%0 Journal Article
%T Subjective Experiences of Older Adults Practicing Taiji and Qigong
%A Yang Yang
%A Sharon DeCelle
%A Mike Reed
%A Karl Rosengren
%A Robert Schlagal
%A Jennifer Greene
%J Journal of Aging Research
%D 2011
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.4061/2011/650210
%X This article presents a qualitative study following a 6-month Taiji (T'ai Chi)/Qigong (Ch'i Kung) intervention for older adults. The researchers conducted in-depth interviews of eight selected participants who elected to continue practicing Taiji after the intervention ended, in order to explore their subjective experiences of Taiji's effects and their motivations for continuing to practice. We created a Layers Model to capture the significance and meaning of the multidimensionality of their reported experiences. Participants not only reported simple benefits along five dimensions of experience (physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual) but also described complex multidimensional experiences. Overall findings indicate that participants derived a very wide variety of perceived benefits, the most meaningful being a felt sense of body-mind-spirit integration. Our results support the important role of qualitative studies in researching the effects of Taiji and Qigong. 1. Introduction Over the past 20 years, Taiji has emerged as a popular and much-researched exercise intervention, especially for older adult populations. Although most Taiji research has investigated physical effects, many studies have reported positive findings for both psychological and physical function. Most of the studies that have evaluated psychological benefits have used a quantitative approach and standardized psychological measures, with significant positive effects noted in a variety of areas assessed, including improved quality of life/mood [1每5]; reduction in perceived stress and pain [6每9]; increased self-efficacy [2, 10, 11]; reduced fear of falls and increased balance confidence [12每15]; enhanced immune response [16每18]. Although not all Taiji studies report on the continuance rates for participants at the end of a Taiji intervention, those that do report high levels of subsequent adherence. Wolf et al.＊s [13] study cited a continuance rate of over 50%. In the Wenneberg et al. [19] study, 9 of 16 participants continued Qigong. In their study of patients with chronic heart failure, Yeh et al. [4] reported that 14 of 15 participants planned to continue Taiji. Two studies cited higher exercise continuance with Taiji compared to a control group, either an aerobic exercise group [20] or a home exercise group [21]. Other studies reported low drop-out rates for Taiji classes. Gavin and Myers [22] reported, ※It is noteworthy that tracking for three years, the drop-out rate for the ongoing Taiji (community) class was only 34%, considerably lower than the 46每52% dropout rate for
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jar/2011/650210/