British Scientists: Five Reasons for Greater Promotion of Tai Chi to Prevent Falls for Dementia Patients

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March 27, 2017 - In a recent issue of Perspectives Public Health, Dr. Samuel Nyman of Bournemouth University Dementia Institute, and Professor Dawn Skelton, Institute for Applied Health Research, Glasgow Caledonian University highlight the effectiveness of Tai Chi as an alternative strategy to physiotherapy to combat falls among older adults with dementia.

They listed out 5 reasons why there should be greater promotion of Tai Chi for preventing falls among Dementia patients.

They listed out 5 reasons why there should be greater promotion of Tai Chi for preventing falls among Dementia patients -
1. Tai Chi may be as effective or more effective than other exercise-based strategies for preventing falls among older people who are not frail.
2. Tai Chi may be as cost-effective or more cost-effective to deliver than other fall prevention strategies.
3. Tai Chi may receive higher uptake and adherence rates than other exercise-based interventions to prevent falls.
4. One size won’t fit all; we need to offer older people a choice of strategies such as Tai Chi to engage with to prevent falls.
5. Tai Chi may be as effective or more effective in preventing falls among older people with dementia.

The Ottawa Panel Guideline strongly recommends a 20-week Sun style Tai Chi exercise program (20 to 40-minute classes three times per week) for the management of knee osteoarthritis.