BackgroundExercise has been shown to be effective in cardiovascular endurance in the elderly. We studied the effect of Thai dancing on physical performance of Thai elderly.MethodsThis was an open-labeled, randomized intervention study. The Thai dancing group exercised for 40 minutes three times a week for 6 weeks. Physical performance ability was the primary outcome, including a 6-minute walk test (6MWT), five-times sit-to-stand (FTSST), and a sit-and-reach test measured before and after 6 weeks of intervention.ResultsThere were 42 subjects enrolled in the study, and 38 female subjects completed (20 in Thai dance group, 18 controls), with an average age of 65.8 ± 5.1 years. The Thai dance group had significantly better physical performance in all measurements at the end of the study. The 6MWT was longer (416.7 ± 58.7 versus 345.7 ± 55.1 m; P = 0.011), FTSST was quicker (10.2 ± 1.5 versus 14.4 ± 3.3 seconds; P < 0.001), and flexibility was higher (14.9 ± 3.5 versus 11.1 ± 5.7 cm; P = 0.002) in the Thai dance group than the control group.ConclusionThai dance can improve physical performance in recently aged (elderly) female adults.

Abstract. [Purpose] To determine the therapeutic effects of core stabilization exercise in the treatment of patients with clinical lumbar instability.[Methods] Twenty subjects with clinical lumbar instability were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. The treatment group received 10 weeks of core stabilization exercise (CSE), while the control group (CG) received 10 weeks of hydrocollator therapy and trunk stretching exercises. Pain intensity of the instability catch sign (ICS), functional disability, and trunk muscle activation patterns were measured before and at one day after 10 weeks of intervention.[Results] Both groups showed a significant reduction in pain intensity of ICS and reduced functional disability after 10 weeks of intervention; however, a significant improvement in the ratio activation of the transversus abdominis and internal oblique muscle relative to the rectus abdominis was only seen in CSE. In the comparison between groups, CSE showed significantly greater improvement in reduction of pain intensity during the ICS, significantly reduced functional disability, and significantly increased deep abdominal muscle activation after 10 weeks of intervention compared to CG.[Conclusion] The 10 weeks of CSE provided better therapeutic effects for pain intensity of ICS, reduced functional disability, and facilitated deep abdominal muscle activation of patients with clinical lumbar instability.

Gnathostoma spinigerum and Angiostrongylus cantonensis are human parasites that can cause neurological symptoms. The human diseases produced by these parasites can usually be differentiated by clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to report neuroimaging abnormalities detected with computed tomography (CT) and MR in patients with gnathostomiasis and angiostrongyliasis. We enrolled 15 and 12 patients with serologically proven gnathostomiasis and angiostrongyliasis, respectively, who had brain or spinal imaging done. The neuro-gnathostomiasis group had significantly more patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and myelitis patterns. The angiostrongyliasis group had no specific findings and most patients had normal CT brain images. The variety of neuroimaging findings is shown here. This study emphasizes that neuroimaging studies may be useful to differentiate gnathostomiasis and angiostrongyliasis particularly in patients with indistinct clinical presentations.

Neurognathostomiasis is a rare but severe form of human gnathostomiasis. Diagnosis of neurognathostomiasis is made presumably by using clinical manifestations. Serologic tests for neurognathostomiasis are not widely available and limited. We studied 12 patients with diagnoses of neurognathostomiasis at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. There were three types of neurognathostomiasis (five patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, one patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and six patients with myelitis). All patients were tested for antibodies against Gnathostoma spinigerum by an immunoblotting technique. The sensitivity and specificity of the 21-kD and 24-kD diagnostic bands were 83.3% and 100%, and 91.7% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the 21-kD and 24-kD diagnostic bands were all 100%. Both diagnostic bands are a helpful diagnostic tool for neuro gnathostomiasis and show good diagnostic properties.

Southeast Asia is the major endemic area for paragonimiasis. Diagnosis relies on identification of ova in the sputum, pleural fluid or tissue specimen, or serology. Low awareness, however, frequently results in the disease being overlooked. We report nine cases presenting as primary, massive and protracted pleural effusions. All patients had evidence of Paragonimus spp. in the pleural fluid; one discharged an adult worm through a chest tube during treatment with praziquantel. In three cases, resolution of symptoms and pleural effusions could not be achieved, despite repeated fluid evacuation procedures and courses of praziquantel, which contradicts the widely accepted statement of paragonimiasis being self-limited and easy to cure. The disease should be considered in any case of elusive pleural effusion occurring in endemic areas.