Sub-study of the Essen Study Centre for the ENTAiER Trial

Inclusion criteria

• At least 65 years.
• Chronic disease (musculoskeletal, neurological, internal medicine).
• Increased risk of falling (Berg Balance Scale Score 49 or less).
• Medical history: feeling of balance disturbance in the past.
• Independent living at home or in an old people's or retirement home.
• Regular participation in a one-hour event is possible.
• Sufficiently mobile to leave the place of residence independently at least twice a week
• Written declaration of consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Disease that restricts participation (e.g. terminal disease, heart failure NYHA III-IV, unstable angina pectoris, uncontrolled seizure disorder, decompensated lung disease that already leads to shortness of breath during light activity, advanced cancer, chemo- or radiotherapy ongoing or during the last 3 months, amputation of one or both legs)
• Complete dependence on the rollator.
• Visual, hearing or speech problems that limit the understanding of the study documents and processes.
• Major cognitive impairment (MoCA score 18 or less).
• High risk of needing individual supervision during group sessions.
• Severe personality disorder or psychiatric illness, alcoholism or other substance dependence affecting the group sessions.
• Life expectancy under 1 year.
• Permanent bed-riddenness expected in less than one year.
• Regular participation in Tai Chi or EYT in the last 6 months.
• Participation in intensive sports activities in the last month (e.g. training in the fitness centre or in sports groups which lead to breathlessness and sweating; skiing, mountaineering in high mountains).
• Patients who cannot understand the nature, meaning and necessities of participating in a study.
• Participation in another clinical trial within 3 months prior to screening for the ENTAiER trial or concurrent participation in another trial that may interfere with this trial.