%0 Journal Article
%T Using Tai Chi to Reduce Fall Risk Factors Among Older Adults: An Evaluation of a Community
%A Kara Burke
%A Mary P. Gallant
%A Meaghan Tartaglia
%A Susan Hardman
%J Journal of Applied Gerontology
%@ 1552-4523
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0733464817703004
%X This study aimed to evaluate a community-based implementation of an evidence-based fall prevention program, in which 131 individuals participated in Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance. Self-report and functional performance assessments included demographics, health and fall history, the Activities-Specific Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go test, and the Functional Reach test. Pre¨Cpost scores were compared with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The mostly female participants were 73 years old, on average. At baseline, 18% reported being afraid or very afraid of falling, and 18% had fallen in the past 6 months. At follow-up, there was significant improvement in Timed Up and Go (p < .001), Functional Reach (p < .01), and Activities-Specific Balance Scale scores (p < .01). These results demonstrate that a 12-week evidence-based Tai Chi program can be feasibly implemented by novice instructors, is well-received by older adults, and can effectively reduce fall risk when implemented in community settings
%K falls
%K exercise
%K evidence-based practice
%K program evaluation
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0733464817703004