Clinical evidence supports Tai Chi as a beneficial intervention for improving mobility and preventing falls in older adults, though much of the research comes from community-dwelling populations rather than those in long-term care settings.

Systematic reviews have included Tai Chi as part of exercise programs that reduce fall-related injuries, fractures, and the need for medical care; however, findings specific to long-term care settings are less robust and often must be extrapolated from studies in broader or slightly different populations .

Tai Chi improves balance and mobility through slow, controlled weight shifts, multidirectional movement, and deliberate changes in posture, which enhance proprioception, dynamic stability, lower limb strength, and overall confidence in movement.

In populations such as older adults with Parkinson’s disease, Tai Chi, alone or combined with other balance activities like walking and dancing, improves movement control and endurance, leading to reduced falls and better walking ability.

The most observable benefits have been shown when Tai Chi or similar balance-focused exercises are performed with professional guidance 2–4 times per week (about one hour per session) for one to three months, along with 15–20 minutes of daily self-practice .

While direct evidence about reduced fractures and serious injuries is based on multi-component exercise interventions (including but not exclusive to Tai Chi), Tai Chi’s inclusion as a balance-oriented approach is strongly supported within these programs.

For occupational therapists, optimal strategies include tailoring the frequency and intensity to the individual’s needs, progressing complexity as balance improves, and regularly reassessing abilities to ensure challenge and safety.

Evidence for transitioning patients from facility to home setting remains emergent, and extrapolation from similar at-risk groups is reasonable, but clinicians should remain aware of this limitation.

Clinical evidence supports Tai Chi as a beneficial intervention for improving mobility and preventing falls in older adults, though much of the research comes from community-dwelling populations rather than those in long-term care settings.

Title:

Content: Lifestyle Interventions and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's and Dementia

— "Without any change, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease could more than double"

MedpageToday

Cognitive decline in Alzheimer's and other dementias may be delayed for some at-risk older adults, recent clinical trials have suggested.

The ACHIEVE study, for example, reported that hearing aids cut the rate of cognitive decline by 48% over 3 years in older adults who had a high risk of dementia. And in a randomized controlled trial of people with mild cognitive impairment or self-reported memory concerns, cognitively enhanced tai-chi led to improved global cognition scores.

"Currently, two-thirds of Americans have at least one major risk factor for dementia," said Heather Snyder, PhD, of the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago.

"The need for effective risk reduction strategies to help all communities grows larger by the day," Snyder stated. "Without any change, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease could more than double by mid-century."

In 2015, the FINGER study in Finland was the first randomized controlled trial to show it was possible to delay cognitive decline using a multidomain lifestyle intervention.

In the U.S., the POINTER study is evaluating multiple ways to protect cognition in 2,000 at-risk older adults. "Recruiting for the clinical trial was successfully completed in March 2023," Snyder said. "The study is expected to begin reporting results in summer 2025."

"U.S. POINTER community-based teams recruited nearly 30% of participants from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in research, including racially and ethnically minoritized individuals and those from rural areas," she added.

New Clinical Trial Data

About 40% of dementia cases may be prevented or delayed by modifying 12 risk factors, according to a 2020 report from the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care.

In the past year, several trials have shown that lifestyle interventions -- notably ones involving physical exercise or hearing aids -- could delay dementia onset. Two trials have combined exercise with a cognitive component, including a study of cognitively enhanced tai chi in older adults at risk for dementia, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

"Research has shown that both physical and mental activity may attenuate age-related declines in cognitive function and dual task activities, but combined physical and mental challenges may be more effective than either alone," said study co-author Peter Harmer, PhD, MPH, of the Oregon Research Institute in Eugene.

Cognitively enhanced tai chi was designed to synergistically stimulate neuroplasticity, Harmer noted. The regimen included an emphasis on performing properly despite an interfering mental or motor task, following instructions that required recalling names and detailed steps, and distinguishing correct from miscued instructions.

The study randomized older adults with mild cognitive impairment or self-reported memory concerns to stretching, standard tai chi, or cognitively enhanced tai chi for 1 hour semi-weekly for 24 weeks. The cognitively enhanced tai chi group outperformed other groups on improvements in both global cognition scores and dual-task performance while walking, with effects persisting at 48 weeks.

The SYNERGIC trial, published in JAMA Network Open, took a different approach to combining physical exercise and cognitive training. SYNERGIC randomized older adults with mild cognitive impairment to physical exercise with or without cognitive training and vitamin D supplementation for 20 weeks.

Overall, those who received aerobic-resistance exercises with sequential computerized cognitive training had improved cognition, but some results were inconsistent.

The multidomain intervention effect was larger than the improvement from exercise alone, reported Manuel Montero-Odasso, MD, PhD, of the Parkwood Institute in London, Ontario, and co-authors, and vitamin D supplementation showed no significant benefit. In several arms of the trial, cognitive improvements diminished slightly at 12 months, but did not revert to baseline levels.

Another intervention that showed promise was the use of hearing aids. Hearing loss is treatable in later life, which makes it an important public health target to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, noted Frank Lin, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues who reported the findings of the ACHIEVE trial in The Lancet.

ACHIEVE assigned participants to one of two interventions -- either hearing aids or a health education program. Both groups received follow-up visits every 6 months, and cognitive tests were conducted every year for 3 years.

The trial's main analysis showed no difference in the rate of change in cognitive functioning between the hearing aid group and the education group. In a pre-specified analysis of participants with high risk for future dementia, however, cognitive decline was reduced over 3 years in those assigned to wear hearing aids compared with those who received health education.

Policies to Help Reduce Cognitive Decline

Research about Alzheimer's and dementia risk factors is evolving, and Lancet Commission researcher Gill Livingston, MD, of the University College London in England, is optimistic that policymakers will continue to use new insights to help reduce global cognitive decline.

