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Park and Song: Effects of Tai Chi on Fall Risk Factors: A Meta-Analysis
Original Article

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2013; 43(3): 341-351.

Published online: 28 June 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2013.43.3.341

Effects of Tai Chi on Fall Risk Factors: A Meta-Analysis

Moonkyoung Park, Rhayun Song

College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Song, Rhayun. College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, 266 Munhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-747, Korea. Tel: +82-42-580-8331, Fax: +82-42-580-8309, songry@cnu.ac.kr

Received 7 December 2012       Accepted 13 March 2013

© 2013 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

This study was done to analyze the effects of Tai Chi on fall-related risk factors through meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials published in English and Korean between 2000 and 2010.

Methods

Using health related database and hand search of references and Google, 28 randomized studies were collected from doctoral dissertation and published peer reviewed articles. The Comprehensive Meta-analysis version 2.0 was used for the analysis.

Results

The effect sizes for Tai Chi for 3 months were significant with ES=0.54 for static balance, ES=0.24 for dynamic balance, ES=0.69 for balance measured by scale, and ES=0.40 for flexibility, ES=0.48 for muscle strength, ES=0.71 for ADL, and ES=0.37 for fear of falling. Also, the effect sizes of Tai Chi for 6 months were significant for most fall-related variables. The 6 month data for flexibility was not analyzed since only one study was published.

Conclusion

The analysis of studies of randomized clinical trials indicate that Tai Chi is effective in improving balance, flexibility, muscle strength, activities of daily living, and fear of falling when applied for 3 or 6 months. The findings provide the objective evidence to apply Tai Chi as a fall preventive intervention.

Keywords: Tai Chi, Meta-analysis, Fall, Risk factors

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Analysis framework of Tai Chi for fall risk factors.
jkan-43-341-g001
Figure 2
Flow diagram of study selection process.
jkan-43-341-g002
Table 1
Characteristics of Included Studies in Meta-Analysis: Tai Chi for Fall Risk Factors
jkan-43-341-i001

FE=Frail elderly; HE=Healthy elderly; OA=Osteoarthritis; AS=Ankylosing spondylitis; BBS=Berg balance scale; FRT=Functional reach test; OLS=One leg stance; POMA=Performance oriented mobility assessment; PPS=Physical performance scale; TS=Tandem stance; TUG=Timed up and go test; ROM=Range of motion; ADL=Activities of daily living; FAS=Functional ability scale; GARS=Groningen activity restriction scale; HAQ=Health assessment questionnaire; OARS=Older American resource survey; WOMAC=Western Ontario and McMaster University osteoarthritis index questionnaire; ABC=Activities-specific balance confidence scale; FES=Fall efficacy scale; SAFFE=Survey of activities and fear of falling in the elderly; MS=Muscle strength; Italic=No report about method of random assignment.

Table 2
Effect Size of 3 and 6 Months Tai Chi Exercise for Fall Risk Factors
jkan-43-341-i002

*Random effect model; AS=Asymmetric; S=Symmetric.

Notes

This manuscript is a condensed form of the first author's doctoral dissertation from Chungnam National University.

This study was supported by the research assistance fund of Korean Society of Adult Nursing in 2010.

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