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

Abstract

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 3-arm RCT with frail older people in a residential care setting to test the hypothesis that a 14 week modified tai chi or yoga program 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. THE INFLUENCE OF TAI CHI AND YOGA ON BALANCE AND FALLS. 2The influence of tai chi and yoga on balance and falls in a residential care setting: a randomised controlled trial.

Yoga Practice for The Elderly: Good Choice to Avoid Falls

“…The same result was demonstrated after 8 weeks of yoga sessions in older adults [27] and in healthy young adults [28]. Improved balance function, reduced pain was detected in older individuals (n = 11) after the 14th week modified yoga program [29]. The study found that both balance and mobility benefited in the study of 54 community dwelling older individuals (n = 54) after the 12th week of twice-weekly Iyengar yoga session [30] and after the 8th week of an 80 minutes biweekly yoga program [31].…”

Physical‐Performance Outcomes and Biomechanical Correlates from the 32‐Week Yoga Empowers Seniors Study

“…For example, Oken et al [13] reported that mobility measures including chair stands and timed walking performance did not improve after yoga participation in healthy seniors although enhanced lower-extremity flexibility and balance were evident. Contrastingly, no significant changes in total balance score, fear of falling, flexibility, or quality of life, were found in studies reported by Schmid et al and Saravanakumar et al [14, 15]. …”

“…The amount of information regarding program design varied greatly across these reports: some only included a list of poses [10, 11, 14]; some provided detailed information of pose progression [15, 16]; some included pose illustrations [12, 17]; others described the programs without pose details [7–9, 13, 18]. …”

Yoga research review

“…Yoga was as effective as tai chi in improving balance and postural stability. In another randomized controlled trial comparing yoga and tai chi, yoga and tai chi were both effective for reducing falls, although the yoga group had a greater reduction in pain [135]. In a systematic review of balance studies, 15 studies showed positive results on at least one balance measure [136].…”