Since 2020, several countries have taken steps to address modifiable risk factors, Livingston noted. "U.S. policy has changed, and many countries and the World Health Organization have issued new policy documents," she said.

In the U.S., the 2023 update to the National Alzheimer's Project Act included new risk reduction strategies, Livingston pointed out. The CDC also extended its Healthy Brain Initiative program with state and local health officials.

An updated Lancet Commission report about dementia is under review and should be published this year, Livingston said.

Disclosures

Snyder had no conflicts of interest.

Harmer reported no conflicts of interest.

Livingston had no conflicts of interest.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Systematic reviews have included Tai Chi as part of exercise programs that reduce fall-related injuries, fractures, and the need for medical care; however, findings specific to long-term care settings are less robust and often must be extrapolated from studies in broader or slightly different populations .

Title:

Content: Exercise programs meant to prevent falls in seniors may also help prevent injuries caused by falls, according to a new review.

Fall-related injuries are common among seniors and a major cause of long-term pain and disability. They also increase the risk of having to go to a nursing home and have a high economic cost.

The new findings, published online Oct. 29 in the journal bmj.com, suggest that "reducing the risk of falling and improving protective responses during a fall may be an important and feasible means of preventing fractures and other serious injuries in the elderly," the study authors wrote in a journal news release.

Well-designed exercise programs can prevent falls in seniors living at home, but there is a lack of evidence on whether such programs can help prevent fall-related injuries, said French researchers Fabienne El-Khoury and colleagues.

In this review, they analyzed 17 studies that looked at whether fall-prevention exercises lowered seniors' risk of fractures and other injuries caused by falls. More than 4,000 participants were involved in all.

Tai Chi was the exercise in two of the studies, but most of them used gait, balance, strength and functional training, which involves workouts that help people do normal daily activities.

Most of the programs reduced fall-related injuries and appeared to significantly curb falls that lead to fractures, serious injuries and medical care.

Balance training was emphasized in all of the exercises that were effective in preventing falls, the researchers noted.

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about older adults and falls.

Latest videos

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Tai Chi improves balance and mobility through slow, controlled weight shifts, multidirectional movement, and deliberate changes in posture, which enhance proprioception, dynamic stability, lower limb strength, and overall confidence in movement.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

How does Tai Chi enhance balance and body coordination?

It incorporates a lot of weight shifting and deliberate walking into its routines.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

Improved muscle strength
Improved balance

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

In populations such as older adults with Parkinson’s disease, Tai Chi, alone or combined with other balance activities like walking and dancing, improves movement control and endurance, leading to reduced falls and better walking ability.

Title:

