We describe a development and feasibility study of a Sitting Simple Baduanjin program for advanced cancer patients suffering from the fatigue–sleep disturbance symptom cluster. This study was to evaluate the practicality and safety of the Sitting Simple Baduanjin intervention and determine its preliminary efficacy.

This work employed a single-arm mixed-methods approach. The primary outcome measures were feasibility (i.e., recruitment, adherence, and satisfaction) and safety. Validated self-report questionnaires were used to evaluate the preliminary effects of the program, including fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks of the intervention. Qualitative interviews were also conducted after the program.

A total of 30 participants were enrolled, of which 23 (77%) completed the 12-week Sitting Simple Baduanjin program. The mean adherence rate was 88% and no adverse events were reported. Statistically significant improvements were observed in terms of fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life after program completion. Four themes emerged from the qualitative interview data: (a) acceptability of the Sitting Simple Baduanjin technique, (b) perceived benefits of exercise, (c) barriers, and (d) facilitators.

The findings support the feasibility of the Sitting Simple Baduanjin program for advanced cancer patients and show promise in improving patients’ levels of the fatigue–sleep disturbance symptom cluster and quality of life.

Advanced cancer patients often experience existential distress (ED). However, the factors associated with ED remain unclear. This study investigated the current state of ED and identified the associated factors in Chinese patients with advanced cancer.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 352 advanced cancer patients from 3 tertiary hospitals in Fujian, China. Participants were invited to complete the Existential Distress Scale, Number Rating Scale, Self-Perceived Burden Scale, Quality of Life Concerns in the End-of-Life Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

This study aimed to investigate the level of existential distress among advanced cancer patients in China and identify the associated factors.

A total of 352 advanced cancer patients were recruited for this study. The average score for ED was 8.48 ± 7.12 among the advanced cancer patients. Multiple regression showed that the associated factors included depression (β = 0.32, p = 0.000), self-perceived burden (SPB) (β = 0.18, p = 0.001), the presence of a spouse (β = −0.10, p = 0.050), and reception of government subsidies (β = 0.17, p = 0.001). The factors accounted for 30.1% of the total variance in ED (F = 8.472, p < 0.001).

Among the advanced cancer patients queried, ED was found to be positively influenced by depression, SPB, and reception of government subsidies and negatively influenced by the presence of a spouse. Depression was the most important risk factor, and thus future ED interventions should target depression.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of hypertension management and analyse the factors associated with blood pressure reduction within China’s primary healthcare system.

Hypertension is one of the leading risk factors for global disease burden and is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases. In China, hypertension is a serious public health problem, but few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of hypertension management in China’s primary healthcare system.

The study sites were 24 primary healthcare institutions, selected using multistage stratified random sampling method. In each institution, hypertension patients aged at least 35 years who agreed to participate and had no disabilities or mental health problems were enrolled for hypertension management. Participants received comprehensive interventions in the primary healthcare system via a team. After a one-year intervention, data from 6575 hypertension patients were analysed to check the effectiveness of hypertension management and examined factors associated with hypertension control.

There was an overall mean reduction of 4.5 mmHg in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 1.9 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The blood pressure reduction after one year was greater in rural patients than in urban patients, 6.6 mmHg versus 3.4 mmHg for SBP and 2.6 mmHg versus 1.6 mmHg for DBP, respectively. The hypertension control rate also increased more in rural areas (22.1%) than in urban areas (10.6%) after the one-year intervention. Age, body mass index, region and being in an urban area had a significant negative association with the reduction of SBP (P < 0.05). Education level and baseline SBP showed a significant positive association (P < 0.05).

Community-based hypertension management by general practitioners was feasible and effective. The effectiveness of hypertension management in rural areas was greater than in urban areas. Intervention strategies should pay more attention to patients in rural areas and western China.

To explore the acceptance and effects of life review on older adults.

A mixed-method study design was utilized in this study.

Four nursing homes located in Fuzhou, China.

Sixty-two older adults from four nursing homes were selected according to the criteria set for this study.

Sixty-two older adults were randomly assigned to either the life review group or the control group, and 55 of them completed the study. Twenty-four participants took part in qualitative interviews after the life review program concluded. The Geriatric Depression Scale–15, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Purpose in Life Test were adopted to measure depression, self-esteem, and meaning in life, respectively.

The findings indicated that life review can reduce depressive symptoms and may be effective at improving self-esteem and meaning in life among Chinese elderly people. More importantly, it revealed that cultural factors such as values, beliefs, and attitudes could interfere with participation in a life review.

A culturally sensitive life review program could be an alternative approach to psychotherapy for promoting mental health in older adults.