Tai Chi

Background: Compared to same age healthy adults, stroke survivors experience 7 times as many falls annually. Such falls often cause hip or other fractures, loss of mobility, and increased fear of falling resulting in social isolation and/or dependence. Effective interventions for preventing falls among stroke survivors are critically needed. Tai Chi exercise has been shown to significantly reduce the number of falls in healthy older adults.

Background: Physical activity reduces recurrent stroke risk, yet suitable community-based programs are lacking. Tai Chi (TC) and SilverSneakers® (SS) can be easily adapted for persons with disabilities. TC integrates physical movements with mindfulness, while SS focuses on strength and range of movement.

Purpose: To examine the effects of TC and SS interventions on physical functioning compared to Usual Care (UC).

Objective: Examine the safety and feasibility of a 12-week Tai Chi intervention among stroke survivors.

Design: Two-group, prospective pilot study with random allocation.

Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation facility.

Subjects: Stroke survivors ≥50 years and at ≥three months post-stroke.

OBJECTIVE: Examine the safety and feasibility of a 12-week Tai Chi intervention among stroke survivors.

DESIGN: Two-group, prospective pilot study with random allocation.

SETTING: Outpatient rehabilitation facility.

SUBJECTS: Stroke survivors ≥50 years and at ≥three months post-stroke.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation improves physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning, yet services are greatly underutilized with increasing patterns of attrition over time. Tai Chi has been suggested as a possible adjunct to cardiac rehabilitation exercise training.

Aim: To describe differences in physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning among adults ≥ 45 years old attending phase III cardiac rehabilitation, who have or have not self-selected Tai Chi exercise as an adjunct physical activity.

 OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of Tai Chi (TC, n = 37) and Western exercise (WE, n = 39) with an attention-control group (C, n = 56) on physical and cognitive functioning in healthy adults age 69 +/- 5.8 yr, in a 2-phase randomized trial.
METHODS: TC and WE involved combined class and home-based protocols. Physical functioning included balance, strength, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory endurance. Cognitive functioning included semantic fluency and digit-span tests. Data were analyzed using intention-to-treat analysis.

According to reported global estimates, 15 million people suffer from a stroke each year, resulting in 5.5 million deaths, with 5 million left permanently disabled. Typical disabilities following stroke include poor neuromuscular control, hemodynamic imbalance, and negative mood state. Tai Chi (TC) is associated with better balance, lower blood pressure, and improved mood, which are important for stroke survivors. An overview of the philosophy and principles of TC exercise is provided, followed by a literature review of reported TC studies examining balance, blood pressure, and mood.