Content: Functional and physical therapy division and collaboration in the rehabilitation of Parkinson ’ s disease
Health Care Network
Wu is 82 years old. She was diagnosed with atypical Parkinson ’ s disease five years ago. Her daily life or work needs to rely on a walking aid to walk. significantly improved.
This is an advertisement, please continue reading.
Grandpa Liu is 75 years old and has been suffering from Parkinson ’ s disease for 10 years. He was able to walk without assistive devices. He suddenly became severely degraded and fell all the time. Even with the help of a single crutch, he still fell many times.
Fall prevention and recovery, the sooner you start, the better.
The incidence of Parkinson ’ s disease falls is 50%. Although early rehabilitation can reduce the incidence of falls, most people still like Grandma Wu and Grandpa Liu, wait until the fall will go to the rehabilitation department, but in fact, the sooner the rehabilitation is carried out, the better.
Regarding fall prevention, Dr. Yang Yunlin and Dr. Cheng Zhiyan, who work in the same clinic, said that occupational therapy and physical therapy can provide promotion strategies to improve both typical and atypical Barkinsonian disease, and they can choose health insurance or pay for it according to their conditions and needs.
But what is the difference between functional and physical therapy in recovery from Parkinson ’ s disease?
Figure 2: In response to Pai Yo ’ s stiffness, the occupational therapist focuses on daily practice, while the physiotherapist focuses on the improvement of ability.
Functional Therapy Exercises Focusing on Daily Life
Occupational therapists will choose appropriate aids and adjust the environment according to the ability of the case to successfully complete a task, set stage goals, and plan step-by-step training strategies to help patients recover the most daily activities, such as waking up, standing or turning in a small space, going to the bathroom, lighting and darkness in the space, and walking space.
Dr. Yang said that people with Parkinson ’ s disease often fall because they are distracted by not focusing or doing two things at the same time. Therefore, functional therapy will disassemble the original automated movements into simpler steps, allowing patients to reconnect, practice and remember them, giving “inner prompts ” to reconstruct the automated path, or designing action-awareness dual task training.
Take Grandma Wu as an example, the promotion strategies he offers are:
1. Focus on movement and steps
2. Practice stride and turn techniques
3. Practice life tasks such as taking things while walking
4. Turn around and squat down to check things
Physiotherapy is the promotion of eyesight.
Physiotherapy will assess the overall state of the patient ’ s posture, muscle strength, balance, mobility, ability to shift, and continuous movement performance, and then prevent and improve the patient ’ s movement through exercise, equipment, hand therapy, functional training and technical aids, and improve the injury by correcting posture or reducing pain.
LSVT BIG ® (Lee Silvermann Voice Treatment - BIG therapy) is a movement training therapy designed specifically for Parkinson ’ s disease that emphasizes the principle of “big movement ” to increase the quality of movement.
Therefore, when Zheng therapists guide the case to balance, joint activity, muscle strength, and gait training, they will always ask the case to remind themselves that the action strategy should be large, the center of gravity should be shifted, and the center of gravity should be in place when standing up, so that the risk of falling can be reduced.
Grandpa Liu also thought of seeking physical therapy because of a fall. The strategies of Dr. Cheng ’ s physiotherapist are:
1. Movement Enlargement Training
2. Core stability training
3. Dynamic Balance Training
4. Gait training
Whether it is functional or physical therapy, people with Parkinson ’ s disease can significantly improve their walking ability in one to three months as long as they have professional guidance and practice, and gradually reduce the incidence of falls.
The step-by-step walking training strategy is short for stride skills, flat ground walking, big turns, and road walking. Each practice time is 2-4 times a week, one hour each time, plus 15-20 minutes of daily self-training at home.
Fig. 3: Occupational therapists use assistive devices in combination with training for Pau ’ s hand stiffness. Physiotherapists assess the main cause of the overall condition before planning a training program.
Hand stiffness and physical treatment of Parkinson ’ s disease
For example, in patients with Parkinson ’ s disease, when their hands are weak, trembling or stiff, they will use meal aids combined with training to improve their ability to eat autonomously, for example, by increasing the handle of a spoon so that they can hold it better, so that their fingers can be less laborious.
Physiotherapy will focus more on the patient ’ s respiratory, nervous, skeletal, muscular endurance and other physical conditions to assess why it is impossible to eat autonomously.
Is it possible that the problem is due to insufficient support for the shoulder blades, or is it because his muscles are too stiff to get to his mouth?
Or is the movement too small to scoop for a long time? The tremor is too severe, affecting the smoothness of the movement.
Once the problem has been identified, the physiotherapist will plan the training according to the individual situation.
Dr. Cheng added that although Dr. Yang and I are usually responsible for different cases, because we work together, we can often communicate with each other quickly on the situation of the case, learn from each other's professional perspectives, and propose strategies to promote the integration of functions and physical therapy, which is also one of the advantages of self-funded rehabilitation.
It's best to do a rehabilitation assessment for people with Parkinson's disease with or without drugs.
In particular, Yang Qineng therapists pointed out that the patients with Parkinson ’ s disease have a large difference in drug effectiveness. The ideal state of rehabilitation is that they can also do training or evaluation when there is no drug effect. If the patient ’ s condition assessment can also have drug effect and no drug effect, it can provide more complete information, and the therapist can provide more assistance.
If it is really difficult to go out in a drug-free state, the family can at least help to photograph the patient ’ s difficult movements at home.
Exercise is better than one.
Exercise has been shown to improve mobility and walking balance in patients with Parkinson ’ s disease.
Which exercise is most effective for people with Parkinson ’ s disease?
The two therapists said that diversity is better than a single, and patients are encouraged to do a variety of sports. It is best to include muscle strength, balance, coordination, softness, aerobic and double work situations for training to promote balance, muscle endurance, movement control, cognition and other different functions. Tai Chi, walking, dancing, and cycling are all good ways.
Source: Ruijin Anti-Aging Care Research and Education Foundation
(Interview / Arranged by Yang Yunlin, Cheng Zhiyan, Physiotherapist / Kuo Tsz Ming)
Source: Healthnews.com https: / / www.healthnews.com.tw / readnews.php? id = 56236
Please like this article and share it with your friends! More health information: https: / / www.healthnews.com.tw
This is an advertisement, please continue reading.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease that may cause falls of elderly patients.

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

The most observable benefits have been shown when Tai Chi or similar balance-focused exercises are performed with professional guidance 2–4 times per week (about one hour per session) for one to three months, along with 15–20 minutes of daily self-practice .

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

How often should one practice Tai Chi to benefit from the exercise?

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

While direct evidence about reduced fractures and serious injuries is based on multi-component exercise interventions (including but not exclusive to Tai Chi), Tai Chi’s inclusion as a balance-oriented approach is strongly supported within these programs.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

For occupational therapists, optimal strategies include tailoring the frequency and intensity to the individual’s needs, progressing complexity as balance improves, and regularly reassessing abilities to ensure challenge and safety.

Evidence for transitioning patients from facility to home setting remains emergent, and extrapolation from similar at-risk groups is reasonable, but clinicians should remain aware of this limitation.


Falls are among the most significant health risks for older adults, frequently resulting in fractures, hospitalization, reduced mobility, diminished independence, and greater healthcare utilization.

In the context of patients transitioning from long-term care facilities to home settings, targeted interventions to prevent falls and improve mobility are a cornerstone of occupational therapy practice.

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese movement practice characterized by slow, flowing movements and sustained attention to posture and weight shifting, is often discussed as a non-pharmacological intervention with potential for fall prevention.

This report synthesizes relevant clinical evidence addressing the effectiveness of Tai Chi to reduce falls and improve physical stability, focusing particularly on older adults and those at higher risk during periods of care transition.

Multiple systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and expert guidelines support the use of Tai Chi to reduce fall risk and enhance mobility among older adults.

A comprehensive review encompassing 17 studies and over 4,000 participants identified Tai Chi—when included as part of structured exercise programs focused on balance, gait, strength, and function—as a significant component in reducing fall-related injuries.

The analysis provided evidence that Tai Chi reduced not only overall fall rate, but also falls leading to fractures, serious injuries, or need for medical care, thus supporting its clinical relevance in populations where injury risk is a critical concern .

Randomized controlled trials further clarify the impact of Tai Chi on physical and cognitive functions relevant to fall prevention.

One trial specifically targeting older adults with mild cognitive impairment or memory concerns found that cognitively enriched Tai Chi, compared to standard Tai Chi or stretching, yielded greater improvements in global cognitive scores and dual-task walking performance.

These improvements are notable, since the capacity to maintain balance while performing concurrent cognitive or physical tasks is directly related to fall risk in the real-world home environment.

The intervention consisted of twice-weekly, one-hour sessions over a period of 24 weeks, and the benefits persisted up to 48 weeks post-baseline, indicating durable results .

