Thai Journal of Physical Therapy

Effect of Dance Fit program on physical activity, physical fitness and cognitive function in the elderly

2025-01-01T16:38:44+07:00

Background: The elderly commonly experience reduced strength, decreased physical activity, impaired balance, and cognitive decline. Engaging in enjoyable group exercises, such as dancing with music, can alleviate these issues by enhancing motivation and promoting physical activity.

Objective: To examine the effects of the Dance Fit program on physical activity, physical fitness, and cognitive function in the elderly.

Methods: Sixty-three participants were divided into two groups: a Dance Fit group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 31). The Dance Fit group participated in 75-minute sessions (15-minute warm-up, 45-minute moderate-intensity aerobic dance and 15-minute cool-down), three times per week for six weeks. The control group continued with their usual daily activities. Assessments of leg and arm strength, flexibility, balance, dynamic balance and agility, cardiovascular endurance, cognitive function, and physical activity levels were conducted at baseline, week 3, and week 6. A Mixed Model ANOVA was used to analyze the interaction effects between group and time of assessment.

Results: Significant interactions between group and time (p < 0.05) were found for leg and arm strength, body flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, and physical activity levels. The Dance Fit group showed significant improvements in these variables between baseline and week 6. Additionally, significant main effects of group (p < 0.05) were observed for dynamic balance and agility, as well as cognitive function, between baseline and week 6.

Conclusion: The Dance Fit program enhances leg and arm strength, increases body flexibility, improves cardiovascular endurance, and increases physical activity levels in the elderly.

A comparison of a home exercise program with core and task specific exercises versus a conventional program on gait and balance in individuals with chronic stroke

2025-06-28T13:03:10+07:00

Background: Stroke patients should continue rehabilitation to improve walking stability and quality of life. After being discharged, a home exercise program is essential. Core muscle and task-specific exercises can enhance balance and walking ability in chronic stroke patients, despite no report of its effect in comparison to conventional home program.

Objective: To compare the effects of a home exercise program between core muscle and task-specific exercises and a home program designed by physical therapists on walking, balance, activity-specific balance confidence, and lower extremity motor control.

Methods: Thirty-two chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=16), receiving core muscle and task-specific exercises, and the control group (n=16), receiving exercise program designed by a physical therapist. Each group performed exercises 40 minutes, 3 days per week, for 3 months. Assessments were conducted using the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT), Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity (FMA-LE) before, after the intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up.

Results: No significant differences in any variables between the experimental and control groups. However, within-group comparisons showed significant improvements in all variables in the experimental group (p < 0.05). The control group showed improvements only in BBS, ABC, and FMA-LE (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: A home exercise program using core muscle and task-specific exercises could improve walking ability, balance, activity-specific balance confidence, and lower extremity motor control in chronic stroke patients similar to conventional program.

A Prototype Development of Web Application for Personalized Assessment and Design Exercises in Patients with Office Syndrome: A pilot study

2025-05-28T20:21:47+07:00

Background: The office syndrome symptoms are common among office workers and are primarily caused by prolonged stationary positions and insufficient regular ergonomic movement. In the twenty-first century, with the advent of modern communication technologies, which are increasingly accessible, this study integrates cutting-edge technology to develop a web application aimed at enhancing the efficiency of physical therapy treatments.

Objective: To develop a prototype web application for personalized assessment and treatment planning for office syndrome and to evaluate its usability and clinical effectiveness.

Methods: This developmental study consisted of two main phases: 1) Prototype Development and Usability Testing: Usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS) with 30 volunteers. 2) Clinical Effectiveness Testing: Conducted with 20 volunteers, each required to adjust their ergonomic environment and perform exercises recommended by the web application for 30 minutes per day, two days per week, for a fortnight after that pain levels were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after the intervention.

Results: The SUS usability assessment consistently states a "good" rating for the application. Additionally, clinical effectiveness testing demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in pain scores (p < 0.001) after using the web application for physical therapy.

Conclusion: The study indicates that the personalized web application for office syndrome management efficiently and effectively supports self-care and significantly reduces muscle pain among users. The application is user-friendly and expeditious to learn, and users have reviewed and reported high confidence in its use.

Survey of concerns about pain in office workers with musculoskeletal problems at Srinakharinwirot University Ongkharak

2025-07-09T14:34:35+07:00

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common health issue among office workers, especially those who spend long hours working with computers. Pain commonly affects the neck, shoulders, and back. Psychosocial factors, particularly negative thoughts about pain, play an important role in the prognosis for chronic pain.

Objective: To investigate the level of concerns about pain (CAP) among office workers with musculoskeletal symptoms and to compare the CAP scores between chronic and non chronic pain groups.

Methods: Sixty participants were assessed using three parts of questionnaires: general demographic data, the Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (MNMQ), and the Thai version of University of Washington Concerns About Pain Questionnaire (T-UW-CAP6).

Results: Results indicated that most individuals with chronic pain reported moderate to high risk levels of concerns about pain (CAP). In the case of MSDs, the CAP score in the chronic group was significantly higher than in the non-chronic group (p = 0.04).

Conclusion: These findings highlight the critical role of psychosocial factors in shaping pain perception and chronicity among office workers. Integrating psychosocial assessment with conventional physical management strategies may be essential for the prevention and effective management of chronic musculoskeletal pain in this population.