title: Using Tai Chi to Reduce Fall Risk Factors Among Older Adults: An Evaluation of a Community-Based Implementation.
abstract: This study aimed to evaluate a community-based implementation of an evidence-based fall prevention program, in which 131 individuals participated in Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance. Self-report and functional performance assessments included demographics, health and fall history, the Activities-Specific Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go test, and the Functional Reach test. Pre-post scores were compared with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The mostly female participants were 73 years old, on average. At baseline, 18% reported being afraid or very afraid of falling, and 18% had fallen in the past 6 months. At follow-up, there was significant improvement in Timed Up and Go ( p < .001), Functional Reach ( p < .01), and Activities-Specific Balance Scale scores ( p < .01). These results demonstrate that a 12-week evidence-based Tai Chi program can be feasibly implemented by novice instructors, is well-received by older adults, and can effectively reduce fall risk when implemented in community settings.
authors.affiliation: 1 University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Mary P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gallant
authors.affiliation: 2 New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Meaghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tartaglia
authors.affiliation: 3 Safe States Alliance, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hardman
authors.affiliation: 4 Albany Medical College, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Kara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burke
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005080:Exercise Test; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D004856:Postural Balance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D026302:Tai Ji
keywords: evidence-based practice; exercise; falls; program evaluation