(1) Background: This study aims to compare the effects of AI-based exercise feedback and standard training on the physical and mental health outcomes of older adults participating in a 4-week tai chi training program. (2) Methods: Participants were divided into three groups: an AI feedback group received real-time movement accuracy feedback based on AI and inertial measurement units (IMUs), a conventional feedback group received verbal feedback from supervisors, and a control group received no feedback. All groups trained three times per week for 8 weeks. Outcome measures, including movement accuracy, balance, grip strength, quality of life, and depression, were assessed before and after the training period. (3) Results: Compared to pre-training, all three groups showed significant improvements in movement accuracy, grip strength, quality of life, and depression. Only the AI feedback group showed significant improvements in balance. In terms of movement accuracy and balance, the AI feedback group showed significantly greater improvement compared to the conventional feedback group and the control group. (4) Conclusions: Providing real-time AI-based movement feedback during tai chi training offers greater health benefits for older adults compared to standard training without feedback.

Background: Stroke is a sudden neurological disorder that causes severe neurological damage mainly due to lack of oxygen to brain cells as a result of interruption of blood flow to the brain. Dysphagia is a common problem in stroke patients, interfering with diet and nutrition and possibly leading to complications. About 50–80% of stroke patients experience dysphagia in the acute phase, which may lead to serious consequences such as aspiration and pneumonia. Therefore, improving swallowing function is essential to enhance patients’ quality of life (QoL). Traditional rehab methods are limited, but non-invasive stimulation is safer and improves swallowing function through various mechanisms: pharyngeal electrical stimulation (PES) boosts cortical excitability and plasticity by stimulating pharyngeal nerves; neuro-muscular electrical stimulation (NmeS) enhances infrahyoid muscle strength and mobility with low-frequency pulses; repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) promotes motor cortex remodeling; transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) increases neural activity in swallowing-related regions. These techniques are safe, easy to use, and show great potential for clinical application, needing further study.Methods: Six databases were systematically searched, and 17 randomized controlled trials with 788 stroke patients were finally included. The outcome indicators were swallowing function and QoL related indicators. Net meta-analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 to assess the relative effectiveness of each combined intervention and to test the consistency of direct and indirect evidence.Results: For swallowing function, rTMS [SMD = 5.10, 95% CI (3.20, 7.01), p < 0.0001, SUCRA = 87.3] showed the best results. For QoL, NmeS [SMD = 3.51, 95% CI (0.54, 6.47), p < 0.0001, SUCRA = 79.3] shows all its unique advantages.Conclusion: rTMS can effectively improve the swallowing function of stroke patients, while NmeS has the best effect in improving the QoL.Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024603146

This study aimed to compare the contributions of sources of proprioception to the reproduction accuracy of relatively slower and more rapid arm movements. We recruited 34 volunteers and gave them dart throwing tasks under two different durations followed by joint position sense (JPS) tests and force sense (FS) tests at the elbow and the wrist. We found moderately positive correlations between slow movement performance and proprioceptive acuity with FS (wrist) and JPS (elbow), accounting for 52% of the absolute errors (p < .001), and, with FS (wrist), accounting for 50% of the variable error (p < .001). Moreover, we observed a smaller correlation between rapid movement performance and proprioceptive acuity, accounting for 17% of absolute errors with JPS (elbow; p = .008) and 11% of variable error (p = .033). These results suggest that relatively slow movement performance is partly determined by performers’ proprioceptive acuity of the movement-related limbs. Relatively rapid movement performance is also affected by correctional proprioceptive feedback, though to a lesser degree.