The mechanism of Tai Chi’s benefit in fall prevention is attributed to several interconnected factors.

Physiologically, Tai Chi stimulates and stretches the muscles, tendons, joints, and bones through a series of low-impact, weight-bearing movements.

This activity gently enhances overall muscular strength, flexibility, and proprioception.

Furthermore, Tai Chi has unique effects on the nervous system that translate into improvements in the speed and coordination of balance recovery reactions.

These factors combined underlie Tai Chi’s recognized role in strengthening both static and dynamic balance, as well as improving overall physical stability .

Clinical guidelines and synthesized evidence strongly endorse Tai Chi as an effective modality for fall prevention.

Balance exercises, including Tai Chi, are repeatedly cited as core elements within multimodal fall-prevention programs.

Two high-quality studies specifically evaluated Tai Chi’s efficacy within such frameworks, confirming its positive effects on gait, balance, and fall reduction .

These findings align with broader exercise guidelines suggesting that programs combining strength, balance, and aerobic training—and which are sustained over extended periods—yield the most pronounced effects on walking endurance, gait speed, overall functional capacity, and quality of life in older adults .

Regarding the optimal “dose” of Tai Chi, evidence converges on a minimum threshold of one hour per session, delivered twice weekly, for a period extending at least 12 to 24 weeks.

Notably, substantial improvements in mobility and balance have been documented with this frequency and duration, with positive effects observed to persist for months after program completion .

These findings are clinically significant, suggesting that even moderate exposure—readily integrated into a standard outpatient or home-based rehabilitation plan—can yield protective benefits.

Longer-term practice and engagement may further enhance durability of outcomes, especially for populations at ongoing risk.

The target populations for Tai Chi–based interventions in the context of fall prevention are primarily older adults, particularly those with histories of previous falls, fear of falling, or recognized gait and balance deficits.

Accurate identification of high fall-risk individuals is essential; recurrent fallers (those with four or more falls in a recent period) represent a subgroup at markedly heightened risk and may benefit most from targeted Tai Chi and balance training .

Additionally, individuals transitioning from institutional care back to home settings often have evolving physical and cognitive challenges that are directly addressed by Tai Chi’s multicomponent approach.

Beyond physical benefits, there is a growing recognition that Tai Chi also boosts confidence in balance and walking, reducing psychological barriers such as fear of falling—which itself influences risk.

Occupational therapists can further amplify the effects by coupling Tai Chi with standard rehabilitation, environmental modifications, and family or caregiver support .

While the clinical evidence base for Tai Chi in fall prevention and mobility improvement is robust, some limitations merit mention.

Many trials to date have included community-dwelling older adults rather than those with severe frailty or advanced multimorbidity, so extrapolation to very high-risk institutional populations requires caution.

Adherence to longer-term programs is also a challenge, with participation dropping in less supported settings.

Additionally, the diversity of Tai Chi styles and instructor qualifications can influence outcomes, suggesting a need for standardized protocols in therapeutic settings.

In summary, Tai Chi offers a well-supported, low-risk, and practical intervention to reduce falls and improve mobility among older adults transitioning from long-term care facilities to their homes.

High-quality reviews and randomized studies demonstrate significant reductions in falls and improvements in balance and functional capacity, with benefits most consistently observed with programs providing at least one hour of instruction twice a week for three to six months.

The intervention’s effectiveness is attributed to its capacity to enhance muscular strength, proprioceptive acuity, neuromuscular coordination, and self-confidence.

For occupational therapists, integrating Tai Chi into multimodal rehabilitation and fall-prevention strategies represents an evidence-based and feasible practice, with adaptability to a wide range of physical and cognitive starting points in the older adult population.

Continued research into program adherence, the impact in severely impaired populations, and strategies to optimize community-based delivery will further clarify and strengthen recommendations moving forward.

Falls are among the most significant health risks for older adults, frequently resulting in fractures, hospitalization, reduced mobility, diminished independence, and greater healthcare utilization.

Title:

Content: Exercise programs meant to prevent falls in seniors may also help prevent injuries caused by falls, according to a new review.

Fall-related injuries are common among seniors and a major cause of long-term pain and disability. They also increase the risk of having to go to a nursing home and have a high economic cost.

The new findings, published online Oct. 29 in the journal bmj.com, suggest that "reducing the risk of falling and improving protective responses during a fall may be an important and feasible means of preventing fractures and other serious injuries in the elderly," the study authors wrote in a journal news release.

Well-designed exercise programs can prevent falls in seniors living at home, but there is a lack of evidence on whether such programs can help prevent fall-related injuries, said French researchers Fabienne El-Khoury and colleagues.

In this review, they analyzed 17 studies that looked at whether fall-prevention exercises lowered seniors' risk of fractures and other injuries caused by falls. More than 4,000 participants were involved in all.

Tai Chi was the exercise in two of the studies, but most of them used gait, balance, strength and functional training, which involves workouts that help people do normal daily activities.

Most of the programs reduced fall-related injuries and appeared to significantly curb falls that lead to fractures, serious injuries and medical care.

Balance training was emphasized in all of the exercises that were effective in preventing falls, the researchers noted.

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about older adults and falls.

Latest videos

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

In the context of patients transitioning from long-term care facilities to home settings, targeted interventions to prevent falls and improve mobility are a cornerstone of occupational therapy practice.

Title:

Content: SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
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Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Guerra S, Ellmers T, Turabi R, Law M, Chauhan A, Milton-Cole R, Godfrey E, Sheehan KJ. Eur. Geriatr. Med. 2024; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1007/s41999-024-00936-9

PMID

38418713

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate factors contributing to concerns about falling and activity restriction in the community among older adults who had a hip fracture.

