Objective To objectively evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi in fall prevention and balance function in the elderly. Methods Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library (Issue 8, 2012), EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2000 to 2012, and the relevant references of the included articles were also manually searched. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature was screened, the data were extracted and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed. Then meta-analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 6 RCTs involving 2 796 participants were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that the Tai Chi group was superior to the control group in decrease of the incidence rate of fall (RR=0.82, 95%CI 0.73 to 0.92, P=0.000 6), Timed Up and Go Test (MD=0.71, 95%CI 0.29 to 1.12, P=0.000 9), Functional Reach Test (MD=0.78, 95%CI 0.33 to 1.23, P=0.000 7) and Berger Balance Scale (MD=2.45, 95%CI 1.47 to 3.43, Plt;0.000 01), and there were statistical differences. Conclusion Tai Chi can effectively reduce the risk of fall for the elderly and improve their balance function.
The balance ability is the basic guarantee for the human body to maintain the posture and complete every daily life activity, and it is also an important physical quality index for the elderly. Insufficient balance ability may lead to falls among the elderly, which may lead to fractures, long-term pain, craniocerebral trauma, disability, and even death and other serious adverse consequences. Under the background of China’s rapid aging population and the strong advocacy of the combination of medical care and nursing, improving the balance ability of the elderly is an effective way to prevent the elderly from falling down, and is of great significance to reduce the accidental injury for the elderly. In this paper, the methods and the latest progress of balance function evaluation and training for the elderly at home and abroad are reviewed in order to provide reference for the formulation of intervention programs to improve the balance function of the elderly, so as to improve the quality of life of the elderly and open up a new path for the realization of healthy aging.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Baduanjin on the motor function and balance function in patients within 6 months after stroke.Methods Between July 2018 and March 2019, a total of 40 stroke patients were randomly divided into the Baduanjin group and the control group. Twenty patients in the Baduanjin group received the treatment of Baduanjin training and conventional rehabilitation, while the other 20 patients in the control group were treated with conventional rehabilitation only. The duration of the treatment was 3 weeks; then the motor function, balance ability and the ability of daily life in the two groups were assessed by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), the 6-minute Walking Test (6MWT), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the balance tester and the Barthel Index (BI) respectively before and after treatment.ResultsAfter the 3-week treatment, the motor function, balance ability and the ability of daily life assessed by FMA, 6MWT, BBS, the balance tester, and BI were improved significantly in both groups (P<0.05). The post-treatment scores of FMA, BI, BBS and 6MWT distance in the Baduanjin group were more than those in the control group [72.25±20.91 vs. 57.90±20.25, 89.75±12.08 vs. 77.75±15.68, 53.25±5.74 vs. 47.80±9.77, (251.03±79.43) vs. (186.92±100.09) m; P<0.05]. In the sit-to-stand balance test, compared with those in the control group, the total trajectory length of center of gravity, average swing speed of center of gravity, and unit area trajectory length of center of gravity in standing stance in the Baduanjin group reduced significantly [(235.86±76.08) vs. (303.60±123.01) cm, (11.67±3.37) vs. (15.76±7.05) cm/s, (2.53±0.99) vs. (3.40±1.28) cm/cm2; P<0.05], and the total trajectory length of center of gravity, average swing speed of center of gravity, and unit area trajectory length of center of gravity in sitting stance in the Baduanjin group also reduced significantly [(246.59±98.79) vs. (334.05±155.87) cm, (7.69±2.29) vs. (11.13±6.41) cm/s, (4.10±1.38) vs. (6.25±4.21) cm/cm2; P<0.05].ConclusionConventional rehabilitation with or without Baduanjin can improve the motor function, balance function and the ability of daily life in patients after stroke, but the effect of rehabilitation with Baduanjin is better than conventional rehabilitation.