title: Effects of Tai Chi on Cognition and Fall Risk in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether combined center- and home-based Tai Chi training can improve cognitive ability and reduce physiological fall risk in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chiang Mai, Thailand.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults aged 60 and older who met Petersen's criteria for multiple-domain a-MCI (N = 66).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three weeks center-based and 12 weeks home-based Tai Chi (50 minutes per session, 3 times per week).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cognitive tests, including Logical Memory (LM) delayed recall, Block Design, Digit Span forward and backward, and Trail-Making Test Part B-A (TMT B-A), and fall risk index using the Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of the trial, performance on LM, Block Design, and TMT B-A were significantly better for the Tai Chi group than the control group after adjusting for baseline test performance. The Tai Chi group also had significantly better composite PPA score and PPA parameter scores: knee extension strength, reaction time, postural sway, and lower limb proprioception.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined center- and home-based Tai Chi training three times per week for 15 weeks significantly improved cognitive function and moderately reduced physiological fall risk in older adults with multiple-domain a-MCI. Tai Chi may be particularly beneficial to older adults with this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Somporn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sungkarat
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sirinun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boripuntakul
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nipon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chattipakorn
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kanokwan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watcharasaksilp
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lord
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D026302:Tai Ji; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Tai Chi; aged; cognition; fall risk; mild cognitive impairment