Impact of tai chi chu'an practice on balance and mobility in older adults: An integrative review of 20 years of research

Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy

Volumn 37, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 127-135

  Hackney, Madeleine E ^a,b,c   Wolf, Steven L ^a,c  

^a Atlanta Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research Development Center of Excellence for Visual Neurocognitive Rehabilitation   (Germany)

^b Education and Clinical Center   (Germany)

^c EMORY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE   (United States)

Author keywords

Exercise; Falls; Mechanisms; Older adults; Tai chi

Indexed keywords

AGED; BODY EQUILIBRIUM; COGNITION; DAILY LIFE ACTIVITY; FALLING; GAIT; HUMAN; PHYSIOLOGY; PREVENTION AND CONTROL; TAI CHI; WALKING; WALKING DIFFICULTY;

ACCIDENTAL FALLS; ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING; AGED; COGNITION; GAIT; HUMANS; MOBILITY LIMITATION; POSTURAL BALANCE; TAI JI; WALKING;

EID: 84904200399     PISSN: 15398412     EISSN: 21520895     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1519/JPT.0b013e3182abe784     Document Type: Review

References (95)

1. Hausdorff JM, Rios DA, Edelberg HK . Gait variability and fall risk in community-living older adults: A 1-year prospective study . Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2001 ; 82 (8): 1050-1056
2. Gillespie LD, Gillespie WJ, Robertson MC, Lamb SE, Cumming RG, Rowe BH . Interventions for preventing falls in elderly people . Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2009 ; 15 (2): CD000340
3. Rubenstein LZ, Josephson KR . The epidemiology of falls and syncope . Clin Geriatr Med. 2002 ; 18 (2): 141-158
4. Rogers MW, Mille ML . Lateral stability and falls in older people . Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2003 ; 31 (4): 182-187
5. Judge JO . Balance training to maintain mobility and prevent disability . Am J Prev Med . 2003 ; 25 (3)(suppl 2): 150-156
6. Buatois S, Gauchard GC, Aubry C, Benetos A, Perrin P . Current physical activity improves balance control during sensory confl icting conditions in older adults . Int J Sports Med. 2007 ; 28 (1): 53-58
7. Yeom HA, Keller C, Fleury J . Interventions for promoting mobility in community-dwelling older adults . J Am Acad Nurse Pract . 2009 ; 21 (2): 95-100
8. Paterson DH, Jones GR, Rice CL . Ageing and physical activity: evidence to develop exercise recommendations for older adults . Can J Public Health . 2007 ; 98 (suppl 2): S69-108
9. Clemson L, Fiatarone Singh MA, Bundy A, et al. Integration of balance and strength training into daily life activity to reduce rate of falls in older people (the LiFE study): Randomised parallel trial . Br Med J. 2012 ; 345 : e4547
10. Hirsch MA, Toole T, Maitland CG, Rider RA . The effects of balance training and high-intensity resistance training on persons with idiopathic Parkinson's disease . Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2003 ; 84 (8): 1109-1117
11. Hong Y, Li JX, Robinson PD . Balance control, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness among older tai chi practitioners . Br J Sports Med. 2000 ; 34 (1): 29-34
12. Wolf SL, Kutner NG, Green RC, McNeely E . The Atlanta FICSIT study: Two exercise interventions to reduce frailty in elders . J Am Geriatr Soc. 1993 ; 41 (3): 329-332
13. Wolf SL, Barnhart HX, Kutner NG, McNeely E, Coogler C, Xu T . Reducing frailty and falls in older persons: An investigation of Tai Chi and computerized balance training. Atlanta FICSIT Group. Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques . J Am Geriatr Soc. 1996 ; 44 (5): 489-497
14. Wolf SL, Barnhart HX, Kutner NG, McNeely E, Coogler C, Xu T . Selected as the best paper in the 1990s: Reducing frailty and falls in older persons: An investigation of tai chi and computerized balance training . J Am Geriatr Soc . 2003 ; 51 (12): 1794-803
15. Rand D, Miller WC, Yiu J, Eng JJ . Interventions for addressing low balance confi dence in older adults: A systematic review and meta-Analysis . Age Ageing . 2011 ; 40 (3): 297-306
