Introduction. Falls in the elderly are a significant public health concern. Tai Chi has been shown to reduce falls in this population and increase muscle strength, balance, mood, confidence and sleep.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1087/thumbnail.jp

Dauten, A.

DeLuca, D.

Hall, K.

Klingman, K.

Min, K.

Schloff, E.

Shah, V.

Sheahan, C.

Trabulsy, P.

Vossoughi, S.

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University of VermontScholarWorks @ UVMPublic Health Projects, 2008-present Public Health Projects, University of VermontCollege of Medicine1-23-2013Pilot Study of the Effects of Tai Chi on Elderly FallRisksA. DautenK. KlingmanK. MinE. SchloffV. ShahSee next page for additional authorsFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_galleryPart of the Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, and the Health ServicesResearch CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Public Health Projects, University of Vermont College of Medicine at ScholarWorks @UVM. It has been accepted for inclusion in Public Health Projects, 2008-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ UVM. For moreinformation, please contact donna.omalley@uvm.edu.Recommended CitationDauten, A.; Klingman, K.; Min, K.; Schloff, E.; Shah, V.; Sheahan, C.; Vossoughi, S.; Trabulsy, P.; Hall, K.; and DeLuca, D., "Pilot Studyof the Effects of Tai Chi on Elderly Fall Risks" (2013). Public Health Projects, 2008-present. Book 88.http://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/88AuthorsA. Dauten, K. Klingman, K. Min, E. Schloff, V. Shah, C. Sheahan, S. Vossoughi, P. Trabulsy, K. Hall, and D.DeLucaThis article is available at ScholarWorks @ UVM: http://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/88Pilot Study of the Effects of Tai Chi on  Elderly Fall Risks  Dauten A1, Klingman K1, Min K1, Schloff E1, Shah V1, Sheahan C1, Vossoughi S1, Trabulsy P, M.D.1, Hall K2, DeLuca D2 1University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 2Living Well, Bristol, VT   012345walk around thehousewalk stairs bend over andpick upreach for anobject at eyelevelstand on toes stand on a chairAverage Confidence  Confidence in Daily Activities           N=9 Participant Non-Participant012345walk outsideof the houseget into or outof a carwalk across aparking lotwalk up ordown a rampwalk in acrowded placewhen peoplebump intowalk on an icysidewalkAverage Confidence Confidence in Daily Activities          N=9 Participant Non-ParticipantIntroduction: • Among people over the age of 65, 1 in 3 people fall every year.  • In Vermont, falls are the leading cause of injury death among seniors.   • The practice of Tai Chi, an ancient mind-body art form that’s evolved into a modern day fitness regimen, has been shown to reduce falls in this population.   • Studies have demonstrated additional benefits of Tai Chi including increased muscle strength, balance, mood, confidence and sleep.  Objectives: • To measure fall confidence in participants and non-participants of Tai Chi.  • To Identify barriers to participation in Tai Chi at an integrative healthcare assisted-living facility.  Methods: • 30 minute interviews with 9 of 14 residents (age > 60) of Living Well Residential Care Home (men = 3, women = 6).   • Interviews with Tai Chi participants included 7 demographic questions and 13 questions about sleep, mood, and confidence.   • Non-participants were asked 10 questions related to barriers to attending Tai Chi classes.    • All study participants completed the ABC scale for assessment of fear of falling. Results: • Tai Chi participants appeared to rate themselves as more confident in performing daily tasks without falling in 11/13 categories on the ABC scale.  • Participants reported increased balance (80%) and confidence (80%) since starting Tai Chi.  • Non-participants reported physical limitations and time of class as barriers to participation.  Conclusions:  • Living Well reports their fall rate as 25%, which may be lower than that of the national fall rate of 33% for seniors (age> 65) as reported by the CDC.  • Tai Chi participants at Living Well report high levels of balance and confidence.  • Accommodating physical limitations and offering varying class times may increase participation in Tai Chi. References: Powell, LE & Myers AM. The Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. J Gerontol Med Sci. 1995; 50(1):M28-34.  Sherrington C, Whitney JC, Lord SR, Herbert RD, Cumming RG, Close JC. Effective exercise for prevention of falls: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2008; 56:2234–2243.  Taylor D, Hale L, Schluter P, et al. Effectiveness of Tai Chi as a community-based falls prevention intervention: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2012; 60(5):841-848.  Vermont Department of Health. Injury in Vermont. Injury Prevention Program. 2008. http://healthvermont.gov/family/injury/documents/InjuryBurdenDoc2008FinalDraft.pdf 

Pilot Study of the Effects of Tai Chi on Elderly Fall Risks

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Pilot Study of the Effects of Tai Chi on Elderly Fall Risks

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