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This study aims to test the effects of Celliant armbands on grip strength in subjects with chronic wrist and elbow pain. Celliant® is a functional textile fabric containing minerals that emit infrared radiation (IR) in response to body heat. IR-emitting fabrics have biological effects including the reduction of pain and inflammation and the stimulation of muscle function.

A randomized placebo-controlled trial recruited 80 subjects (40 per group) with a six-month history of chronic wrist or elbow pain (carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis or arthritis) to wear an armband (real Celliant or placebo fabric) on the affected wrist or elbow for two weeks. Grip strength was measured by a dynamometer before and after the two-week study.

For the placebo group, the mean grip strength increased from 47.95 ± 25.14 (baseline) to 51.69 ± 27.35 (final), whereas for the Celliant group, it increased from 46.3 ± 22.02 to 54.1 ± 25.97. The mean per cent increase over the two weeks was +7.8% for placebo and +16.8% for Celliant (p = 0.0372). No adverse effects was observed.

Limitations include the wide variation in grip strength in the participants at baseline measurement, which meant that only the percentage increase between baseline and final measurements showed a significant difference. Moreover, no subjective measurements of pain or objective neurophysiology testes was done.

Celliant armbands are easy to wear and have not been shown to produce any adverse effects. Therefore, there appears to be no barrier to prevent widespread uptake.

IR-emitting textiles have been studied for their beneficial effects, both in patients diagnosed with various disorders and also in healthy volunteers for health and wellness purposes. Although there are many types of textile technology that might be used to produce IR-emitting fabrics, including coating of the fabric with a printed layer of ceramic material, incorporating discs of mineral into the garment, the authors feel that incorporating ceramic particles into the polymer fibers from which the fabric is woven is likely to be the most efficient way of achieving the goal.

Celliant armbands appear to be effective in painful upper limb inflammatory disorders, and further studies are warranted. The mechanism of action is not completely understood, but the hypothesis that the emitted IR radiation is absorbed by nanostructured intracellular water provides some theoretical justification.

This paper explores the relationship between health promotion and active aging among seniors in Malaysia. The specific objectives were to (1) identify the contributing factors for seniors undergoing full medical check-up and (2) to explore the association between selected active aging factors and health promotion behavior and beliefs.

The study used data from 662 seniors from three different states in Peninsular Malaysia. Logistic regression was used to identify significant determinants of full medical check-up, and chi-square statistics were used to explore the association of active aging and selected health promotion behavior and beliefs. Healthy aging was characterized by being employed or traveling outdoors for leisure.

Household income was found to be a significant barrier to seniors undergoing a full medical check-up. Overall, active seniors were more likely to have positive self-rated health, positive health responsibility and health promotion beliefs but were less likely to undergo a full medical check-up.

Given that cost of a medical check-up could be a barrier for seniors, authorities could consider subsidizing medical check-ups to promote early detection of disease. There is also a need for continuous effort to educate seniors on health risk factors and the importance of taking fuller responsibility for their own health.

This study examined the relationship between active aging and health promotion together, as both components are essential in enhancing the mental and physical well-being of seniors.