title: An Ai Chi-based aquatic group improves balance and reduces falls in community-dwelling adults: A pilot observational cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Falls are associated with morbidity, loss of independence, and mortality. While land-based group exercise and Tai Chi programs reduce the risk of falls, aquatic therapy may allow patients to complete balance exercises with less pain and fear of falling; however, limited data exist.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to pilot the implementation of an aquatic group based on Ai Chi principles (Aquabalance) and to evaluate the safety, intervention acceptability, and intervention effect sizes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pilot observational cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two outpatients underwent a single 45-minute weekly group aquatic Ai Chi-based session for eight weeks (Aquabalance). Safety was monitored using organizational reporting systems. Patient attendance, satisfaction, and self-reported falls were also recorded. Balance measures included the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the Four Square Step Test (FSST), and the unilateral Step Tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two patients completed the program. It was feasible to deliver Aquabalance, as evidenced by the median (IQR) attendance rate of 8.0 (7.8, 8.0) out of 8. No adverse events occurred and participants reported high satisfaction levels. Improvements were noted on the TUG, 10-meter walk test, the Functional Reach Test, the FSST, and the unilateral step tests (p < 0.05). The proportion of patients defined as high falls risk reduced from 38% to 21%. The study was limited by its small sample size, single-center nature, and the absence of a control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aquabalance was safe, well-attended, and acceptable to participants. A randomized controlled assessor-blinded trial is required.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Community-based Rehabilitation/Physiotherapy , Western Health , St Albans , Victoria , Australia.|b Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Science , Western Centre for Health Research and Education, Western Health , St Albans , Victoria , Australia.|c Allied Health Research Unit , Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University , Frankston , Victoria , Australia.|d School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences , University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Victoria , Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.affiliation: a Department of Community-based Rehabilitation/Physiotherapy , Western Health , St Albans , Victoria , Australia.
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dinh
authors.affiliation: a Department of Community-based Rehabilitation/Physiotherapy , Western Health , St Albans , Victoria , Australia.|e Department of Physiotherapy , Mackay Base Hospital, Queensland Health , Mackay , Queensland , Australia.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.affiliation: f Department of Physiotherapy , Barwon Health , Geelong , Victoria , Australia.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piper
authors.affiliation: a Department of Community-based Rehabilitation/Physiotherapy , Western Health , St Albans , Victoria , Australia.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thwaites
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D018401:Sample Size; D026302:Tai Ji; D000074822:Treatment Adherence and Compliance; D000073678:Water Sports
keywords: Ai Chi; aquatic therapy; balance training; falls; rehabilitation