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Mild exercise decreased pain in older adults
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Researchers from Hospital for Special Surgery found mild exercise programs in senior centers helped to decrease pain, improve mobility and enhance quality of life among older Chinese adults, according to a press release and abstract presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.
“Joints will often stiffen if not used, and muscles will weaken if not exercised,” Theodore Fields, MD, director of the Rheumatology Faculty Practice Plan at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, said in the release. “Our bodies are meant to move, and inactivity leads to weakness and stiffness, and joints with arthritis often worsen with inactivity.”
The free exercise classes — which took place in New York City’s Chinatown and in Flushing, Queens — occurred once per week for 8 weeks between 2011 and 2016. In class, participants performed stretch band exercises, meditation and breathing techniques. In addition, the researchers administered surveys before and after class to evaluate pain, fatigue, balance, stiffness and physical function. The questionnaires were completed by 256 adults, 93% were female and 73% were aged between 60 years and 79 years.
Participants reported significant improvements in bending, kneeling, stooping, bathing, getting dressed, climbing stairs and carrying groceries. In addition, 84% of respondents reported less pain; 95% reported less stiffness; 92% reported less fatigue; 95% reported an improvement in balance; and 100% reported they were very satisfied with the program and would recommend it to others.
“The study results are consistent with the experience of rheumatologists and with prior studies showing that exercise, even of mild degree, helps with pain,” Fields said. “Getting people up and moving does appear to help with mood, pain and overall functioning.”
References:
Wu M, et al. Abstract #4071. Presented at: the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting; Nov. 1, 2016; Denver.
Disclosure: The researchers report they are employees of Hospital for Special Surgery.