Effects of Acupunch Exercises on the Frail Older Adults in Long-Term Care Facilities

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Frailty is a complex elderly problem and a precursor of functional degradation in elder adults. The aim of this study will to test the effects of acupunch exercises on the frail older adults in long-term care facilities.

Detailed Description
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Frailty is a complex elderly problem and a precursor of functional degradation in elder adults. The cause of frailty is multifactorial. Regular exercise intervension could improve frailty condition and general functional fitness. The acupunch exercise program was developed based on Jing-Luo theory of tranditional Chinese Medicine. The aim of this study will to test the effects of acupunch exercises on the frail older adults in long-term care facilities.

Official Title
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Effects of Acupunch Exercises on the Frail Older Adults in Long-Term Care Facilities

Conditions
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Frailty, Exercise

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Acupunch Exercises


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: frail older adults aged 65 and above had lived in the long-term care facilities more than 3 months Exclusion Criteria: dementia patient psychiatric patient spinal cord injury patient
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: exercise group<br>exercise group will receive acupunch exercise | Other: Acupunch Exercises<br>* The acupunch exercise program was developed based on Jing-Luo theory of tranditional Chinese Medicine. The experiment group will receive Acupunch exercise for 40 minute sessions, 3 times a week, for 24 weeks<br>|
| No Intervention: control group<br>control group will maintain the regular activities of their original daily lives | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| handgrip strength | handgrip strength measured by the Digital Handgrip Dynamometer (in kilograms) | 24 weeks | 
| upper limb muscle endurance | upper limb muscle endurance measured by the Arm Curl Test in times per 30 seconds | 24 weeks | 
| lower limb muscle endurance | lower limb muscle endurance measured by the Chair-to-Stand Test in times per 30 seconds | 24 weeks | 
| lung function | lung function measured by Peak Flow Meter (in liters) | 24 weeks | 
| upper body flexibility | upper body flexibility measured by the Back Scratch Test( in centimeters) | 24 weeks | 
| forward flexion | forward flexion measured by the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test( in centimeters) | 24 weeks | 
| shoulder joint flexion | shoulder joint flexion measured by protractor( in degree) | 24 weeks | 
| shoulder joint abduction | shoulder joint abduction measured by protractor( in degree) | 24 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| frailty status | evaluated based on the guidelines of the SOF Research Group | 24 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Frailty, Acupunch exercises, long-term care facilities