By Pat Anson, Editor

Even a modest amount of exercise is effective at easing pain from arthritis, and other muscle and joint conditions in older adults, according to the latest study by the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City.

Since 2011, HHS has offered free, low-impact exercise programs at senior centers in Chinatown, Flushing, and Queens – and tracked the health of those who participated. Researchers presented their latest findings at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association in Denver.

"Joints will often stiffen if not used, and muscles will weaken if not exercised. Our bodies are meant to move, and inactivity leads to weakness and stiffness, and joints with arthritis often worsen with inactivity," said Theodore Fields, MD, director of the Rheumatology Faculty Practice Plan at HSS.

The exercise program takes place once a week for eight weeks. Participants perform chair and floor mat exercises using stretch bands and other gentle exercises led by certified bilingual instructors.

The program was originally developed for Asian seniors 65 and older, many of whom live in poverty and suffer from arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.

A survey was distributed to participants before classes began and after they ended to evaluate pain, physical function, stiffness, fatigue, balance and other health indicators. A total of 256 adults completed the questionnaires, the vast majority of them elderly women.

"Overall, the program was very well-received," said Minlun (Demi) Wu, an HHS research coordinator. "After completing the classes, statistically significant differences were found in pain intensity, physical function, balance, and confidence about exercising without making symptoms worse."

Eight out of ten participants said they had less pain after participating in the program. Over 90 percent said they had less stiffness, fatigue and their balance improved. There was also significant improvement in their ability to perform daily activities, such as lifting or carrying groceries; climbing stairs; bending, kneeling and stooping; and bathing and getting dressed.

"The study results are consistent with the experience of rheumatologists and with prior studies showing that exercise, even of mild degree, helps with pain," said Dr. Fields. "Getting people up and moving does appear to help with mood, pain and overall functioning."

"Our findings indicate that implementing a bilingual low-impact exercise program can play an important role in pain relief, improved quality of life and improved levels of physical activity in the underserved Chinese community," said Wu, adding that the classes have become so popular there is a waiting list.

According to the CDC, Asian seniors have some of the highest rates of physical inactivity. Chinese Americans are also less likely to seek health care because of cost and language and cultural barriers.