An outpatient Tai Chi program: Effects on veterans' functional outcomes
Author: Lana M Brown1,2, Linda M Sawyer1,2, Shelly Y Lensing1,3, Tanya Taylor1, Melinda M Bopp1, Ileina Ferrier1, Dennis H Sullivan1,4
Affiliation:
1 Geriatric Research Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
2 College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
3 Department of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
4 Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
Conference/Journal: Nurs Forum
Date published: 2021 Apr 1
Other:
Volume ID: 56 , Issue ID: 2 , Pages: 448-452 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1111/nuf.12532. , Word Count: 208
Purpose:
To evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based 12-week Tai Chi course designed to improve balance and physical function in a population of older veterans.
Methods:
Community dwelling veterans of all ages with gait and balance problems were invited to participate in the Tai Chi program. Participants completed the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) at baseline and again at the end of the program. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize study participants' characteristics. The change from baseline to the end of the 12-week program was calculated for each of the three primary outcome variables (BBS, TUG, FES-I).
Results:
Twenty-two veterans, aged 58 years and above, with perceived gait and/or balance issues were enrolled in the program with completion by 11 veterans. Veterans who completed their final assessments showed the BBS, improved significantly (p = 0.004) from baseline to the 12-week assessment. The TUG scores improved by a median of 1.3 s (p = 0.022). There was not a significant change in the FES-I.
Conclusions:
Preliminary findings provide evidence of the effectiveness of a 12-week Tai Chi program to improve functional outcomes for older veterans with mild to moderate gait and balance problems.
Keywords: Tai Chi; balance; exercise; gait; geriatrics.
PMID: 33241873 DOI: 10.1111/nuf.12532
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