Well-being of institutionalized elders after Yang-style Tai Chi practice

Well-being of institutionalized elders after Yang-style Tai Chi practice

• Kuei-Min Chen PhD, RN,
• Ya-Chuan Hsu MS, RN,
• Wen-Ting Chen MS, RN and
• Hung-Fu Tseng PhD

• Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
• Instructor, Department of Nursing, Meiho Institute of Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
• Instructor, Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
• Associate Professor, Institute of Medical Research, Chang-Jung Christian University, Taiwan, Taiwan

Kuei-Min Chen
Department of Nursing
Fooyin University
151 Chin-Hsueh Rd.
Ta-Liao Township
Kaohsiung 831
Taiwan
Telephone: +886-931378188
E-mail: ns148@mail.fy.edu.tw

chen k-m, hsu y-c, chen w-t & tseng h-f (2007)  Journal of Clinical Nursing 16, 845–852
Well-being of institutionalized elders after Yang-style Tai Chi practice

Abstract

Aims and objectives. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Tai Chi on the physical and psychological well-being of elders who resided in long-term care facilities.

Background. The beneficial effects of Tai Chi on elders’ well-being have been well-documented; however, most of the studies focused on community-dwelling or healthier elders.

Design and methods. In this longitudinal, time-series, quasi-experimental study, a convenience sample of 28 institutionalized elders was recruited. A six-month Yang-style Tai Chi intervention was administered twice a week for 60 minutes per practice. The well-being outcome variables, including physical and mental health status, blood pressure, quality of sleep, occurrence of falls and fear of falling, were measured before the intervention and then at one-month, two-month, three-month and six-month intervals.

Results. Results indicated that the physical health status and social functioning of frail elders were significantly improved after Tai Chi practice [F(4,24) = 3·42, p = 0·038; F(4,24) = 9·66, p = 0·001 respectively].

Conclusions. Tai Chi practice is beneficial for frail older people.

Relevance to clinical practice. The findings provide a basis for using Yang-style Tai Chi as a floor activity in long-term care facilities to promote the well-being of the older residents.