Efficacy of Tai Chi exercises versus physical therapy exercises in fall ...

Efficacy of supervised Tai Chi exercises versus conventional physical therapy exercises in fall prevention for frail older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Disabil Rehabil. 2012 Nov 20; Authors: Tousignant M, Corriveau H, Roy PM, Desrosiers J, Dubuc N, H?bert R Abstract Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of supervised Tai Chi exercises versus the conventional physical therapy exercises in a personalized rehabilitation program in terms of the incidence and severity of falls in a frail older population. Method: The participants were frail older adults living in the community, admitted to the day hospital program in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada (n = 152). They were randomized to receive a 15-week intervention, either by supervised Tai Chi exercises (n = 76) or conventional physical therapy (n = 76). Fall incidence and severity were assessed using both the calendar technique and phone interviews once a month during 12 months following the end of the intervention. Other variables were collected at baseline to compare the two groups: age, comorbidity, balance, sensory interaction on balance, and self-rated health. Results: Both interventions demonstrated a protective effect on falls but Tai Chi showed a greater one (RR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.56-0.98) as compared to conventional physical therapy exercises.

Conclusions: Supervised Tai Chi exercises as part of a rehabilitation program seem to be a more effective alternative to the conventional physical therapy exercises for this specific population.

[Box: see text]. PMID: 23167499 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Source: Pubmed

Source: MindBodySpirit4Health.com

Source: http://integralwisdomqigong.com/1206/efficacy-of-tai-chi-exercises-versus-physical-therapy-exercises-in-fall-prevention-for-older-adults/

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