Background: Accidental falls in older adults cause serious health problems, therefore, Tai Chi exercise (TC) is important to help older adults regain body balance and prevent falls. Objective: This study aimed to assess: 1) the effect of a 12-week TC intervention on lower extremity strength and body balance in older adults, 2) recent falls within 12 weeks, and 3) participants’ satisfaction toward TC exercise. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted, and the participants were older adults, aged 60 and above. One hundred participants were selected by a purposive sampling technique and were divided into 2 groups: the experimental group (n=50) performing the TC exercise, and the control group (n=50) not performing TC. The lower-extremity strength was measured by using a dynamometer, and the body balance was measured by using a timed single leg stance procedure. Results: The findings revealed that lower-extremity strength was not significantly different in three time periods: pre-TC, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks within the experimental group and also after 12 weeks between the experimental group and control group. The body balance within the experimental group in the three time periods was significantly different (p<.001). Multiple pair comparisons by using the Bonferroni test indicated that phase 3 (a 12-week) was significantly higher than phase 1, and phase 2 (p<.05). However, the effect of a 12-week TC intervention on the body balance of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<.001). The number of recent falls and near falls within 12 weeks in the control group was 14%, with 10% falls occurring outdoors and 4% occurring indoors, whereas the experimental group did not report any falls and showed satisfaction towards the TC exercise. Conclusion: The findings of the study confirm that TC exercise improves body balance and helps reduce the risk of falls in older adults, while the group of older adults who did not undergo TC exercise suffered an increased risk of falls. These results should be applied and implemented among older adults and other groups of populations in different geographic locations and other clinical settings who are at the risk of falls. Also, the study on TC exercise should be extended to 6-12 months so that concrete results from improving lower-limb strength and body balance can be observed.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused serious health problems that affected people around the globe. This study aims to understand the physical distress (PhyD), psychological distress (PsyD), and coping experiences among people infected with COVID-19, develop a grounded theory, and examine PhyD, PsyD, and coping among people infected with COVID-19. A sequential exploratory mixed methods strategy is employed. A qualitative procedure is based on a grounded theory; data collection includes observation and in-depth interviews with 25 participants, aged 18 years and above. The quantitative one included 180 participants. Content analysis was applied using the Strauss and Corbin method, and ATLAS.ti software. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and the independent t-test were used. Results: The six major themes, including (1) severity of COVID-19 symptoms, (2) death anxiety, (3) uncertainty, (4) barrier to healthcare access, (5) compliance and self-regulation coping (6) post-COVID-19 effects. PhyD, PsyD, and coping were all at a moderate level. The relationship between PhyD, PsyD, and coping was positive. The prevalence in post-COVID-19 effects was 70% (95% CI 63.3-76.4%). There were higher amounts in women than men. The most frequent residual symptoms were decreased activity tolerance (40%), fatigue (33.3%), anxiety and fear of abnormal lungs (33.3%), dyspnea (27.8%), allergy (24.4%), and lung impairment (22.2%). Moreover, the prevalence of more than two symptoms was 54% (95% CI 47.2–61.7%). This study considers that the healthcare providers should be concerned with sufficient healthcare services. Interventions are needed for supporting their recovery from COVID-19 effects.

Introduction: Healthy longevity is important in older adults. The lifestyle and cultural background are likely related to longevity. This study explored lifestyles and Buddhist Thai culture relating to longevity, and evaluated activities of daily living (ADL), body mass index (BMI), and mental health. Method: A mixed method using concurrent embedded strategy was employed. Qualitative data collection included observation and in-depth interviews with 30 older adults aged 80 years and above from Northeastern Thailand. Quantitative data: Barthel ADL, BMI, and Thai Geriatric Mental Health Assessment (T-GMH-A) were assessed. Content analysis was applied using the Strauss and Corbin method. Results: Four major themes were, promoting physical activities, prevention and control of diseases, mental health management, and Buddhist socio-Thai culture. Means of Barthel ADL, BMI, and T-GMH-A were 19.0 ( SD 1.1), 21.34 ( SD 3.07), and 53.53 ( SD 7.22), respectively. Discussion: These factors greatly influenced longevity and well-being. Culturally congruent care should be implemented to health care services.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused serious health problems that affected people physically, and psychologically around the globe. This study aimed to (1) understand physical distress (PhD), psychological distress (PsD), and coping experiences among people infected with COVID-19 (2) develop a grounded theory (3) examine PhD, PsD, and coping among people infected with COVID-19. Methods A sequential exploratory mixed methods strategy was employed. A qualitative procedure was based on a grounded theory, data collection included observation and in-depth interviews with 25 participants, aged 18 years and above. The quantitative one included 180 participants, from Bangkok Metropolitan, and Northeastern region of Thailand from February to May 2022. A snowball sampling technique was used. Quantitative instrument: was built based on grounded data from a qualitative approach. Physical, psychological distress, and coping were assessed. Content analysis was applied using the Strauss and Corbin method, and software ATLAS.ti. Descriptive statistic, Pearson’s correlation, and independent t-test were used. Results Six major themes included 10 sub-themes. The six major themes appeared (1) severity of COVID-19 symptoms (2) death anxiety (3) uncertainty (4) barrier to healthcare access (5) compliance, and self-regulation coping (6) post-COVID-19 effects. PhD, PsD, and coping were at a moderate level. All PhD, PsD, and coping were in positive relations. Comparison of PsD, and coping between the non-severe group and severe group was significantly different (p < 0.001, p < 0.05). Post COVID-19 effects were fatigue, dyspnea, high blood sugar level, impairment of lungs, liver, and kidney. Conclusions The findings of the study supported 6 major themes including 10 sub-themes. All PhD, PsD, and coping were in positive relations. The PsD, and coping of the severe group was higher than non-severe group. Suggestions, healthcare providers should be concerned with sufficient healthcare services, physical and psychological supports. The interventions are needed for their recovery from physical and psychological effects.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused serious health problems that affected people physically, and psychologically around the globe. This study aimed to (1) understand physical distress (PhD), psychological distress (PsD), and coping experiences among people infected with COVID-19 (2) develop a grounded theory (3) examine PhD, PsD, and coping among people infected with COVID-19. Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed methods strategy was employed. A qualitative procedure was based on a grounded theory, data collection included observation and in-depth interviews with 25 participants, aged 18 years and above. The quantitative one included 180 participants, from Bangkok Metropolitan, and Northeastern region of Thailand from February to May 2022. A snowball sampling technique was used. Quantitative instrument: was built based on grounded data from a qualitative approach. Physical, psychological distress, and coping were assessed. Content analysis was applied using the Strauss and Corbin method, and software ATLAS.ti. Descriptive statistic, Pearson’s correlation, and independent t-test were used. Results: Six major themes included 10 sub-themes. The six major themes appeared (1) severity of COVID-19 symptoms (2) death anxiety (3) uncertainty (4) barrier to healthcare access (5) compliance, and self-regulation coping (6) post-COVID-19 effects. PhD, PsD, and coping were at a moderate level. All PhD, PsD, and coping were in positive relations. Comparison of PsD, and coping between the non-severe group and severe group was significantly different (p<0.001, p<0.05). Post COVID-19 effects were fatigue, dyspnea, high blood sugar level, impairment of lungs, liver, and kidney. Conclusions: The findings of the study supported 6 major themes including 10 sub-themes. All PhD, PsD, and coping were in positive relations. The PsD, and coping of the severe group was higher than non-severe group. Suggestions, healthcare providers should be concerned with sufficient healthcare services, physical and psychological supports. The interventions are needed for their recovery from physical and psychological effects.