METHODS: A mixed method systematic review with a convergent segregated approach. We searched Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, PEDRo, CINAHL and the Cochrane library.

RESULTS were synthesised narratively considering physical, psychological, environmental, care, and social factors and presented in tables. Critical appraisal was completed in duplicate.

RESULTS: We included 19 studies (9 qualitative, 9 observational, 1 mixed methods) representing 1480 individuals and 23 factors related to concerns about falling and activity restriction. Physical factors included falls history, comorbidities, balance, strength, mobility and functionality. Psychological factors included anxiety and neuroticism scores, perceived confidence in/control over rehabilitation and abilities, and negative/positive affect about the orthopaedic trauma, pre-fracture abilities and future needs. Environmental factors included accessibility in the home, outdoors and with transport. Social and care factors related to the presence or absence of formal and informal networks, which reduced concerns and promoted activity by providing feedback, advice, encouragement, and practical support.

CONCLUSION: These findings highlight that to improve concerns about falling and activity restriction after hip fracture, it is important to: improve physical and functional abilities; boost self-confidence; promote positive affect; involve relatives and carers; increase access to clinicians, and; enhance accessibility of the home, outdoors and transport. Most factors were reported on by a small number of studies of varying quality and require replication in future research.

Language: en

Keywords

Activity avoidance; Balance confidence; Fear avoidance; Fear of falling; Fragility fracture

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Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese movement practice characterized by slow, flowing movements and sustained attention to posture and weight shifting, is often discussed as a non-pharmacological intervention with potential for fall prevention.

Title:

Content: Learn about the sport of Tai Chi
The German health centre says Tai Chi is a centuries-old Chinese martial art, also known as shadow boxing.
It combines physical training, self-defense and meditation.
The focus of Tai Chi is on body tightening, mental alertness and breathing, the center explained, noting that motor training consists of a series of traditional Chinese physical exercises that flow smoothly with each other in order to achieve harmony between body and soul.
Muscle and Joint Stimulation
In this way all the muscles, tendons, joints and bones are stimulated and stretched in a gentle way.
The upright position of the back during exercise creates a stretching effect in the spine, relieving pressure on the intervertebral discs.
The nervous system is also positively affected by the gentle posture of the back.
Studies have suggested that tai chi reduces the risk of falls in older adults thanks to its ability to improve their balance.
The sport also has a positive effect on degenerative arthritis, the symptoms of which are knee stiffness, pain and swelling.
Improve lung function
Tai chi is also beneficial for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as it improves lung function.
It is also useful for patients with Parkinson ’ s, which affects the nervous system and its symptoms are disorders of movement, tremor of the hands, stiffness and instability of the body position, where sports contribute to improving balance and mobility.
In addition, tai chi improves the cognitive functioning of the brain, making it also useful for dementia patients.
On the other hand, slow flowing movements have a relaxing and meditative effect, helping to feel relaxed, calm and psychologically comfortable.
Source: German

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

How does Tai Chi enhance balance and body coordination?

It incorporates a lot of weight shifting and deliberate walking into its routines.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

This report synthesizes relevant clinical evidence addressing the effectiveness of Tai Chi to reduce falls and improve physical stability, focusing particularly on older adults and those at higher risk during periods of care transition.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Multiple systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and expert guidelines support the use of Tai Chi to reduce fall risk and enhance mobility among older adults.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

A comprehensive review encompassing 17 studies and over 4,000 participants identified Tai Chi—when included as part of structured exercise programs focused on balance, gait, strength, and function—as a significant component in reducing fall-related injuries.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

Improved muscle strength
Improved balance

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

The analysis provided evidence that Tai Chi reduced not only overall fall rate, but also falls leading to fractures, serious injuries, or need for medical care, thus supporting its clinical relevance in populations where injury risk is a critical concern .

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Randomized controlled trials further clarify the impact of Tai Chi on physical and cognitive functions relevant to fall prevention.

Title:

Content: Lifestyle Interventions and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's and Dementia

— "Without any change, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease could more than double"

MedpageToday

Cognitive decline in Alzheimer's and other dementias may be delayed for some at-risk older adults, recent clinical trials have suggested.

The ACHIEVE study, for example, reported that hearing aids cut the rate of cognitive decline by 48% over 3 years in older adults who had a high risk of dementia. And in a randomized controlled trial of people with mild cognitive impairment or self-reported memory concerns, cognitively enhanced tai-chi led to improved global cognition scores.

"Currently, two-thirds of Americans have at least one major risk factor for dementia," said Heather Snyder, PhD, of the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago.

"The need for effective risk reduction strategies to help all communities grows larger by the day," Snyder stated. "Without any change, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease could more than double by mid-century."

In 2015, the FINGER study in Finland was the first randomized controlled trial to show it was possible to delay cognitive decline using a multidomain lifestyle intervention.

In the U.S., the POINTER study is evaluating multiple ways to protect cognition in 2,000 at-risk older adults. "Recruiting for the clinical trial was successfully completed in March 2023," Snyder said. "The study is expected to begin reporting results in summer 2025."

"U.S. POINTER community-based teams recruited nearly 30% of participants from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in research, including racially and ethnically minoritized individuals and those from rural areas," she added.

New Clinical Trial Data

About 40% of dementia cases may be prevented or delayed by modifying 12 risk factors, according to a 2020 report from the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care.

In the past year, several trials have shown that lifestyle interventions -- notably ones involving physical exercise or hearing aids -- could delay dementia onset. Two trials have combined exercise with a cognitive component, including a study of cognitively enhanced tai chi in older adults at risk for dementia, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

"Research has shown that both physical and mental activity may attenuate age-related declines in cognitive function and dual task activities, but combined physical and mental challenges may be more effective than either alone," said study co-author Peter Harmer, PhD, MPH, of the Oregon Research Institute in Eugene.