16. Schaller KJ . Tai Chi Chih: An exercise option for older adults . J Gerontol Nurs . 1996 ; 22 (10): 12-17
17. Wolfson L, Whipple R, Derby C, et al. Balance and strength training in older adults: intervention gains and Tai Chi maintenance . J Am Geriatr Soc . 1996 ; 44 (5): 498-506
18. Ross MC, Bohannon AS, Davis DC, Gurchiek L . The effects of a short-term exercise program on movement, pain, and mood in the elderly. Results of a pilot study . J Holist Nurs . 1999 ; 17 (2): 139-147
19. Kutner NG, Barnhart H, Wolf SL, McNeely E, Xu T . Self-report benefi ts of Tai Chi practice by older adults . J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci . 1997 ; 52 (5): P242-P246
20. Wolf SL, Barnhart HX, Ellison GL, Coogler CE . The effect of Tai Chi Quan and computerized balance training on postural stability in older subjects. Atlanta FICSIT Group. Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies on Intervention Techniques . Phys Ther. 1997 ; 77 (4): 371-384
21. Nguyen MH, Kruse A . A randomized controlled trial of Tai chi for balance, sleep quality and cognitive performance in elderly Vietnamese . Clin Interv Aging . 2012 ; 7 (1): 185-190
22. Takeshima N, Rogers NL, Rogers ME, Islam MM, Koizumi D, Lee S . Functional fitness gain varies in older adults depending on exercise mode . Med Sci Sports Exerc . 2007 ; 39 (11): 2036-2043
23. Taylor D, Hale L, Schluter P, et al. Effectiveness of tai chi as a communitybased falls prevention intervention: A randomized controlled trial . J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012 ; 60 (5): 841-848
24. Voukelatos A, Cumming RG, Lord SR, Rissel C . A randomized, controlled trial of tai chi for the prevention of falls: The Central Sydney tai chi trial . J Am Geriatr Soc . 2007 ; 55 (8): 1185-1191
25. Huang HC, Liu CY, Huang YT, Kernohan WG . Community-based interventions to reduce falls among older adults in Taiwan-long time followup randomised controlled study . J Clin Nurs. 2010 ; 19 (7-8): 959-968
26. Li F, Harmer P, Fisher KJ, McAuley E . Tai Chi: improving functional balance and predicting subsequent falls in older persons . Med Sci Sports Exerc . 2004 ; 36 (12): 2046-2052
27. Li F, Harmer P, Fisher KJ, et al. Tai Chi and fall reductions in older adults: A randomized controlled trial . J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2005 ; 60 (2): 187-194
28. Qin L, Choy W, Leung K, et al. Benefi cial effects of regular Tai Chi exercise on musculoskeletal system . J Bone Miner Metab . 2005 ; 23 (2): 186-190
29. Audette JF, Jin YS, Newcomer R, Stein L, Duncan G, Frontera WR . Tai Chi versus brisk walking in elderly women . Age Ageing . 2006 ; 35 (4): 388-393
30. Jones AY, Dean E, Scudds RJ . Effectiveness of a community-based Tai Chi program and implications for public health initiatives . Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2005 ; 86 (4): 619-625
31. Wu G . Evaluation of the effectiveness of Tai Chi for improving balance and preventing falls in the older population-A review . J Am Geriatr Soc . 2002 ; 50 (4): 746-754
32. Wang C, Collet JP, Lau J . The effect of Tai Chi on health outcomes in patients with chronic conditions: A systematic review . Arch Intern Med . 2004 ; 164 (5): 493-501
33. Verhagen AP, Immink M, van der Meulen A, Bierma-Zeinstra SM . The effi cacy of Tai Chi Chuan in older adults: A systematic review . Fam Pract . 2004 ; 21 (1): 107-113
34. Wayne PM, Krebs DE, Wolf SL, et al. Can Tai Chi improve vestibulopathic postural control? Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2004 ; 85 (1): 142-152
35. Maciaszek J, Osinski W . The effects of Tai Chi on body balance in elderly people-A review of studies from the early 21st century . Am J Chin Med . 2010 ; 38 (2): 219-229
36. Zijlstra GA, van Haastregt JC, van Rossum E, van Eijk JT, Yardley L, Kempen GI . Interventions to reduce fear of falling in community-living older people: A systematic review . J Am Geriatr Soc . 2007 ; 55 (4): 603-615
