Tai chi helps the elderly with falling? Not so fast,

[Why Syzygy]

Tai Chi for the Elderly
Monday February 2, 2009
Tai chi helps the elderly with falling? Not so fast, says a Reuters report study that took place in the Netherlands.

Going off of past ambivalent reports of how helpful tai chi is with the elderly who are prone to falling, researchers followed 138 elders, who took tai chi for an hour twice a week for 11 weeks. Tai chi is a slow-moving Chinese martial art that is said to improve balance, strength and endurance. For study participants, though, of the 138 elders enrolled in the classes, 115 falls occurred compared to 91 falls for another 131 elders who didn’t take tai chi at all. Beyond balance, researchers say, “The investigators also found no between group differences in balance, fear of falling, physical activity level or functional status.” Consequently, it was concluded that “tai chi chuan is limited in preventing falls among home-living elderly at high risk for falling.”

One aspect of this study that I find problematic is the study duration: 11 weeks. I would be interested in knowing how elderly people, who have practiced tai chi as a lifestyle, meaning they have been practicing tai chi as a part of their lives for years, would fare in this study. In some ways, this study seems akin to the weight watcher who begins a new exercise routine, twice a week for an hour, and then quits after about two months (not so far from 11 weeks). How effective would that exercise regimen be? Most healthcare providers advise that exercise, for example, be observed four to five times a week. These days, any individual practicing any type of exercise for just two days a week is unlikely to see much of a difference in any aspect of their lives. I think this study has a limited scope and followed the participants for too short of a time.

Finally, unless it is known how people who practice tai chi throughout their lifetimes manage with balance, I think it is improbable to really know what is the true benefit of tai chi.
(added paragraph breaks)
http://altmedicine.about.com/b/2009/02/02/tai-chi-for-the-elderly.htm

[Quantess]

1. Chai tea isn't helpful, either.

[marybourg]

2. My husband had a hemorrhagic stroke and was up and

doing his tai chi 5 days later, even the moves with 1 foot off the ground, even though he actually couldn't *walk* all that well; his brain still had the tai chi down pat. The hospital staff was amazed and the rehab dept was so impressed several signed up for classes with my husband's then-teacher. He's been taking tai chi on and off for about 20 years, sometimes practicing a lot, sometimes not for months. He has done both shu' and chuan.

[Why Syzygy]

3. Tai Chi is a lot harder than it looks.

I would be interested in a longer study, although that doesn't have to happen to begin practice.
I remember hearing about the Tai Chi suggestion last summer, after I had taken a couple of falls down stairs. Not fun.

[hedgehog]

4. I would guess that a combination of Tai Chi and defensive practices would help.

I'm assuming the Tai Chi makes you more aware of where your body is and what it is doing, so you are aware of losing your balance before you lose control. Anything that strengthens muscles in the elderly has to help, too. Defensive living would include tactics such as always using the stair rail, slip-proofing your bath tub, getting rid of throw rugs, etc.

[Why Syzygy]

5. I think every bathtub/shower should have a hand rail.

Those are some of the worst falls.

[HamdenRice]

6. You're right about Tai Chi as a lifestyle. It's amazing to see it

When you travel to China, if you get up very early in the morning you will see thousands of elderly people performing tai chi together.

It's definitely not about an 11 week course.