Effect of Tai Chi on physical function, fall rates and quality of life among older stroke survivors.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of a 12-week Tai Chi (TC) intervention on physical function and quality of life.


METHODS
Single-blind, randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
General community.


METHODS
Community-dwelling survivors of stroke (N=145; 47% women; mean age, 70y; time poststroke: 3y; ischemic stroke: 66%; hemiparesis: 73%) who were aged ≥50 years and were ≥3 months poststroke.


METHODS
Yang style 24-posture short-form TC (n=53), strength and range of movement exercises (SS) (n=44), or usual care (UC) (n=48) for 12 weeks. The TC and SS groups attended a 1-hour class 3 times per week, whereas the UC group had weekly phone calls.


METHODS
Physical function: Short Physical Performance Battery, fall rates, and 2-minute step test; quality of life: Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.


RESULTS
During the intervention, TC participants had two thirds fewer falls (5 falls) than the SS (14 falls) and UC (15 falls) groups (χ(2)=5.6, P=.06). There was a significant group by time interaction for the 2-minute step test (F2,142=4.69, P<.01). Post hoc tests indicated that the TC (t53=2.45, P=.02) and SS (t44=4.63, P<.01) groups had significantly better aerobic endurance over time, though not in the UC group (t48=1.58, P=.12). Intervention adherence rates were 85%.


CONCLUSIONS
TC and SS led to improved aerobic endurance, and both are suitable community-based programs that may aid in stroke recovery and community reintegration. Our data suggest that a 12-week TC intervention was more effective in reducing fall rates than SS or UC interventions. Future studies examining the effectiveness of TC as a fall prevention strategy for community-dwelling survivors of stroke are recommended.
College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Electronic address: rtaylor@nursing.arizona.edu.
Ruth E
RE
Taylor-Piliae
College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Tiffany M
TM
Hoke
College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Joseph T
JT
Hepworth
College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
L Daniel
LD
Latt
College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Bijan
B
Najafi
College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Bruce M
BM
Coull
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Accidental falls; Controlled clinical trial [publication type]; Rehabilitation; Stroke; Tai Ji