37. Lee MS, Ernst E . Systematic reviews of t'ai chi: An overview . Br J Sports Med . 2012 ; 46 (10): 713-718
38. Logghe IH, Verhagen AP, Rademaker AC, et al. The effects of Tai Chi on fall prevention, fear of falling and balance in older people: A meta-Analysis . Prev Med. 2010 ; 51 (3-4): 222-227
39. Leung DP, Chan CK, Tsang HW, Tsang WW, Jones AY . Tai chi as an intervention to improve balance and reduce falls in older adults: A systematic and meta-Analytical review . Altern Ther Health Med . 2011 ; 17 (1): 40-48
40. Pluchino A, Lee SY, Asfour S, Roos BA, Signorile JF . Pilot study comparing changes in postural control after training using a video game balance board program and 2 standard activity-based balance intervention programs . Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2012 ; 93 (7): 1138-1146
41. Wong AM, Chou SW, Huang SC, et al. Does different exercise have the same effect of health promotion for the elderly? Comparison of training-specifi c effect of Tai Chi and swimming on motor control . Arch Gerontol Geriatr . 2011 ; 53 (2): e133-e137
42. Sattin RW, Easley KA, Wolf SL, Chen Y, Kutner MH . Reduction in fear of falling through intense tai chi exercise training in older, transitionally frail adults . J Am Geriatr Soc . 2005 ; 53 (7): 1168-1178
43. Zhang JG, Ishikawa-Takata K, Yamazaki H, Morita T, Ohta T . The effects of Tai Chi Chuan on physiological function and fear of falling in the less robust elderly: An intervention study for preventing falls . Arch Gerontol Geriatr . 2006 ; 42 (2): 107-116
44. Nomura T, Nagano K, Takato J, Ueki S, Matsuzaki Y, Yasumura S . The development of a Tai Chi exercise regimen for the prevention of conditions requiring long-term care in Japan . Arch Gerontol Geriatr . 2011 ; 52 (3): e198-e203
45. Chen KM, Lin JN, Lin HS, et al. The effects of a Simplifi ed Tai-Chi Exercise Program (STEP) on the physical health of older adults living in long-term care facilities: A single group design with multiple time points . Int J Nurs Stud . 2008 ; 45 (4): 501-507
46. Choi JH, Moon JS, Song R . Effects of Sun-style Tai Chi exercise on physical fitness and fall prevention in fall-prone older adults . J Adv Nurs . 2005 ; 51 (2): 150-157
47. Lin MR, Hwang HF, Wang YW, Chang SH, Wolf SL . Community-based tai chi and its effect on injurious falls, balance, gait, and fear of falling in older people . Phys Ther. 2006 ; 86 (9): 1189-1201
48. Tousignant M, Corriveau H, Roy PM, Desrosiers J, Dubuc N, Hebert R . Effi cacy of supervised Tai Chi exercises versus conventional physical therapy exercises in fall prevention for frail older adults: A randomized controlled trial . Disabil Rehabil . 2013 ; 35 (17): 1429-1435
49. Field T, Diego M, Delgado J, Medina L . Tai chi/yoga reduces prenatal depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances . Complement Ther Clin Pract . 2013 ; 19 (1): 6-10
50. Wang R, Liu J, Chen P, Yu D . Regular tai chi exercise decreases the percentage of type 2 cytokine-producing cells in postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer survivors . Cancer Nurs. 2013 ; 36 (4): E27-E34
51. Ling KW, Wong FS, Chan WK, et al. Effect of a home exercise program based on tai chi in patients with end-stage renal disease . Perit Dial Int . 2003 ; 23 (suppl 2): S99-S103
52. Ho RT, Au Yeung FS, Lo PH, et al. Tai-chi for residential patients with schizophrenia on movement coordination, negative symptoms, and functioning: A pilot randomized controlled trial [published online ahead of print November 24, 2012] . Evid Based Complement Alternat Med . http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC3524789 . Accessed August 20, 2013
53. Taylor-Piliae RE, Haskell WL, Stotts NA, Froelicher ES . Improvement in balance, strength, and flexibility after 12 weeks of Tai chi exercise in ethnic Chinese adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors . Altern Ther Health Med. 2006 ; 12 (2): 50-58
54. Chen EW, Fu AS, Chan KM, Tsang WW . The effects of Tai Chi on the balance control of elderly persons with visual impairment: A randomised clinical trial . Age Ageing . 2012 ; 41 (2): 254-259
