Tai Chi and falls in the elderly
October 30th, 2011
Question :
Can tai chi practice prevent falls in the elderly over a 12 month period?
Answer :
After 12 months, the risk of falls was not lower in the Tai Chi group.
Summary :
A randomized clinical trial where 269 elderly people were allocated to either Tai Chi training or to a control group receiving usual care. Tai Chi was performed for 1 hour, twice a week, for 13 weeks. The subjects where living at home and had an average age was 77.
Reference :
Lack of effect of Tai Chi Chuan in preventing falls in elderly people living at home: a randomized clinical trial.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2009 Jan.
