Chonticha Kaewjoho

Background: Trigger finger causes pain and impaired hand function. Ultrasound and paraffin wax are commonly used but have cost and accessibility limitations; cassava wax may be a low-cost alternative, though its effectiveness remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the immediate, short-term, and post-intervention effects of cassava wax immersion combined with ultrasound therapy on pain, pressure pain threshold, and upper extremity function in patients with trigger finger. Methods: In this single-blind, randomised controlled trial, 38 participants were randomly assigned to two groups ([ ] each). The experimental group received ultrasound therapy and cassava wax immersion. The control group received only ultrasound therapy. Both groups were treated three times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures included pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), pressure pain threshold, frequency of finger locking, and upper extremity function (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire). Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in all outcomes ([ ]). Significant between-group differences in pain intensity were observed at all post-treatment time points, with lower pain intensity in the experimental group. The experimental group demonstrated greater increases in pressure pain threshold at immediate and short-term follow-ups and better upper extremity function at short-term and post-intervention follow-ups ([ ]). Conclusion: Ultrasound therapy combined with cassava wax immersion is more effective than ultrasound therapy alone for managing trigger finger, providing greater pain reduction and improved upper extremity function. Cassava wax may be a valuable, natural, and cost-effective option.

Inadequate health literacy (HL) is a critical factor contributing to fall risk among older adults. However, evidence on how HL relates to home environment and fall prevention behaviors in Asian community settings remains limited. This study aimed to assess HL levels and examine their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, home environment, and fall prevention behaviors. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 177 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 to 79 years. Data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing sociodemographic characteristics, home environment, fall prevention behaviors, and HL using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47), which cover three subdomains: healthcare, disease prevention, and health promotion. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the associations between sociodemographic factors, home environment, fall prevention behaviors, and HL. The HL score among older adults was 34.50 ± 7.50 (54.2% limited HL). A total HL score was positively associated with regular exercise (β = 2.73, 95% CI: 0.71, 4.74) and a sitting toilet (β = 6.38; 95% CI: 3.83, 8.92) and marginally associated with wearing properly fitting shoes (β = 2.54; 95% CI: 0.22, 4.86). Therefore, the health promotion aimed at improving HL in this population may benefit from concurrently promoting regular exercise, home safety modifications, and safe footwear practices.

Background and Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with reduced physical function in older adults, but the relative contributions of metabolic components, physiological responses, and functional performance to walking capacity remain unclear. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 116 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years (mean age 68.5 ± 5.5 years; 65.5% female). Walking capacity was evaluated using the six-minute walk test (6MWT) with associated physiological responses. Functional performance was assessed using the five-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST), timed-up-and-go (TUG), and handgrip strength. Associations with six-minute walk distance (6MWD) were examined using hierarchical regression analyses, and discriminatory performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: Participants with MetS demonstrated shorter 6MWD, slower FTSST and TUG performance, and higher dyspnea ratings compared to those without MetS (p < 0.05). Triglycerides were inversely associated with 6MWD in intermediate models (β = −0.33, p < 0.001), but after full adjustment, only ΔSBP (β = 0.76, p = 0.008) and FTSST (β = −24.45, p < 0.001) remained significant. The FTSST and TUG demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability, with AUC values of 0.956 (cut-off ≥ 15.5 s) and 0.925 (cut-off ≥ 13.7 s), respectively, whereas triglycerides showed moderate accuracy (AUC = 0.709) with a cut-off of ≥143 mg/dL. Conclusions: Walking capacity was more strongly associated with physiological and functional measures than with metabolic biomarkers. The FTSST and TUG showed strong discriminatory performance for low walking capacity, whereas metabolic markers provided complementary contextual information.

Background: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of functional limitations, compare physical ability and mental health between diabetic participants with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) who had and did not have functional limitations, and determine the correlations, cut-off points, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of various physical performance tests for identifying individuals with these limitations. Methods: The participants’ baseline characteristics and neuropathy severity were assessed. Functional limitations and mental health were evaluated using the 9-Question Depression Screening tool (9Q) questionnaire, while physical abilities were measured by handgrip strength (HG), the Five Times Sit To Stand Test (FTSTS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), the 10-m walk test (10MWT), and the 2-min step test (2MST). Results: Among the participants with DPN, 58% had at least one functional limitation, most commonly walking up 10 steps (86.8%), performing leisure activities (63.2%), and stooping or rising from a chair (27.9%). Those with limitations had significantly lower mental health, muscle strength, balance, and endurance (P < 0.05). Functional limitations correlated moderately with HG, FTSTS, TUG, 2MST, and 10MWT (P < 0.001) and mildly with 9Q score. 10MWT showed the strongest predictive ability (AUC = 0.927), while other tests demonstrated moderate to high accuracy (AUC = 0.692–0.899). Conclusion: Over half of the individuals with DPN experienced at least one functional limitation, most commonly affecting mobility and daily activities. Those with limitations exhibited poorer dynamic balance, muscle strength, and endurance. Among the physical performance tests, 10MWT demonstrated the strongest predictive ability (cut-off = 0.75 m/s, AUC = 0.927), underscoring its reliability and efficiency in identifying functional limitations in this population.

Objective: To investigate the effects of modified stepping exercises over six weeks on functional mobility and individual lower extremity muscle strength in community-dwelling older individuals.Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial design was conducted in thirty-two older adults who completed a modified stepping exercises program (n=16 for soft-surface stepping exercise; n=16 for firm-surface stepping exercise). These exercises were practiced for 50 minutes/day, three days/week, over six weeks. They were assessed for their functional mobility relating to levels of independence at baseline, after 4 weeks, after 6 weeks of intervention, and at 1 month after the last intervention sessions. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in functional mobility, lower extremity muscle strength, and walking speed after 4 and 6 weeks of intervention, as well as at the one-month follow-up. However, the soft-surface stepping exercise group exhibited significantly greater improvements in dynamic balance (p=0.035) and lower extremity muscle strength (p=0.015) compared to the firm-surface stepping exercise group after 6 weeks of intervention. Additionally, the soft-surface group demonstrated superior gains in hip flexor (p=0.041), hip extensor (p=0.047), hip adductor (p=0.026), and hip abductor strength (p=0.046), with these enhancements maintained at the one-month follow-up. Conclusion: Soft-surface stepping exercise that involves whole-body movements offers a promising alternative to promote independence and safety among community-dwelling older adults. This study underscores the need for future research to evaluate the sustained impact of these benefits post-intervention, particularly during a retention period following the intervention.