Effect of 4- and 8-wk intensive Tai Chi training on balance control in the elderly

METHODS: The objective of this study was to examine whether 4 and/or 8 weeks of intensive Tai Chi practice could improve balance control in healthy elderly subjects. Forty-nine elderly subjects voluntarily participated in an intervention program of either supervised Tai Chi or general education for 1.5 h, 6x weeks for 8 weeks. Two balance tests were administered using computerized dynamic posturography before, at 4 and 8 weeks during training, and at 4 weeks after training ended: 1) the sensory organization test measured subjects\' abilities to use somatosensory, visual, and vestibular information to control their body sway during stance under six sensory conditions; and 2) the limits of stability test measured subjects\' abilities to voluntarily weight shift to eight spatial positions within their base of support. These outcome measures were compared between the two intervention groups, and with those of experienced Tai Chi practitioners having means of 7 and 10 yr of practice from two previous studies. RESULTS: Statistical analysis demonstrated that, after 4 and 8 weeks of intensive Tai Chi training, the elderly subjects achieved significantly better 1) vestibular ratio in the sensory organization test and 2) directional control of their leaning trajectory in the limits of stability test, when compared with those of the control group. These improvements were maintained even at follow-up 4 weeks afterward. Furthermore, the improved balance performance from week 4 on was comparable to that of experienced Tai Chi practitioners.