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.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Important facts about falls. Atlanta, GA: Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adultfalls.html
2.
DuncanP. W.WeinerD. K.ChandlerJ.StudenskiS. (1990). Functional reach: A new clinical measure of balance. Journal of Gerontology, 45(6), M192-M197.
3.
FinkD.HoustonK. (2014). Implementing an evidence-based Tai Ji Quan program in a multicultural setting: A pilot dissemination project. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 3, 27-31.
4.
GillespieL. D.RobertsonM. C.GillespieW. J.SherringtonC.GatesS.ClemsonL. M.LambS. E. (2012). Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 9(11). Art. No.: CD007146. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007146.pub3
5.
GitlinL. N.ChernettN. L.HarrisL. F.PalmerD.HopkinsP.DennisM. P. (2008). Harvest health: Translation of the chronic disease self-management program for older African Americans in a senior setting. The Gerontologist, 48, 698-705.
6.
GlasgowR. E.EmmonsK. M. (2007). How can we increase translation of research into practice? Types of evidence needed. Annual Review of Public Health, 28, 413-433.
7.
GreenL. W.GlasgowR. W. (2006). Evaluating the relevance, generalization, and applicability of research issues in external validation and translation methodology. Evaluation & the Health Professions, 29, 126-153.
8.
LanC.LaiJ. S.ChenS. Y. (2002). Tai chi chuan: An ancient wisdom on exercise and health promotion. Sports Medicine, 32, 217-224.
9.
LiF. (2014). Transforming traditional Tai Ji Quan techniques into integrative movement therapy—Tai Ji Quan: Moving for better balance. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 3, 9-15.
10.
LiF.HarmerP.FisherK. J.McAuleyE.ChaumetonN.EckstromE.WilsonN. L. (2005). Tai Chi and fall reductions in older adults: A randomized controlled trial. The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences, 60, 187-194.
11.
LiF.HarmerP.GlasgowR.MackK. A.SleetD.FisherK. J.. . . TompkinsY. (2008). Translation of an effective Tai Chi intervention into a community-based falls-prevention program. American Journal of Public Health, 98, 1195-1198.
12.
LiF.HarmerP.MackK. A.SleetD.FisherK. J.KohnM. A.. . . TompkinsY. (2008). Tai Chi: Moving for better balance—Development of a community-based falls prevention program. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 53, 445-455.
13.
LiF.HarmerP.StockR.FitzgeraldK.StevensJ.GladieuxM.. . . VoitJ. (2013). Implementing an evidence-based fall prevention program in an outpatient clinical setting. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 61, 2142-2149.
14.
MansonJ. D.TamimH.BakerJ. (2017). Barriers and promoters for enrollment to a community-based Tai Chi program for older, low-income, and ethnically diverse adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology. 36, 592–609. doi:10.1177/0733464815597315
15.
National Center for Health Statistics. (2012). QuickStats: Rate of nonfatal, medically consulted fall injury episodes,† by age group. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 61(4), 81.
16.
New York State Department of Health. (2013). Falls in older adults, New York State. Albany: New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Bureau of Occupational Health and Injury Prevention, Injury Prevention Program. Retrieved from http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/injury_prevention/falls_in_older_adults_nys.htm
17.
PodsiadloD.RichardsonS. (1991). The Timed “Up & Go”: A test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 39, 142-148.
18.
PowellL. E.MyersA. M. (1995). The Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences, 50(1), M28-M34.
19.
Shumway-CookA.BrauerS.WoollacottM. (2000). Predicting the probability for falls in community-dwelling older adults using the Timed Up & Go Test. Physical Therapy, 80, 896-903.
20.
WilcoxS.DowdaM.GriffinS. F.RheaumeC.OryM. G.LevitonL.. . . MockenhauptR. (2006). Results of the first year active for life: Translation of 2 evidence-based physical activity programs for older adults into community settings. American Journal of Public Health, 96, 1201-1209.
21.
WolfS. L.BarnhartH. X.KutnerN. G.McNeelyE.CooglerC.XuT. (1996). Reducing frailty and falls in older persons: An investigation of Tai Chi and computerized balance training. Atlanta FICSIT Group. Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 44, 489-497.
22.
ZachariaS.TaylorE. L.HoffordC. W.BrittainD. R.BranscumP. W. (2015). The effect of an 8-week Tai Chi exercise program on physical functional performance in middle-aged women. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 34, 573-589.
