Key messages from scientific research that's ready to be acted on
Got It, Hide thisLomas-Vega R, Obrero-Gaitan E, Molina-Ortega FJ, et al. Tai Chi for Risk of Falls. A Meta-analysis. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2017;65:2037-43.
In older people and people who are at higher risk of falling, does Tai Chi reduce the risk of falling?
Falls can cause serious injuries and are a main cause of traumatic death in older people. People often fall because they have poor balance, have difficulty walking, or take multiple medications. Tai Chi focuses on flexibility and body coordination and may help people reduce the risk factors for falls.
The researchers did a systematic review, searching for studies that were published up to May 2016.
They found 10 randomized controlled trials, including 2,673 people (age 56 to 98 years).
The key features of the studies were:
Compared with not doing Tai Chi, Tai Chi:
In older people and people who are at higher risk of falling, Tai Chi reduces falls.
Outcomes | Time point | Number of trials (and people) | Effect of Tai Chi | Quality of the evidence |
Falls | Less than 1 year | 5 trials (1,432 people) | People who practiced Tai Chi had about half as many falls per month compared with people who did not do Tai Chi. | High |
| 1 year and longer | 6 trials (1,546 people) | People who practiced Tai Chi had 13% fewer falls per month compared with people who did not do Tai Chi. | High |
Falls causing injury | Less than 1 year | 1 trial (357 people) | People who practiced Tai Chi had half as many falls causing injury compared with people who did not do Tai Chi. | Very low |
| 1 year and longer | 1 trial (334 people) | People who practiced Tai Chi had 28% fewer falls per month compared with people who did not do Tai Chi. | Very low |
Time to first fall | Not applicable | 5 trials (1,320 people) | No effect. | Moderate |
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