Effects of a video guided T'ai Chi group intervention on center of balance and falls efficacy: a pilot study

Abstract

This pilot study evaluated effects of a video-guided T'ai Chi group intervention on center of balance (COB) and falls efficacy, using a one arm, pre/post design. Thirty-two participants began the study, 17 completed pre- and post-testing and 15 were lost to follow-up. Outcomes were compared for the 17 participants who completed pre- and post-testing and subgroups based on session attendance. Irrespective of session attendance, participant COB scores improved. There was a significant negative correlation between number of sessions attended and pre and post scores on the fall efficacy (fear of falling) measure, indicating those with higher fear of falling were less likely to complete the study. Older participants were also less likely to continue participation. Findings indicate potential benefits of T'ai Chi in improving COB (a fall risk factor) among community-dwelling older adults. However, those with greater potential benefit (higher fear scores, older participants) were less likely to continue participation.

Keywords: Center of balance; Fall prevention; Falls efficacy; Older adult; T'ai Chi.

Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Fig. 1.

Number of participants who were screened, enrolled, completed the study and lost to follow-up.

Fig. 2.

Comparison of average Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) scores pre and post-intervention. Possible range for FES-I scores are 16e64. Participants who completed ≤7 sessions had higher FES-I scores initially (more fear of falling) than those who completed ≤12 sessions. Scores were unchanged for participants who completed ≥12 sessions and lower, but not significantly, for those who completed ≤7 sessions.