Cognitively enhanced tai chi was designed to synergistically stimulate neuroplasticity, Harmer noted. The regimen included an emphasis on performing properly despite an interfering mental or motor task, following instructions that required recalling names and detailed steps, and distinguishing correct from miscued instructions.

The study randomized older adults with mild cognitive impairment or self-reported memory concerns to stretching, standard tai chi, or cognitively enhanced tai chi for 1 hour semi-weekly for 24 weeks. The cognitively enhanced tai chi group outperformed other groups on improvements in both global cognition scores and dual-task performance while walking, with effects persisting at 48 weeks.

The SYNERGIC trial, published in JAMA Network Open, took a different approach to combining physical exercise and cognitive training. SYNERGIC randomized older adults with mild cognitive impairment to physical exercise with or without cognitive training and vitamin D supplementation for 20 weeks.

Overall, those who received aerobic-resistance exercises with sequential computerized cognitive training had improved cognition, but some results were inconsistent.

The multidomain intervention effect was larger than the improvement from exercise alone, reported Manuel Montero-Odasso, MD, PhD, of the Parkwood Institute in London, Ontario, and co-authors, and vitamin D supplementation showed no significant benefit. In several arms of the trial, cognitive improvements diminished slightly at 12 months, but did not revert to baseline levels.

Another intervention that showed promise was the use of hearing aids. Hearing loss is treatable in later life, which makes it an important public health target to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, noted Frank Lin, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues who reported the findings of the ACHIEVE trial in The Lancet.

ACHIEVE assigned participants to one of two interventions -- either hearing aids or a health education program. Both groups received follow-up visits every 6 months, and cognitive tests were conducted every year for 3 years.

The trial's main analysis showed no difference in the rate of change in cognitive functioning between the hearing aid group and the education group. In a pre-specified analysis of participants with high risk for future dementia, however, cognitive decline was reduced over 3 years in those assigned to wear hearing aids compared with those who received health education.

Policies to Help Reduce Cognitive Decline

Research about Alzheimer's and dementia risk factors is evolving, and Lancet Commission researcher Gill Livingston, MD, of the University College London in England, is optimistic that policymakers will continue to use new insights to help reduce global cognitive decline.

Since 2020, several countries have taken steps to address modifiable risk factors, Livingston noted. "U.S. policy has changed, and many countries and the World Health Organization have issued new policy documents," she said.

In the U.S., the 2023 update to the National Alzheimer's Project Act included new risk reduction strategies, Livingston pointed out. The CDC also extended its Healthy Brain Initiative program with state and local health officials.

An updated Lancet Commission report about dementia is under review and should be published this year, Livingston said.

Disclosures

Snyder had no conflicts of interest.

Harmer reported no conflicts of interest.

Livingston had no conflicts of interest.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

What study was included in trials combining excercise with a cognitive compoent?

Cognitively enhanced tai chi in older adults at risk for dementia.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

One trial specifically targeting older adults with mild cognitive impairment or memory concerns found that cognitively enriched Tai Chi, compared to standard Tai Chi or stretching, yielded greater improvements in global cognitive scores and dual-task walking performance.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What has a study that includes the cognitively enhanced Tai Chi found out?

The cognitively enhanced Tai Chi group outperformed other groups on improvements in global cognition scores.

The cognitively enhanced Tai Chi group outperformed other groups on improvements in dual-task performance while walking.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

What health advantages have been linked to regular practice of Tai Chi?

What study was included in trials combining excercise with a cognitive compoent?

Cognitively enhanced tai chi in older adults at risk for dementia.

These improvements are notable, since the capacity to maintain balance while performing concurrent cognitive or physical tasks is directly related to fall risk in the real-world home environment.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What has a study that includes the cognitively enhanced Tai Chi found out?

The cognitively enhanced Tai Chi group outperformed other groups on improvements in dual-task performance while walking.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease that may cause falls of elderly patients.

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

The intervention consisted of twice-weekly, one-hour sessions over a period of 24 weeks, and the benefits persisted up to 48 weeks post-baseline, indicating durable results .

The mechanism of Tai Chi’s benefit in fall prevention is attributed to several interconnected factors.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Physiologically, Tai Chi stimulates and stretches the muscles, tendons, joints, and bones through a series of low-impact, weight-bearing movements.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

Improved muscle strength
Improved flexibility

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What health advantages have been linked to regular practice of Tai Chi?

This activity gently enhances overall muscular strength, flexibility, and proprioception.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

Improved muscle strength
Improved flexibility

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

What health advantages have been linked to regular practice of Tai Chi?

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Furthermore, Tai Chi has unique effects on the nervous system that translate into improvements in the speed and coordination of balance recovery reactions.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What does Ruth Taylor-Piliae of University of Arizona's College of Nursin say about Tai Chi?

She tells NPR that Tai Chi's gentle, slow movements and controlled breathing tend to activate what's known as the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the body during times of stress.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

These factors combined underlie Tai Chi’s recognized role in strengthening both static and dynamic balance, as well as improving overall physical stability .

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Clinical guidelines and synthesized evidence strongly endorse Tai Chi as an effective modality for fall prevention.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease that may cause falls of elderly patients.

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Balance exercises, including Tai Chi, are repeatedly cited as core elements within multimodal fall-prevention programs.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Two high-quality studies specifically evaluated Tai Chi’s efficacy within such frameworks, confirming its positive effects on gait, balance, and fall reduction .

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease that may cause falls of elderly patients.

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

These findings align with broader exercise guidelines suggesting that programs combining strength, balance, and aerobic training—and which are sustained over extended periods—yield the most pronounced effects on walking endurance, gait speed, overall functional capacity, and quality of life in older adults .

