The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of land-based generic physical activity interventions on pain, physical function, and physical performance in individuals with hip/knee osteoarthritis, when compared with a control group that received no intervention, minimal intervention, or usual care. A systematic search for randomized controlled trials on 11 electronic databases (from their inception up until April 30, 2016) identified 27 relevant articles. According to the compendium of physical activities, interventions were categorized into: recreational activities (tai chi/Baduajin—6 articles), walking (9 articles), and conditioning exercise (12 articles). Meta-analysis for recreational activity (n = 3) demonstrated significant mean difference (MD) of −9.56 (95% confidence interval [CI], −13.95 to −5.17) for physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) at 3 mos from randomization. Pooled estimate for walking intervention was not significant for pain intensity and physical performance but was significant for physical function (n = 2) with a MD of −10.38 (95% CI, −12.27 to −8.48) at 6 mos. Meta-analysis for conditioning exercise was significant for physical function (n = 3) with a MD of −3.74 (95% CI, −5.70 to −1.78) and physical performance (6-minute walk test) with a MD of 42.72 m (95% CI, 27.78, 57.66) at 6 mos. The timed stair-climbing test (n = 2) demonstrated a significant effect at 18 mos with a MD of −0.49 secs (95% CI, −0.75 to −0.23). Very limited evidence to support recreational activity and walking intervention was found for knee osteoarthritis, in the short-term on pain and physical function, respectively.

In this systematic review, we aim to synthesize published evidence on the effects of exercise in improving postural stability among older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). A systematic electronic literature search was undertaken in Pedro, Cochrane, MEDLINE, ProQuest, Science direct and Clinical trial databases involving human participants published from year 2000–2022. This search was updated in June 2022. The studies chosen were based on predetermined criteria. Data relating to the contents and parameters of exercise in persons with AD were gathered and analyzed. A total of 8 experimental studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the selected studies were of a medium quality. In these studies, information and physical exercises were used to improve postural stability in older adults with AD. The findings of the review suggest that performing combined strength, balance and executive function training can improve postural stability. However, we are unable to conclude the specific dose for specific type of exercise. More high-quality studies are required pertaining to exercise prescription for older adults with AD. Mostly, information and physical exercise were delivered via face-to-face sessions conducted by health professionals. The structure of exercises summarized in this review may be beneficial for older adults with AD to improve postural stability and as a result reduce falls.

Background: Balance is crucial in performing functional tasks particularly among older adults. Exergaming is gaining attention as a novel approach to enhance balance in a number of clinical populations. Objectives: The aim of this review was to synthesize and present published evidence for Nintendo Wii Fit™ gaming system protocols. These include game preference, intervention setting, and exercise dosage for improving balance in healthy older adults. Commonly used outcome measures were also identified. Methods: A literature search was developed using the PICOS strategy using keywords such as “older adult,” “Nintendo Wii Fit,” “exergaming,” and “balance” in the databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science. Results: Sixteen articles were included with participants (n = 491) mostly female (69%), and mean age ranged between 71 and 85 years old. Participants were recruited mainly from the community. The most commonly used Wii Fit games were Table tilt, Soccer Heading, Ski Slalom, and Ski jump, performed three times per week, with a duration of 30 minutes per session for 6 weeks. Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and Centre of Pressure were the most commonly used outcome measures. Conclusion: Wii Fit exergames can be a potential alternative to improve balance if safety and technical procedures are provided. With conflicting and mechanism-based evidence on dosage presented, exergaming parameters require further research before firm recommendations can be made. Clinically, effective dosage is an important component in any type of interventions, and exergaming should not be an exception.

Exergaming (exercise and gaming) is useful in improving balance in various health conditions, yet there is limited research regarding its application in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA).Th...

Background: Accurate assessment of muscle strength is crucial for clinical practice. While traditional methods like manual muscle testing (MMT) are accessible, isokinetic dynamometry (ID) is the gold standard due to its reliability, although it is expensive, space-consuming, and requires extensive training. Hand-held dynamometers (HHDs) have demonstrated a strong correlation with ID values, suggesting good to excellent validity. However, factors such as muscle group, evaluator proficiency, and protocol standardization can influence hand-held dynamometer (HHD) measurements. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability and validity of HHDs for lower extremity strength assessment in healthy adults and to identify common test protocols. Methods: A comprehensive electronic search was conducted in six databases (PubMed, Medline and CINAHL via Ebsco host, ISI Web of Science, ProQuest, and Science Direct) from January 2017 to May 2023. Studies were included if they assessed asymptomatic participants using HHDs for isometric or concentric contractions of the hip, knee, or ankle and focused on psychometric properties. The QAREL and QUADAS-2 checklists were used to assess reliability and validity, respectively. To complement these 2 checklists, GRADE was used to determine the certainty of evidence. A meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the pooled reliability and validity of HHDs. Results: Eighteen studies were included. Sixteen investigated HHD reliability, with eight being solely reliability studies. Reliability was operationalized through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Eight studies received high QAREL scores, indicating strong methodological quality. The remaining studies received low QAREL scores, suggesting methodological weaknesses. These reliability studies revealed moderate to very high correlations for inter-rater and intra-rater reliability, indicating HHDs can be a dependable tool for evaluating lower limb muscle strength. Ten studies investigated the validity of HHD for measuring muscle strength in the lower limbs. Pearson correlation coefficients showed moderate to perfect positive correlations between HHD and ID measurements, suggesting alignment. Four studies provided data for meta-analysis. The pooled estimate for internal consistency for all hip and knee movement strength assessments across studies was high to very high, indicating minimal measurement error and reliable measurements. Conclusion: HHDs are reliable and valid for assessing lower extremity muscle strength in healthy adults. Their ease of use, affordability, and portability make them a valuable asset for clinical practice. This research was funded by DOST-SEI. The systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023399215).