Walking meditation versus balance training for improving balance abilities among older adults with history of fall: A randomized controlled trial

Objective To investigate improvement in balance abilities compared between walking meditation and balance training among older adults with history of fall. Interventions Walking meditation or mindfulness meditation whilst standing and moving ( n = 35) or balance training ( n = 33) 20–30 min/day, 5–7 days/week for 24 weeks was performed at home. Main outcomes The primary outcomes were dynamic balance abilities as assessed by Timed Up and Go test (TUGT), and static balance as assessed by Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Single Leg Stance Test (SLST). The secondary outcomes were quality of life as measured by the EuroQOL 5-dimensions 5-levels (EQ-5D-5L), and mental health as evaluated by the Thai Geriatric Mental Health Assessment Tool-15 (TGMHA-15). All outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 9 months. Self-reported compliance, adverse events, and patient satisfaction were recorded at 6 and 9 months. Results The mean age was 69 years (range: 60–85). No significant difference was observed between groups for the 3 primary outcome measures. The mean difference (95% confidence interval) between groups was −0.48 (-1.40, 0.44) for TUGT, −1.11 (-3.66, 1.45) for FRT, and 0.82 (-5.03, 6.67) for SLST. The EQ-5D-5L and TGMHA-15 also showed no significant difference between groups. Most participants were in good compliance with the exercise protocol (48.3–68.0%), and no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion Our results showed walking meditation to be comparable to balance training for improving balance abilities in older adults with history of fall. Walking meditation may be considered an alternative treatment for improving balance abilities in this patient population.

Session 5: Reacting Versus Responding

In this session, a distinction is made between mindfulness (coming to the present moment) and awareness (what we find when we come to this moment). After a discussion of the prior week’s practices, participants are then introduced to Open Monitoring as a way to cultivate awareness and make space for our emotional reactivity. In this context, a discussion is raised about “falling down a hole”—when we have a sustained negative emotional reaction, for example, in response to a cognitive slip-up. Participants are assigned the practice “Emotional Weather” as a way to actively work with emotions. Walking meditation (“Aimless Wandering”) is also provided for home practice.

Session 5: Reacting Versus Responding

In this session, a distinction is made between mindfulness (coming to the present moment) and awareness (what we find when we come to this moment). After a discussion of the prior week’s practices, you will then be introduced to a new practice, “Open Monitoring,” as a way to cultivate awareness and make space for our emotional reactivity. In this context, we will talk about the idea of “falling down a hole”—when we have a sustained negative emotional reaction, for example, in response to a cognitive slip-up. For homework, you will be assigned the practice “Emotional Weather” as a way to actively work with emotions. Walking meditation (“Aimless Wandering”) is provided as a third home practice.

Mind, Body, and Soul: A Spiritual Perspective on the Entrepreneurial Imagination

We develop a spiritual perspective on the entrepreneurial imagination, addressing imagined futures in this “conversations and controversies” section on entrepreneurial futures. Specifically, we blend heterodox ideas from various yoga traditions, experiential sources of religion, and the work of poet-mystic William Blake. These diverse sources echo related ideas in a coherent way—uniquely embracing both transcendence and immanence, both mind and body. We structure our argument around the latter binary, making connections to spirituality and entrepreneurial imagination in each domain. We begin with the mind, acknowledging imagination as a mental act. Specifically, we explore the conscious, unconscious, and spiritual mind. We then turn to the body, recognizing imagination’s bodily basis. In particular, we investigate the corporeal, sensory, and spiritual body. Before offering some concluding thoughts, we discuss implications for entrepreneurial imagination with a focus on walking meditation (and contemplative practices of walking more generally) as one potentially fruitful way to engage mind-body-spirit and the forward-looking entrepreneurial imagination.