With the increasing global aging population, the prevalence of hypertension among middle-aged and older adults has significantly risen, with over one-third of individuals aged 40 and above diagnosed with hypertension. Uncontrolled hypertension contributes significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and other health problems, placing a heavy burden on society. Therefore, the prevention and management of hypertension in middle-aged and elderly people has become a public health priority. Traditional Chinese mind-body exercise is gradually gaining attention due to its low damage and high compliance, and is particularly suitable for the middle-aged and elderly. We screened relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published after 2000 by searching five English and three Chinese databases. Study inclusion criteria included hypertensive patients (≥ 45 years old, SBP/DBP > 130/80 mm Hg) receiving at least 8 weeks of Tai Chi, Baduanjin, Liuzijue, Shuxinpingxuegong, Qigong, or Daoyinyangshengshu interventions to assess SBP, DBP, WC, WHR or BMI indicators. Risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed using the Cochrane tool and the GRADE framework. Effect values and heterogeneity (I² statistic) were calculated by random-effects multivariate Network Meta-Analysis combined with Review Manager and STATA software, and SUCRA values were used to rank intervention effects. A total of 49 randomized controlled trials covering 4,224 hypertensive patients were included. Risk of bias assessment showed that 77.55% of the studies were low risk, 14.28% were intermediate risk, and 8.16% were high risk. The NMA results showed that in terms of systolic blood pressure reduction, Tai Chi performed best (SMD = -1.10, 95% CI [-1.23, -0.98], SUCRA = 86.9), followed by Daoyinyangshengshu (SMD = -1.00, 95% CI [-1.34, -0.67], SUCRA = 67.4) and Liuzijue (SMD = -0.97, 95% CI [-1.28, -0.66], SUCRA = 62). Daoyinyangshengshu (SMD = -1.26, 95% CI [-1.65, -0.87], SUCRA = 88) and Liuzijue (SMD = -1.06, 95% CI [-1.42, -0.70], SUCRA = 69.2) ranked highly in terms of reducing diastolic blood pressure. In terms of improving waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), Tai Chi had a significant effect (SMD = -0.50, 95% CI [-0.72, -0.28], SUCRA = 90.4; WHR: SMD = -1.75, 95% CI [-2.65, -0.84], SUCRA = 89.8), though the GRADE assessment indicated low-quality evidence for WHR outcomes due to limited studies and potential heterogeneity. Tai Chi (SMD = -0.35, 95% CI [-0.50, -0.20], SUCRA = 80) and Daoyinyangshengshu (SMD = -0.58, 95% CI [-1.14, -0.01], SUCRA = 60.3) outperformed the other interventions in terms of reducing body mass index. This study supports integrating traditional Chinese mind-body exercises like Tai Chi and Baduanjin into hypertension management for middle-aged and elderly patients. Tai Chi effectively lowers blood pressure and reduces abdominal obesity, while Baduanjin improves BMI. Personalized interventions with culturally adapted protocols could optimize adherence and global adoption.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, particularly in China, where it affects younger populations. Aphasia, a common post-stroke disorder, impairs language skills and occurs in 30–40% of stroke patients. Neuromodulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have shown promise in aphasia rehabilitation. Combining these methods with traditional treatments may improve recovery and shorten rehabilitation time. This study examines the effectiveness of these combined therapies in post-stroke aphasia (PSA) to inform clinical practice.Methods: Six databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, were systematically searched, and 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 376 stroke patients were finally included. The outcome indicators were aphasia and quality of life related indicators. Net meta-analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 to assess the relative effectiveness of each combined intervention and to test the consistency of direct and indirect evidence.Results: In this study, a total of 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 376 patients with stroke were included. For the primary outcome metrics, SLT was most effective in improving Naming (SMD = 1.09, 95% CI [0.16, 2.02], p < 0.05, [SUCRA] = 85.2). comprehensive speech and language therapy (CSLT) was most effective in improving Comprehension in stroke patients (SMD = 1.01, 95% CI [0.22, 1.80], p < 0.05, [SUCRA] = 84.5). CSLT (SMD = 0.83, 95% CI [0.07, 1.58], p < 0.05, [SUCRA] = 74.0) and SLT (SMD = 0.87, 95% CI [0.13, 1.61], p < 0.05, [SUCRA] = 76.4) better in improving Repetition in stroke patients.Conclusion: SLT and CSLT can effectively improve aphasia in stroke patients. It is recommended to prioritize their application in clinical rehabilitation.Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024611829.

Background: Wushu, a traditional Chinese exercise, has been demonstrated to be effective in promoting lower-limb strength in children. However, studies comparing the effects of different intervention durations on preschool children remain limited. Objectives: The present study examined the short- and long-term effects of Wushu exercise programs on lower-limb explosive power in preschool children aged 5–6 years. Methods: This study was conducted across two experiments, with separate cohorts of children. The children were randomly assigned to either an intervention (INT) or a control (CON) group based on their Kindergarten classes. In Experiment 1, the INT-1 group (n = 55) completed a 4-week ‘Twelve Zodiac’ Wushu exercise program, which comprised three 30-minute sessions per week, while the CON-1 group (n = 49) participated in construction and carrying-based unstructured free play, which was designed to provide a comparable amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. In Experiment 2, the INT-2 group (n = 57) undertook a 10-week Wushu program, and the CON-2 group (n = 38) engaged in similar activities as CON-1 for a 10-week period. The standing long jump (SLJ) was the primary outcome measure in both experiments. Secondary outcomes included the double-leg continuous jump, 15 m zigzag run, grip strength, sit-and-reach, and anthropometric measurements. In Experiment 2, countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) heights were also measured using a force plate as additional secondary outcomes. A linear mixed-effects model (LMM) was used to analyze the data. Results: At baseline, no significant outcome measures were observed between CON-1 and INT-1, nor between CON-2 and INT-2. In Experiment 1, SLJ exhibited a significant enhancement in INT-1 in comparison to CON-1 (p = 0.007). The INT-2 in Experiment 2 showed significant improvements compared with CON-2 in the SLJ (p = 0.048), double-leg continuous jump (p = 0.005), and 15 m zigzag run (p = 0.043). A strong correlation was observed between SLJ and 15 m zigzag run time (r = −0.53, p < 0.001), and between double-leg continuous jump time and 15 m zigzag run time (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that 4-week and 10-week Wushu exercise programs enhance explosive power in the lower limbs of children aged 5–6 years. The 10-week Wushu program improves lower limb coordination and jumping agility. These task-specific adaptations support the value of Wushu interventions for fostering comprehensive lower-limb motor competence in preschoolers.