Open Access, Peer-reviewed
eISSN 2093-758X
    J Korean Acad Nurs. 2013 Jun;43(3):341-351. Korean.
    Published online Jun 28, 2013.
    https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2013.43.3.341
    © 2013 Korean Society of Nursing Science
    Original Article

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

    Moonkyoung Park and 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, Email: songry@cnu.ac.kr
    Received December 07, 2012; Accepted March 13, 2013.

    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

    Figure 1
    Analysis framework of Tai Chi for fall risk factors.

    Figure 2
    Flow diagram of study selection process.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Characteristics of Included Studies in Meta-Analysis: Tai Chi for Fall Risk Factors

    Table 2
    Effect Size of 3 and 6 Months Tai Chi Exercise for Fall Risk Factors

    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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    Cited by
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    MeSH Terms
    Tai Ji*
    Accidental Falls/prevention & control*
    Activities of Daily Living
    Databases, Factual
    Fear
    Humans
    Muscle Strength
    Program Evaluation
    Risk Factors
    Metrics
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