It’s always encouraging to see nontoxic therapies shown to be effective for elders, a population more overmedicated than any other.
Tai chi, derived from the Asian martial arts tradition, involves a series of slow, gentle movements.
Oregon Research Institute senior scientist Fuzhong Li said senior community centers in Lane County, Ore., successfully adopted an evidence-based Tai Chi program to prevent falls among older adults.
“Our results are very important from a public health perspective,” Li said in a statement. “The U.S. population is aging rapidly and falls are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity among adults age 65 and older. Falls are associated with an enormous burden to individuals, society and to the healthcare system.”
Tai Chi, as a proven fall intervention method, may have much to offer in terms of reducing the public health burden of falls and the benefits accrued for prevention, Li added.
