The influence of tai chi and yoga on balance and falls in a residential care setting: A randomised controlled trial

Saravanakumar, P; Higgins, IJ; Van Der Riet, PJ; Marquez, J; Sibbritt, D

The influence of tai chi and yoga on balance and falls in a residential care setting: A randomised controlled trial

Saravanakumar, P Higgins, IJ Van Der Riet, PJ Marquez, J Sibbritt, D

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Contemporary Nurse, 2014, 48 (1), pp. 76 - 87
Issue Date:: 2014-05-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Saravanakumar, P	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Higgins, IJ	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Van Der Riet, PJ	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Marquez, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sibbritt, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3561-9447	en_US
dc.date.issued	2014-05-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Contemporary Nurse, 2014, 48 (1), pp. 76 - 87	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1037-6178	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115623
dc.description.abstract	© eContent Management Pty Ltd. Falls amongst older people is a global public health concern. Whilst falling is not a typical feature of ageing, older people are more likely to fall. Fall injuries amongst older people are a leading cause of death and disability. Many older people do not do regular exercise so that they lose muscle tone, strength, and flexibility which affect balance and predispose them to falls. The management of falls in residential care settings is a major concern with strategies for prevention and monitoring a focus in this setting. Yoga and tai chi have shown potential to improve balance and prevent falls in older adults. They also have potential to improve pain and quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of conducting a three-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) with frail older people in a residential care setting to test the hypothesis that a 14-week modified tai chi or yoga programme is more effective than usual care activity in improving balance function, quality of life, pain experience and in reducing number of falls. There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups in the occurrence of falls. Yoga demonstrated a slight decrease in fall incidence; quality of life improved for the tai chi group. Only the yoga group experienced a reduction in average pain scores though not statistically significant. The findings of the study suggest it is possible to safely implement modified yoga and tai chi in a residential care setting and evaluate this using RCT design. They show positive changes to balance, pain and quality of life and a high level of interest through attendance amongst the older participants. The results support offering tai chi and yoga to older people who are frail and dependent with physical and cognitive limitations.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Contemporary Nurse	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/10376178.2014.11081929	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Nursing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Tai Ji	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Yoga	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Accidental Falls	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged, 80 and over	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Inpatients	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Nursing Homes	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Postural Balance	en_US
dc.title	The influence of tai chi and yoga on balance and falls in a residential care setting: A randomised controlled trial	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	48	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	48	en_US

Abstract:

© eContent Management Pty Ltd. Falls amongst older people is a global public health concern. Whilst falling is not a typical feature of ageing, older people are more likely to fall. Fall injuries amongst older people are a leading cause of death and disability. Many older people do not do regular exercise so that they lose muscle tone, strength, and flexibility which affect balance and predispose them to falls. The management of falls in residential care settings is a major concern with strategies for prevention and monitoring a focus in this setting. Yoga and tai chi have shown potential to improve balance and prevent falls in older adults. They also have potential to improve pain and quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of conducting a three-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) with frail older people in a residential care setting to test the hypothesis that a 14-week modified tai chi or yoga programme is more effective than usual care activity in improving balance function, quality of life, pain experience and in reducing number of falls. There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups in the occurrence of falls. Yoga demonstrated a slight decrease in fall incidence; quality of life improved for the tai chi group. Only the yoga group experienced a reduction in average pain scores though not statistically significant. The findings of the study suggest it is possible to safely implement modified yoga and tai chi in a residential care setting and evaluate this using RCT design. They show positive changes to balance, pain and quality of life and a high level of interest through attendance amongst the older participants. The results support offering tai chi and yoga to older people who are frail and dependent with physical and cognitive limitations.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115623