Author: Nyman SR1, Ingram W2, Sanders J2, Thomas PW3, Thomas S3, Vassallo M4, Raftery J5, Bibi I1, Barrado-Martín Y1
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Psychology and Ageing & Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole House, Talbot Campus, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UK.
<sup>2</sup>Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit, Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK.
<sup>3</sup>Bournemouth University Clinical Research Unit, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Royal London House, Lansdowne Campus, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3LT, UK.
<sup>4</sup>Centre of Postgraduate Medical Research and Education, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Royal London House, Lansdowne Campus, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3LT, UK.
<sup>5</sup>Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
Conference/Journal: Clin Interv Aging.
Date published: 2019 Nov 19
Other:
Volume ID: 14 , Pages: 2017-2029 , Special Notes: doi: 10.2147/CIA.S228931. eCollection 2019. , Word Count: 240
Purpose: To investigate the effect of Tai Chi exercise on postural balance among people with dementia (PWD) and the feasibility of a definitive trial on falls prevention.
Patients and methods: Dyads, comprising community-dwelling PWD and their informal carer (N=85), were randomised to usual care (n=43) or usual care plus weekly Tai Chi classes and home practice for 20 weeks (n=42). The primary outcome was the timed up and go test. All outcomes for PWD and their carers were assessed six months post-baseline, except for falls, which were collected prospectively over the six-month follow-up period.
Results: For PWD, there was no significant difference at follow-up on the timed up and go test (mean difference [MD] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -2.17, 3.81). At follow-up, PWD in the Tai Chi group had significantly higher quality of life (MD = 0.051, 95% CI = 0.002, 0.100, standardised effect size [ES] = 0.51) and a significantly lower rate of falls (rate ratio = 0.35, 95% CI =0.15, 0.81), which was no longer significant when an outlier was removed. Carers in the Tai Chi group at follow-up were significantly worse on the timed up and go test (MD = 1.83, 95% CI = 0.12, 3.53, ES = 0.61). The remaining secondary outcomes were not significant. No serious adverse events were related to participation in Tai Chi.
Conclusion: With refinement, this Tai Chi intervention has potential to reduce the incidence of falls and improve quality of life among community-dwelling PWD [Trial registration: NCT02864056].
© 2019 Nyman et al.
KEYWORDS: accidental falls; clinical trial; cognitive impairment; exercise; intervention
PMID: 31819385 PMCID: PMC6875562 DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S228931