Cross-Country Pilot Test of a Chair-Based Acupunch Exercise Program Among Older Adults in Long-Term Care

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Integrative Medicine
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Cross-cultural variations in traditional Chinese medicine practices are notable.
• Examining intervention effectiveness requires cross-country comparisons between Eastern and Western populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and efficacy of the Vitality Acupunch program.
• To assess improvements in functional fitness and activities of daily living (ADL).
• To compare outcomes among long-term care residents in Taiwan and the United States.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental pilot study involving 80 participants from Taiwan and the US.
• Treatment groups engaged in a 40-minute chair-based acupunch exercise program thrice weekly for six months.
• Physical fitness indicators and ADL were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

Main Results:

• The Taiwanese group showed significant improvements in most outcomes (P < .05), excluding lower body strength.
• The US group only improved significantly in handgrip strength (P < .001).
• Taiwanese participants demonstrated superior gains in lower body flexibility, shoulder mobility, and ADL performance compared to the US group (P < .05).

Conclusions:

• The chair-based acupunch exercise program proved effective for long-term care residents in both countries.
• Cross-country differences indicate potential cultural influences on treatment response.
• Taiwanese participants experienced greater overall benefits from the exercise intervention.