Lack of effect of Tai Chi Chuan in preventing falls in elderly people living at home: a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi Chuan in fall prevention in elderly people living at home with a high risk of falling.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Two industrial towns in the western part of the Netherlands.


METHODS
Two hundred sixty-nine elderly people (average age 77) living at home with a high risk of falling.


METHODS
The intervention group received Tai Chi Chuan training for 1 hour twice a week for 13 weeks; the control group received usual care. Both groups received a brochure containing general information on how to prevent fall incidents.


METHODS
Primary outcome was the number of falls over 12 months. Secondary outcomes were balance, fear of falling, blood pressure, heart rate at rest, forced expiratory volume during the first second, peak expiratory flow, physical activity, and functional status.


RESULTS
After 12 months, no lower fall risk in the Tai Chi Chuan group was observed than in the control group (adjusted hazard ratio=1.16; 95% confidence interval=0.84-1.60), and there were no significant intervention effects on the secondary outcome measures.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that Tai Chi Chuan may not be effective in elderly people at a high risk of falling who live at home.
Logghe
Inge H J
IH
Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. i.logghe@erasmusmc.nl
Zeeuwe
Petra E M
PE
Verhagen
Arianne P
AP
Wijnen-Sponselee
Ria M T
RM
Willemsen
Sten P
SP
Bierma-Zeinstra
Sita M A
SM
van Rossum
Erik
E
Faber
Marjan J
MJ
Koes
Bart W
BW
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D026302:Tai Ji