A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background. The authors' objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a 6-month Tai Chi intervention for decreasing the number of falls
and the risk for falling in older persons.
Methods. This
randomized controlled trial involved a sample of 256 physically
inactive, community-dwelling adults aged 70 to 92 (mean
age, 77.48 years; standard deviation, 4.95 years)
who were recruited through a patient database in Portland, Oregon.
Participants
were randomized to participate in a
three-times-per-week Tai Chi group or to a stretching control group for 6
months. The
primary outcome measure was the number of falls;
the secondary outcome measures included functional balance (Berg Balance
Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, Functional Reach, and
single-leg standing), physical performance (50-foot speed walk,
Up&Go), and
fear of falling, assessed at baseline, 3 months, 6
months (intervention termination), and at a 6-month postintervention
follow-up.
Results. At the end of the 6-month intervention, significantly fewer falls (n = 38 vs 73; p =.007), lower proportions of fallers (28% vs 46%; p =.01), and fewer injurious falls (7% vs 18%; p
=.03) were observed in the Tai Chi group compared with the stretching
control group. After adjusting for baseline covariates,
the risk for multiple falls in the Tai Chi group
was 55% lower than that of the stretching control group (risk ratio,.45;
95% confidence interval, 0.30 to 0.70). Compared
with the stretching control participants, the Tai Chi participants
showed
significant improvements (p <.001) in all measures of functional balance, physical performance, and reduced fear of falling. Intervention gains in these
measures were maintained at a 6-month postintervention follow-up in the Tai Chi group.
Conclusions. A
three-times-per-week, 6-month Tai Chi program is effective in decreasing
the number of falls, the risk for falling, and
the fear of falling, and it improves functional
balance and physical performance in physically inactive persons aged 70
years
or older.
Quelle: http://biomedgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/60/2/187.short
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