Tai Chi Research » Quality Of Life

Tai Chi reduces Fear of Falling among the Elderly

David Bendall — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 17:15:42 +0000

Fear of falling is major health problem among elderly adults. Researchers at Chang-Gung University in Taiwan studied the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral strategies with and without tai chi in reducing the fear of falling.

Participants were randomly assigned to a control group, a cognitive-behavioral group without tai chi or a cognitive-behavioral group with tai chi. Participants in the tai chi group had significant improvements in fear of falling, mobility, social support behavior and satisfaction and quality of life five months after the intervention compared to the cognitive behavior along and control groups.

Abstract

Fear of falling has been shown to be linked to future risk of falls regardless of actual risk levels and can lead to social isolation and decreased quality of life. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that tai chi is an effective intervention for fall prevention.

Reference

Tai chi improves symptoms and quality of life in patients with moderate heart failure.

David Bendall — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:30:43 +0000

A study done at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, UK investigated the effect of tai chi on exercise tolerance in patients with moderate heart failure. 52 patients were randomly assigned to 16 weeks of tai chi or standard care without exercise rehabilitation. While there were not statistically significant improvements to exercise tolerance, the study found statistically significant improvements in symptoms scores of heart failure and depression scores in the tai chi group. The researchers observed that there were no adverse exercise related problems in the tai chi group and that the training was enjoyed by all.

Abstract

Study finds tai chi improved sleep stability in individuals with chronic heart failure.

David Bendall — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:52:39 +0000

Researchers at Harvard Medical School analyzed ECG data from 18 patients with chronic heart failure, 8 of whom were randomly assigned to receive 12 weeks of tai chi training while the rest were assigned to a control group. Both groups also receive conventional care. The ECG data showed significant differences between the two groups with the tai chi group having signs of increased sleep stability with correlations between improved sleep stability and improved quality of life. The researchers conclude that tai chi may enhance sleep stability in patients with chronic heart failure and that this may have beneficial impacts on blood pressure, arrhythmogenesis and quality of life.

Abstract