The Effects of a Short-Term Exercise Program on Movement,Pain,and Mood in the Elderly

Abstract

Therapeutic effects of a short-term Tai Chi exercise program for the elderly were evaluated in a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design. This pilot study evaluated changes in flexibility, balance, sway, pain, and mood after a short slow-motion exercise. The program consisted of a series of movements involving turning, shifting weight, bending, and arm movements in combination with diaphragmatic breathing with slow movements. The measured effects included improved balance, sway, range of motion, decreased perceived pain, and lessened trait anxiety. Participants included 11 elderly females. Instruments consisted of standard goniometry, the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List, stopwatch measures of single-leg stance and a tandem walk (sway), and visual analog measurement of pain. Findings included significant improvement (p = .05) in trait anxiety and pain perception. Improvements in mood, flexibility, and balance may have a profound effect on the incidence of falls, injuries, resulting disability, and overall quality of life.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Brown, D. R. , Wang, Y. , Ward, A. , Ebbeling, C. B. , Fortlage, L. , Puleo, E. , Benson, H. , & Rippe, J. M. (1995). Chronic psychological effects of exercise and exercise plus cognitive strategies. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 27(5), 765-774.

Deusen, J. V. , & Harlowe, D. (1987). The efficacy of the ROM dance program for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 41(2), 90-95.

Educational and Industrial Testing Service (EdiTS) . (1985). Manual for the MAACL-R: The Multiple Affect Adjective Check List Revised. San Diego, CA: Author.

Garfinkel, M. S. , Schumaker, H. R. , Husain, A. , Levy, M. , & Reshetar, R. (1994). Evaluation of a Yoga based regimen for treatment of osteoarthritis of the hands. The Journal of Rheumatology, 21(12), 2341-2343.

Green, J. S. , & Crouse, S. F. (1995). The effects of endurance training on functional capacity in the elderly: A meta-analysis. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 27(6), 920-926.

Jin, P. (1992). Efficacy of Tai Chi, brisk walking, meditation, and reading in reducing mental and emotional stress. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 36(4), 361-370.

Kirsteins, A. E. , Dietz, M. D. , & Hwang, S. (1991). Evaluating the safety and potential use of weight-bearing exercise, Tai-Chi Chuan, for rheumatoid arthritis patients. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 70(3), 136-141.

Kurian, M. , Caterino, L. , & Kulhavy, R. (1993). Personality characteristics and duration of ATATaek wondotraining. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 76, 363-366.

Liu, D. (1990). The Tao of health and longevity. New York: Paragon.

10.

Province, M. A. , Hadley, E. C. , Hornbrook, M. C. , Lipsitz, L. A. , Miller, P. , Mulrow, C. D. , Ory, M. G. , Sattin, R. W. , Tinetti, M. E. , & Wolf, S. L. (1995). The effects of exercise on falls in elderly patients. Journal of the American Medical Association, 273(17), 1341-1347.

11.

Ross, M. C. (1998). The therapeutic effects of Tai Chi for the elderly. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 24(2), 45-47.

12.

Sheldon, J. (1963). The effect of age on the control of sway. Gerontology Clinics, 5, 129-138.

13.

Wolf, S. , Kutner, N. , Green, R. , & McNeely, E. (1993). The Atlanta FICSIT study: Two exercise interventions to reduce frailty in elders. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 41, 329-332.

14.

Wolson, L. , Whipple, R. , Judge, J. , Amerman, P. Derby, C. , & King, M. (1993). Training balance and strength in the elderly to improve function. Journal of the American Geriatric Society, 41, 341-343.

15.

Zuckerman, M. , Lubin, B. , & Rinck, C. M. (1983). Construction of new scales for the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List. Journal of Behavioral Assessment, 5, 119-129.