Effects of Tai Chi on Postural Balance and Quality of Life in the Elderly With Gait Disorder

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The goal of this intervention study was to test balance ability and quality of life in older adults with gait problems. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Can the balance ability of elderly people with gait disorders be improved through Tai Chi intervention? 2. Whether Tai Chi intervention can improve the quality of life of elderly people with gait disorders. Participants will be divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group will undergo 12 weeks of Tai Chi intervention, while the control group will maintain daily habits, including simple walking or stretching activities.

Detailed Description
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The inclusion criteria for potential participants were as follows: Age ≥ 60 years old Have mild gait problems Can walk independently No Tai Chi training experience or exercise habits The exclusion criteria for potential participants were as follows: Age <60 years old No obvious problems with gait walking with tools Have experience in Tai Chi intervention within three months hearing loss Outcomes measured: balance, gait, muscle strength, mobility, fall rate, quality of life.

Official Title
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Effects of Tai Chi on Postural Balance and Quality of Life Among Elderly With Gait Disorders in China

Conditions
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Gait Disorder, Postural Balance

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Tai Chi
* Other: Daily activity group


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥ 60 years old Have mild gait problems Can walk independently No Tai Chi training experience or exercise habits Exclusion Criteria: Age <60 years old No obvious problems with gait walking with tools Have experience in Tai Chi intervention within three months hearing loss

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years
Maximum Age: 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: In this experiment, the experimental group will practice Yang Style Tai Chi.The control group will be the daily activity group, maintaining daily activities such as walking. There are males and females in each parallel group.
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Tai Chi group<br>The intervention was 12 weeks of Yang-style Tai Chi, three times a week. | Other: Tai Chi<br>* In this study, Tai Chi has a total of 24 movements, which are connected step by step according to the principles of sports training.<br>|
| Experimental: Daily activity group<br>The daily activity group mainly maintained daily activities, such as walking and stretching, three times a week for 12 weeks. | Other: Daily activity group<br>* The daily activity group does not receive special intervention, and the subjects must maintain their daily habits and complete the 12-week test.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Effects of 12 weeks of Tai Chi intervention on balance ability in the elderly | The main test method is the single-leg eyes-closed test | The balance ability of the elderly was tested before the intervention, after 6 weeks of intervention, and at 12 weeks | 
| Effects of 12 weeks of Tai Chi intervention on gait speed of the elderly | Gait speed measurement mainly uses the four-meter walking test | The gait speed of the elderly was tested before the intervention, after 6 weeks of intervention, and at 12 weeks | 
| Effects of 12 weeks of Tai Chi intervention on gait skills | Gait skill measurement mainly uses the figure-8 walking test | The gait skills of the elderly were tested before the intervention and at 6 and 12 weeks after the intervention | 
| Effects of 12-week Tai Chi intervention on mobility of the elderly | Time Up and Go measures mobility | The Mobility of the elderly was tested before the intervention, after 6 weeks of intervention, and at 12 weeks | 
| Effects of 12 weeks of Tai Chi intervention on upper limb muscle strength in the elderly | Grip strength test upper limb muscle strength | The upper limb muscle strength of the elderly was tested before the intervention, after 6 weeks of intervention, and at 12 weeks | 
| Effects of 12 weeks of Tai Chi intervention on lower limb muscle strength in the elderly | 30s chair test to measure lower limb muscle strength | The lower limb muscle strength of the elderly was tested before the intervention, after 6 weeks of intervention, and at 12 weeks | 
| Effect of 12-week Tai Chi intervention on fall risk in the elderly | Time Up and Go measures Fall risk | The Fall risk of the elderly was tested before the intervention, after 6 weeks of intervention, and at 12 weeks | 
| Effects of 12-week Tai Chi intervention on the quality of life of the elderly | Measured using Questionnaire, 36-Item Short Form Surve (SF-36) Scale | The Quality of life of the elderly was tested before the intervention, after 6 weeks of intervention, and at 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Tai Chi, Balance, Gait, Quality of life, Muscle strength