Title:

Content: SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
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Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Pérez-Rodríguez M, Gutiérrez-Suárez A, Arias JR, Andreu-Caravaca L, Pérez-Tejero J. Phys. Ther. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.1093/ptj/pzac153

PMID

36336977

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this systematic review and meta-analyses were to evaluate the effects of exercise on the functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) of people with acquired brain injury (ABI) and to analyze the influence of training variables.

METHODS: Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SportDiscus, and Web of Science) were searched until October 2021 for clinical trials or experimental studies examining the effects of exercise on the functional capacity and QoL in adults with ABI and comparing exercise interventions to nonexercise (usual care).

RESULTS: Thirty eight studies were evaluated. A total sample of 2219 people with ABI (exercise, n = 1572; control, n = 647) were included in the quantitative analysis. A greater improvement was observed in walking endurance (z score = 2.84), gait speed (z score = 2.01), and QoL physical subscale (z score = 3.42) and QoL mental subscale (z score = 3.00) was observed in the experimental group than in the control group. In addition, an improvement was also observed in the experimental group in the "Timed "Up and Go" Test scores and balance, without differences with respect to the control group. Significant interactions were also observed between the rehabilitation phases, type, frequency, and volume of training, and overall effects.

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that exercise improves functional capacity and QoL regardless of model training, highlighting the effectiveness of long-term exercise that includes short sessions, with components such as strength, balance, and aerobic exercise.

Language: en

Keywords

Balance; Quality of Life; Stroke; Physical Endurance; Traumatic Brain Injuries

NEW SEARCH

All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

Improved muscle strength
Improved balance

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

Regarding the optimal “dose” of Tai Chi, evidence converges on a minimum threshold of one hour per session, delivered twice weekly, for a period extending at least 12 to 24 weeks.

How often should one practice Tai Chi to benefit from the exercise?

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

Notably, substantial improvements in mobility and balance have been documented with this frequency and duration, with positive effects observed to persist for months after program completion .

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

How often should one practice Tai Chi to benefit from the exercise?

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease that may cause falls of elderly patients.

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

These findings are clinically significant, suggesting that even moderate exposure—readily integrated into a standard outpatient or home-based rehabilitation plan—can yield protective benefits.

How often should one practice Tai Chi to benefit from the exercise?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Longer-term practice and engagement may further enhance durability of outcomes, especially for populations at ongoing risk.

How often should one practice Tai Chi to benefit from the exercise?

The target populations for Tai Chi–based interventions in the context of fall prevention are primarily older adults, particularly those with histories of previous falls, fear of falling, or recognized gait and balance deficits.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Accurate identification of high fall-risk individuals is essential; recurrent fallers (those with four or more falls in a recent period) represent a subgroup at markedly heightened risk and may benefit most from targeted Tai Chi and balance training .

Title:

Content: SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Wapp C, Mittaz Hager AG, Hilfiker R, Zysset P. Frontiers in aging 2022; 3: e1056779.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022)

DOI

10.3389/fragi.2022.1056779

PMID

36589140

PMCID

PMC9795055

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A third of adults aged 65 years and older fall every year, and falls are a common cause of unintentional injuries. Accurate identification of people at risk of falling is an important step in the implementation of preventive strategies.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the association of fall risk factors with number of reported falls in terms of incidence rate ratios and to develop a fall rate prediction model.

METHODS: In the randomized controlled trial Swiss CHEF, multiple fall risk variables were assessed in community-dwelling older adults at baseline examination, including age, sex, body mass index, fear of falling, number of falls during the prior 12 months, scores on several physical performance tests, comorbidities, and quality of life. Over the following 6 months, interventions were administered in the form of three home-based exercise programs. Participants were subsequently followed up for another 6 months. Falls were reported prospectively using monthly calendars. Incidence rate ratios were derived via negative binomial regression models. Variable selection for the prediction model was conducted using backward elimination and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method; the model with the smallest prediction error was then identified.

RESULTS: Associations with the number of reported falls were found for number of prior falls, fear of falling, balance and gait deficits, and quality of life. The final model was derived via backward elimination, and the predictors included were prior number of falls and a measure of fear of falling. Outcome: Number of prior falls and fear of falling can be used as predictors in a personalized fall rate estimate for community-dwelling older adults. Recurrent fallers having experienced four or more falls are especially at risk of falling again.

Language: en

Keywords

risk factors; older adults; prediction; falls; count regression

NEW SEARCH

All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Additionally, individuals transitioning from institutional care back to home settings often have evolving physical and cognitive challenges that are directly addressed by Tai Chi’s multicomponent approach.

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Beyond physical benefits, there is a growing recognition that Tai Chi also boosts confidence in balance and walking, reducing psychological barriers such as fear of falling—which itself influences risk.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

What health advantages have been linked to regular practice of Tai Chi?

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Occupational therapists can further amplify the effects by coupling Tai Chi with standard rehabilitation, environmental modifications, and family or caregiver support .

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

While the clinical evidence base for Tai Chi in fall prevention and mobility improvement is robust, some limitations merit mention.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Many trials to date have included community-dwelling older adults rather than those with severe frailty or advanced multimorbidity, so extrapolation to very high-risk institutional populations requires caution.

Adherence to longer-term programs is also a challenge, with participation dropping in less supported settings.

Additionally, the diversity of Tai Chi styles and instructor qualifications can influence outcomes, suggesting a need for standardized protocols in therapeutic settings.

In summary, Tai Chi offers a well-supported, low-risk, and practical intervention to reduce falls and improve mobility among older adults transitioning from long-term care facilities to their homes.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice?

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

High-quality reviews and randomized studies demonstrate significant reductions in falls and improvements in balance and functional capacity, with benefits most consistently observed with programs providing at least one hour of instruction twice a week for three to six months.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

How often should one practice Tai Chi to benefit from the exercise?

