Community Dissemination of Tai Ji Quan

The program, Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance, developed by ORI scientists (2003; 2004; 2008, a,b) was implemented in this dissemination project. Class duration was 90 minutes, 2-times per week over a 12-month period. During the initial 2 weeks, practice involved learning and performing 2 forms practiced in one set of 8 repetitions (for each form) and increased to a set of 10 repetitions for up to 5 forms between Week 3 and Week 5. Although additional forms were learned as the intervention progressed, starting in Week 6, training focused on 10-12 repetitions of the combination of forms rather than single forms. Once all 8 forms were learned ( Week 10), training was maintained at between 10-15 repetitions of the 8-form routine. Exercise activities were accompanied by music. Each Tai Chi practice session included (a) a 10-15 minute warm-up, (b) 60 minutes of Tai Chi practice, and (c) a 10-minute cool-down period. Instruction comprised (a) learning new movements and (b) reviewing movements learned from previous sessions. In addition, copies of the videotape/DVD and user's guidebook were distributed to all participants who were encouraged to use these materials for additional home practice.

All participating individuals were assessed at baseline, 6 months (mid-point), 12 months (intervention termination), and 6 months following the intervention (post-intervention follow-up) on measures of health, fall history, functional ability, and quality-of-life. Each evaluation session lasted about one hour and was conducted by a trained research assessor in various centers where these classes were held.

Inclusion criteria

(a) 65 years of age or over, (b) physically mobile (i.e., can walk one or two blocks with or without an assistive device), and (c) medical clearance by a healthcare provider.

Exclusion criteria

(a) severe cognitive deficits defined by Mini-Mental State Evaluation, and (b) unable to commit for the 12 month duration of the study.