scholarly journals A remote Tai Chi program for diverse older adults with multisite pain during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 997-998
Author(s):  
Yael Koren ◽  
Suzanne Leveille ◽  
Catarina Ambrizzi Moraes ◽  
William Butts ◽  
Peter Wayne ◽  
...  

Abstract The goal of this study was to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of a remote Tai Chi program in diverse older adults with multisite pain and risk for falls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adults aged ≥65y living in diverse Boston neighborhoods were invited through mailed letters to participate in a recruitment and screening survey. Eligible adults were re-contacted to join a 4-week Tai Chi or light exercise program offered online twice weekly. We conducted pre- and post-interviews to assess pain characteristics, fall risk, computer use, and satisfaction with the program. Primary outcomes were class attendance, experience, and program safety. Among 335 survey respondents, 105 (31%) were eligible based on multisite pain and fall history or cane/walker use. Of the eligible respondents, average age was 74y, 75% were women, 62% were Black, and 31% had high school education or less. We assigned 32 participants to 4 Tai Chi (Yang-style Tai Chi tailored to older adults with pain) or 2 light exercise (stretching and strength exercise) groups conducted via zoom; of these, 24 (75%) completed the program. Overall, 79% attended ≥6 of 8 classes. There were no adverse events reported. Regarding experiences with remote exercise, 67% reported it was very easy to join, 88%, very easy to see the instructor and 83%, very easy to participate. For future planning, 29% prefer remote classes, 33% prefer in-person classes, and 38% could do either. In conclusion, remote exercise programming is safe and feasible for diverse older adults who have multisite pain and risk of falls.

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lan Yao ◽  
Bruno Giordani ◽  
Neil B. Alexander

Exercise, particularly Tai Chi, has many known benefits, especially in reducing fall risk. However, exercise studies have tended to exclude older adults with dementia (OAD), who may be at high fall risk but have difficulty participating in formal exercise programs. This paper describes development and feasibility testing of a Tai Chi fall risk reduction exercise protocol, the positive emotion–motivated Tai Chi (PEM-TC) program for OAD, and explores strategies that facilitate their participation in and adherence to exercise programs. Preliminary data indicates that difficulties in delivering exercise to OAD may be eased by using the Sticky Hands Tai Chi teaching technique. Family members may have the optimum advantage in using Sticky Hands because of established emotional connections with their OAD.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 983-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary P. Gallant ◽  
Meaghan Tartaglia ◽  
Susan Hardman ◽  
Kara Burke

2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan Ambrens ◽  
Melinda Stanners ◽  
Trinidad Valenzuela ◽  
Husna Razee ◽  
Jessica Chow ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 378-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ladda Thiamwong ◽  
Helen J. Huang ◽  
Boon Peng Ng ◽  
Xin Yan ◽  
Mary Lou Sole ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 150 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mira Maximos ◽  
Feng Chang ◽  
Tejal Patel

Background: Falls are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. About a third of those aged 65 years or older fall at least once each year, which can result in hospitalizations, hip fractures and nursing home admissions that incur high costs to individuals, families and society. The objective of this clinical review was to assess the risk of falls in ambulatory older adults who take antiepileptic drugs, medications that can increase fall risk and decrease bone density. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched from inception to July 2014. Case-control, quasi-experimental and observational design studies published in English that assessed quantifiable fall risk associated with antiepileptic drug use in ambulatory patient populations with a mean or median age of 65 years or older were eligible for inclusion. One author screened all titles and abstracts from the initial search. Two authors independently reviewed and abstracted data from full-text articles that met eligibility criteria. Results: Searches yielded 399 unique articles, of which 7 met inclusion criteria—4 prospective or longitudinal cohort studies, 1 cohort study with a nested case-control, 1 cross-sectional survey and 1 retrospective cross-sectional database analysis. Studies that calculated the relative risk of falls associated with antiepileptic drug use reported a range of 1.29 to 1.62. Studies that reported odds ratios of falls associated with antiepileptic drug use ranged from 1.75 to 6.2 for 1 fall or at least 1 fall and from 2.56 to 7.1 for more frequent falls. Discussion: Health care professionals should monitor older adults while they take antiepileptic drugs to balance the need for such pharmacotherapy against an increased risk of falling and injuries from falls.


2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 721-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somporn Sungkarat ◽  
Sirinun Boripuntakul ◽  
Nipon Chattipakorn ◽  
Kanokwan Watcharasaksilp ◽  
Stephen R Lord

Author(s):  
Camila Costa Ibiapina Reis ◽  
Marcos Antônio Pereira dos Santos ◽  
Camila Feitosa da Costa ◽  
Edna Maria Silva Araújo ◽  
Luiz Roberto Ramos

ABSTRACT Considering that aging leads to losses in postural control and balance, our objective was to analyze the effects of water aerobics on posture alignment and risk of falls in older adults. A quasi-experimental intervention study included 49 older adults in the Intervention Group (IG) and 34 in the Control Group (CG). A plumbed symmetrograph assessed posture alignment, while a Time Up & Go test determined the fall risk. The IG performed water aerobics twice a week for three months. Posture alignment significantly improved in most body segments assessed for the IG, and worsened in the CG. The low risk of falls in the IG increased by 28% in relation to the CG. We concluded that water aerobics improved posture alignment and reduced fall risk in older adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-386
Author(s):  
Cristina Lavareda Baixinho ◽  
Maria dos Anjos Dixe

ABSTRACT. Falls are a complex problem for the older population residing in nursing homes. Despite recommendations, many difficulties remain in the evaluation of and systematic information on fall risk factors. Objectives: To build and validate the Scale for Practices of Identification of and Information on Fall Risk Factors in the Admission of Older Adults; to describe the practices of professionals in identifying and providing information on fall risk factors in the admission of older adults; and to associate these practices with the training, experience, and age of the caretakers. Methods: This is a methodological study. Based on a literature review, we analyzed the contexts, consulted specialists, selected indicators, and designed the scale, which was evaluated by experts. The process included a pre-test, reformulation, application, and validation. Results: The response rate was 65.52%. The validated scale has 13 items and 2 dimensions: risk factor evaluation practices and information practices; it presents good psychometric properties (α=0.913) to evaluate the risk of falls in the admission of older adults. Conclusions: Caregivers who received training during professional activities had better practices as to the provision of information to older adults about the risk of falls. The risk associated with gait and balance changes is more significant compared to the cognitive state.


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