Objective To objectively evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi in fall prevention and balance function in the elderly. Methods Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library (Issue 8, 2012), EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2000 to 2012, and the relevant references of the included articles were also manually searched. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature was screened, the data were extracted and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed. Then meta-analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 6 RCTs involving 2 796 participants were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that the Tai Chi group was superior to the control group in decrease of the incidence rate of fall (RR=0.82, 95%CI 0.73 to 0.92, P=0.000 6), Timed Up and Go Test (MD=0.71, 95%CI 0.29 to 1.12, P=0.000 9), Functional Reach Test (MD=0.78, 95%CI 0.33 to 1.23, P=0.000 7) and Berger Balance Scale (MD=2.45, 95%CI 1.47 to 3.43, Plt;0.000 01), and there were statistical differences. Conclusion Tai Chi can effectively reduce the risk of fall for the elderly and improve their balance function.
Objective To systematically evaluate the orthotic effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on the improvement of walking in stroke patients with foot drop. Methods The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the orthotic effect of FES on walking in stroke patients with foot drop were electronically searched in the databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2013), EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data from January 2000 to January 2013, and the relevant references of included papers were also manually searched. Two reviewers independently screened the trials according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the methodology quality. The meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 8 RCTs involving 255 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses on 4 RCTs showed that, compared with the conventional rehabilitation intervention, the functional electrical stimulation could significantly improve the walking speed, with significant difference (MD=0.09, 95%CI 0.00 to 0.18, P=0.04). The other indicators were only descriptively analyzed due to the incomplete data. Conclusions Functional electrical stimulation is effective in improving walking speed, but it is uncertain of other therapeutic indicators. So it should be further proved by conducting more high quality, large sample and multi-center RCTs.
ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in obstructive jaundice of elderly patients. MethodsTotally 338 patients with obstructive jaundice underwent ERCP were divided into elderly group (age ≥60 years old) and nonelderly group (age lt;60 years old) based on age. The levels of serum amylase (AMY), ALT, and TBIL in 6, 24, and 48 h after ERCP were detected. The success rate of cholangiopancreatography, accuracy rate of diagnosis, and incidence of complications after ERCP in two groups were analyzed. ResultsThe difference of serum AMY, ALT, and TBIL levels of patients in 6, 24, and 48 h after ERCP were not significant between two groups (Pgt;0.05). The success rate of cholangiopancreatography in nonelderly group was 96.3% (130/135) and in elderly group was 96.1% (195/203), and no difference was found (Pgt;0.05). However, the accuracy rate of diagnosis of ERCP in nonelderly group (84.6%, 110/130) was significantly lower than that in elderly group (98.5%, 192/195), Plt;0.05. The difference of the incidence of complications was not significant between two groups 〔14.8% (20/135) vs. 17.2% (35/203)〕, Pgt;0.05. There was no mortality in two groups patients. ConclusionERCP is a safe, effective, and accurate method, which is of importance to the diagnosis of obstructive jaundice in elderly patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of sentinel lymph node biopsy following total mastectomy on immunologic function and prognosis for patients with early breast cancer. MethodsTwo hundred and eleven patients with early breast cancer were entered in this study. In all these cases, the results of sentinel lymph node biopsy were negative. These patients were randomly divided into control group and research group. In 86 cases of control group, the sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection following total mastectomy was performed. In 125 cases of research group, the sentinel lymph node biopsy following total mastectomy was performed. The injury of shoulder joint function was analyzed in one year after surgery. The changes of T cell subsets and IL-2 level were detected in the patients respectively on the first day before operation, the second week after operation, and the fourth week after operation. Postoperative fatality rate and postoperative recurrence rate were also observed in two groups. Results①The points of shoulder joint function in the control group and the research group were 72.7±6.5 and 93.5±8.2 respectively, there was an obvious difference (P < 0.05).②The injury degree of shoulder joint function in the research group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01).③Compared with the control group, the changes of T cell subsets and the IL-2 level had no significant differences in the research group on day 1 before operation and on week 2 after operation (P > 0.05). On the fourth week after surgery, the CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, and IL-2 level in the research group were obviously higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). However, the percentage of CD8+ T cell in the research group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05).④There were no significant differences for postoperative fatality rate and postoperative recurrence rate between two groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionsSentinel lymph node biopsy for patients with early breast cancer is safe and reliable. With respect to conventional axillary lymph node dissection, it could improve immune function and quality of life after surgery in patients with early breast cancer.