: 19862565 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Health Promoting Habits of People Who Pray for Their Health.

J Relig Health. 2009 Oct 27;

Authors: Harrigan JT

To determine the health habits of people who pray for their health, data from the National Health Interview Survey was analyzed for health habits of people who prayed or did not pray for their health. Of the 22,314 respondents, 13,179 (59%) prayed for their health. These individuals saw a physician more frequently, participated more frequently in vigorous exercise and used more relaxation techniques, support groups, meditation and complimentary and alternative medicine therapies. People who pray for their health participate in more health promoting behaviors than people who do not pray for their health.

PMID: 19859811 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

How do people change their diet?: an exploration into mechanisms of dietary change.

J Health Psychol. 2009 Nov;14(8):1229-42

Authors: Chapman K, Ogden J

The present study explored how people change their diet over the course of their lifespan and what factors facilitate this process. Twenty participants' narratives were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The participants' narratives indicated that diet changes can occur either with or without the individual's active involvement. We labelled these the active path and the passive path. Four themes emerged denoting the mechanisms of change: accumulation of evidence; trigger to action; imposed change; and seamless change. These results indicate that dietary changes may not be as infrequent and difficult as often assumed and highlight an array of new mechanisms which could be explored further to promote behaviour change.

PMID: 19858342 [PubMed - in process]