Efficacy of supervised Tai Chi exercises versus conventional ...

by News Feed on November 22, 2012

Efficacy of supervised Tai Chi exercises versus conventional physical therapy exercises in fall prevention for frail older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Disabil Rehabil. 2012 Nov 20;

Authors: Tousignant M, Corriveau H, Roy PM, Desrosiers J, Dubuc N, H?bert R

Abstract
Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of supervised Tai Chi exercises versus the conventional physical therapy exercises in a personalized rehabilitation program in terms of the incidence and severity of falls in a frail older population. Method: The participants were frail older adults living in the community, admitted to the day hospital program in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada (n = 152). They were randomized to receive a 15-week intervention, either by supervised Tai Chi exercises (n = 76) or conventional physical therapy (n = 76). Fall incidence and severity were assessed using both the calendar technique and phone interviews once a month during 12 months following the end of the intervention. Other variables were collected at baseline to compare the two groups: age, comorbidity, balance, sensory interaction on balance, and self-rated health. Results: Both interventions demonstrated a protective effect on falls but Tai Chi showed a greater one (RR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.56-0.98) as compared to conventional physical therapy exercises. Conclusions: Supervised Tai Chi exercises as part of a rehabilitation program seem to be a more effective alternative to the conventional physical therapy exercises for this specific population. [Box: see text].

PMID: 23167499 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Source: http://nqa.org/2012/11/efficacy-of-supervised-tai-chi-exercises-versus-conventional-physical-therapy-exercises-in-fall-prevention-for-frail-older-adults-a-randomized-controlled-trial/

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