55. Wu G, Liu W, Hitt J, Millon D . Spatial, temporal and muscle action patterns of Tai Chi gait . J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2004 ; 14 (3): 343-354
56. Mao DW, Li JX, Hong Y . The duration and plantar pressure distribution during one-leg stance in Tai Chi exercise . Clin Biomech . 2006 ; 21 (6): 640-645
57. Wong SH, Ji T, Hong Y, Fok SL, Wang L . Foot forces induced through tai chi push-hand exercises . J Appl Biomech. 2013 ; 29 (4): 395-404
58. Tsang WW, Wong VS, Fu SN, Hui-Chan CW . Tai Chi improves standing balance control under reduced or confl icting sensory conditions . Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2004 ; 85 (1): 129-137
59. Tsang WW, Hui-Chan CW . Sensorimotor control of balance: A Tai Chi solution for balance disorders in older subjects . Med Sport Sci. 2008 ; 52 (1): 104-114
60. Tsang WW, Hui-Chan CW . Standing balance after vestibular stimulation in Tai Chi-practicing and nonpracticing healthy older adults . Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2006 ; 87 (4): 546-553
61. Wong AM, Pei YC, Lan C, Huang SC, Lin YC, Chou SW . Is Tai Chi Chuan effective in improving lower limb response time to prevent backward falls in the elderly? Age . 2009 ; 31 (2): 163-170
62. Tsang WW, Hui-Chan CW . Comparison of muscle torque, balance, and confi dence in older tai chi and healthy adults . Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005 ; 37 (2): 280-289
63. Tsang WW, Hui-Chan CW . Effects of tai chi on joint proprioception and stability limits in elderly subjects . Med Sci Sports Exerc . 2003 ; 35 (12): 1962-1971
64. Gyllensten AL, Hui-Chan CW, Tsang WW . Stability limits, single-leg jump, and body awareness in older Tai Chi practitioners . Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2010 ; 91 (2): 215-220
65. Xu D, Hong Y, Li J, Chan K . Effect of tai chi exercise on proprioception of ankle and knee joints in old people . Br J Sports Med . 2004 ; 38 (1): 50-54
66. Fong SM, Ng GY . The effects on sensorimotor performance and balance with Tai Chi training . Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2006 ; 87 (1): 82-87
67. Guan H, Koceja DM . Effects of long-term tai chi practice on balance and H-reflex characteristics . Am J Chin Med . 2011 ; 39 (2): 251-260
68. Ramachandran AK, Rosengren KS, Yang Y, Hsiao-Wecksler ET . Effect of Tai Chi on gait and obstacle crossing behaviors in middle-Aged adults . Gait Posture . 2007 ; 26 (2): 248-255
69. Mourey F, Brondel L, Van Wymelbeke V, Buchheit M, Moreau D, Pfi tzenmeyer P . Assessment of cardiac autonomic nervous activity in frail elderly people with postural abnormalities and in control subjects . Arch Gerontol Geriatr . 2009 ; 48 (1): 121-124
70. Lu WA, Kuo CD . The effect of Tai Chi Chuan on the autonomic nervous modulation in older persons . Med Sci Sports Exerc . 2003 ; 35 (12): 1972-1976
71. Wolf SL, O'Grady M, Easley KA, Guo Y, Kressig RW, Kutner M . The influence of intense Tai Chi training on physical performance and hemodynamic outcomes in transitionally frail, older adults . J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci . 2006 ; 61 (2): 184-189
72. Yun WH, Min SW, Huh J, Ro YJ, Kim CS . Autonomic changes in preoperative uncomplicated diabetic patients with postural changes . J Int Med Res . 2010 ; 38 (5): 1764-1771
73. Wu G . Age-related differences in Tai Chi gait kinematics and leg muscle electromyography: A pilot study . Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2008 ; 89 (2): 351-357
74. Hass CJ, Gregor RJ, Waddell DE, et al. The influence of Tai Chi training on the center of pressure trajectory during gait initiation in older adults . Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2004 ; 85 (10): 1593-1598
75. McGibbon CA, Krebs DE, Parker SW, Scarborough DM, Wayne PM, Wolf SL . Tai Chi and vestibular rehabilitation improve vestibulopathic gait via different neuromuscular mechanisms: preliminary report . BMC Neurol . 2005 ; 5 (1): 3