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What do orthopedic specialists say about the benefits of learning Tai Chi?

Excercises like the horse stance in Tai Chi that can help prevent falls.

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

The intervention’s effectiveness is attributed to its capacity to enhance muscular strength, proprioceptive acuity, neuromuscular coordination, and self-confidence.

Title:

Content: Video games are anti-aging!
Yangming Jiaotong University Research: Dance Machine Helps Elderly Cognitive Function
Journalist Li Qiwei / reporting from Taipei
Video games are really old!
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, together with the game industry and the Zhirong Foundation, launched a multi-year innovative research project of "game prevention". Today (28), released the results of two games of mahjong video games and somatosensory video games, and found that through the training of mahjong video games, elderly people feel that their judgment and reaction are gradually improved. Enhance the flexibility of the elderly ’ s limbs, and at the same time, there are significant improvements in cognitive function.
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In 2019, under the guidance of Acer founder Shih Chen-jung, Yangming Jiaotong University, along with game industry and the Chi Jung Foundation, launched a multi-year innovative research project called “Game Age-Prevention ”, which aims to help the elderly to exercise and exercise more, and activate their brains to reverse aging and prevent dementia.
Yangming Jiaotong University conducts cutting-edge research to prevent physical and mental aging, hoping to combine the development of the gaming industry, artificial intelligence and aging medicine to find a new solution for the aging of the global population.
The study was led by Chen Liang-kung, director of the Center for Health, Longevity and Aging at Yang Ming Chiao University and director of the Taipei Municipal Kuandu Hospital.
Chen Liang-kung said that Taiwan has officially become an aging society since 2018. How to turn aging, prevent disability and dementia into a key global issue in the future. It has dropped by about 20%, which means that Taiwan still has a lot of work to do before the development of drugs.
He points out that this time using Mahjong video games and somatosensory video games (dancing machines), the two studies were designed using the highest level of medical research, using randomized clinical trials to recruit a group of elderly people, randomly assigned experimental groups and control groups, not only to play games, do questionnaires, qualitative interviews, and many body measurements, and compare brain magnetic resonance (MRI). Imaging, want to understand the elderly after a period of video game stimulation, what changes in the brain structure, whether to help the brain aging in the future.
The study found that through mahjong video game training, the elderly feel that their judgment and response are gradually improved, not only in psychological toughness and daily health score, but also responsible for the brain for advanced visual processing, especially color recognition, text recognition, face recognition of the shuttle loop (Temporal Fusiform Cortex) has significantly improved.
According to Tong Hengxin, mahjong video games improve the mental toughness and daily health of the elderly. Through qualitative interviews, the elderly believe that mahjong video games can improve physical and mental strength, and under the specially designed walking reward mechanism, they slowly build up the habit of walking in life, and feel the care of others in the video game network.
But video games are programmed to let the elderly feel out of control in the process of winning and losing, which affects their mood and willingness to use; when the elderly transition from Mahjong video games to real Mahjong, the complexity of real Mahjong and the loss of money make the elderly begin to examine the difference between the two.
Another study found that the unique whole-body activity design of somatosensory games not only improved the physical flexibility of the elderly, but also had a positive impact on the brain. At the same time, there was a significant improvement in cognitive function, and improved in the insula area of the brain involved in sensory processing, emotional processing, attention processing, etc., and cerebellum involved in motor control, attention and cognition related activities.
Tong Hengxin said that somatosensory games improve the accuracy of mental toughness, daily health conditions and dance movements of the elderly, and reduce the degree of demoralization. Through qualitative interviews, the elderly think that physical and mental changes are "very sensitive", feel physiological functions, physical flexibility, brain power, and positive emotions have been significantly improved, and can expand interpersonal relationships and contact with new things.
According to Tong Hengxin, motion sensing games are not limited by time and space, and are suitable for the elderly to play games with intensity, so that they do not feel burdened by age.
Chen Liang-kung said that to maintain the quality of life in old age depends on the effective accumulation of daily life. Although it is a cliche, it is more necessary to practice specific practice. How to avoid the three-minute heat and maintain the habit of maintaining the habit becomes a big problem.
He believes that the lifestyle after retirement is mostly random and no specific time planning, and the video game itself is not limited by time, place, environment and climate, and its beginning and end can be freely carried out at any time, so that the elderly can not only get fun, challenging and fulfilling in the game, but also promote the nervous system movement through video games, increasing attention, movement coordination ability and precision.
Using the results of this research, how to continue training through different carriers is also a new opportunity for the industry.
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For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

For occupational therapists, integrating Tai Chi into multimodal rehabilitation and fall-prevention strategies represents an evidence-based and feasible practice, with adaptability to a wide range of physical and cognitive starting points in the older adult population.

For which group is Tai Chi beneficial to?

It is very helpful for anyone looking to improve their stability.

What are some of the health benefit of Tai Chi according to Harvard Health?

What benefits does Tai Chi haves for healthy aging?

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like stability.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like mobility.

It helps to improve factors linked to a longer life like balance.

What did some studies show about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It limits the danger of falls among the elderly.

It improves the balance of older people.

What excercises shall aid in Alzheimer's and dementia prevention?

What have studies shown about Tai Chi's health benefit?

It can effectively improve the movement symptoms that may cause falls of elderly patients.

What study was included in trials combining excercise with a cognitive compoent?

Cognitively enhanced tai chi in older adults at risk for dementia.

Why did the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention advise elderly people to practice Tai Chi?

Because it can prevent falls that may result in fracture.

Continued research into program adherence, the impact in severely impaired populations, and strategies to optimize community-based delivery will further clarify and strengthen recommendations moving forward.