76. Yang Y, Verkuilen JV, Rosengren KS, Grubisich SA, Reed MR, Hsiao- Wecksler ET . Effect of combined Taiji and Qigong training on balance mechanisms: A randomized controlled trial of older adults . Med Sci Monit . 2007 ; 13 (8): 339-348
77. Leung ES, Tsang WW . Comparison of the kinetic characteristics of standing and sitting Tai Chi forms . Disabil Rehabil . 2008 ; 30 (25): 1891-900
78. McGibbon CA . Toward a better understanding of gait changes with age and disablement: neuromuscular adaptation . Exerc Sport Sci Rev . 2003 ; 31 (2): 102-108
79. Gatts SK, Woollacott MH . Neural mechanisms underlying balance improvement with short term Tai Chi training . Aging Clin Exp Res . 2006 ; 18 (1): 7-19
80. Gatts SK, Woollacott MH . How Tai Chi improves balance: biomechanics of recovery to a walking slip in impaired seniors . Gait Posture. 2007 ; 25 (2): 205-214
81. Chen YS, Zhou S, Cartwright C . Effect of 12 weeks of Tai Chi training on soleus Hoffmann reflex and control of static posture in older adults . Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2011 ; 92 (6): 886-891
82. Montero-Odasso M, Verghese J, Beauchet O, Hausdorff JM . Gait and cognition: A complementary approach to understanding brain function and the risk of falling . J Am Geriatr Soc . 2012 ; 60 (11): 2127-2136
83. Mirelman A, Herman T, Brozgol M, et al. Executive function and falls in older adults: new fi ndings from a fi ve-year prospective study link fall risk to cognition . PLoS One. 2012 ; 7 (6): e40297
84. Lam LC, Chau RC, Wong BM, et al. A 1-year randomized controlled trial comparing mind body exercise (Tai Chi) with stretching and toning exercise on cognitive function in older Chinese adults at risk of cognitive decline . J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2012 ; 13 (6): 568.e15-568.e20
85. Taylor-Piliae RE, Newell KA, Cherin R, Lee MJ, King AC, Haskell WL . Effects of Tai Chi and Western exercise on physical and cognitive functioning in healthy community-dwelling older adults . J Aging Phys Act. 2010 ; 18 (3): 261-279
86. Wu G . Biomechanical characteristics of stepping in older Tai Chi practitioners . Gait Posture . 2012 ; 36 (3): 361-366
87. Hall CD, Miszko T, Wolf SL . Effects of Tai Chi intervention on dual-task ability in older adults: A pilot study . Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 2009 ; 90 (3): 525-529
88. Tousignant M, Corriveau H, Roy PM, et al. The effect of supervised Tai Chi intervention compared to a physiotherapy program on fall-related clinical outcomes: A randomized clinical trial . Disabil Rehabil . 2012 ; 34 (3): 196-201
89. Nnodim JO, Strasburg D, Nabozny M, et al. Dynamic balance and stepping versus tai chi training to improve balance and stepping in at-risk older adults . J Am Geriatr Soc . 2006 ; 54 (12): 1825-1831
90. Woo J, Hong A, Lau E, Lynn H . A randomised controlled trial of Tai Chi and resistance exercise on bone health, muscle strength and balance in community-living elderly people . Age Ageing . 2007 ; 36 (3): 262-268
91. Logghe IH, Zeeuwe PE, Verhagen AP, et al. Lack of effect of Tai Chi Chuan in preventing falls in elderly people living at home: A randomized clinical trial . J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009 ; 57 (1): 70-75
92. Liu H, Frank A . Tai chi as a balance improvement exercise for older adults: A systematic review . J Geriatr Phys Ther . 2010 ; 33 (3): 103-109
93. Frick KD, Kung JY, Parrish JM, Narrett MJ . Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of fall prevention programs that reduce fall-related hip fractures in older adults . J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010 ; 58 (1): 136-141
94. Merom D, Pye V, Macniven R, et al. Prevalence and correlates of participation in fall prevention exercise/physical activity by older adults . Prev Med . 2012 ; 55 (6): 613-617
95. Kohler A, Kressig RW, Schindler C, Granacher U . Adherence rate in intervention programs for the promotion of physical activity in older adults: A systematic literature review . Praxis . 2012 ; 101 (24): 1535-1547