Summary of the
Dr Paul Lam
This is the largest fall prevention study in the world has found Tai Chi significantly reduced the number of falls in older people."
Summary of the "Fall
Prevention Study in the Community" by Sydney Central Area Health Promotion
Unit
Based on the Spring
2005 "Fall Prevention Newsletter" by Sydney South West Area Health Service.
This is the largest fall
prevention study in the world involving approximately 700 people. After 16 weeks
of doing a Tai Chi program (80% of the participants did the Tai Chi for Arthritis
program – added by Dr Lam), "The results showed that Tai Chi significantly reduced
the number of falls by almost 35%. Tai Chi also significantly reduced the risk
of multiple falls by approximately 70%." The study concludes: "Compared with
other falls prevention interventions the trial showed that Tai Chi is one of
the most effective ways of preventing falls in older people."
Congratulations to the Central
Area Health Promotion Unit! This is one of the most effective works anyone can
do for health promotion. And it adds to the mounting evidence of the many tai
chi's health benefits.
If you wish to congratulate
them or find out more information please write to: Health Promotion Service,
Division of Population Health. Level 9 (North) KGV Building, Missenden Road,
Camperdown NSW 2050 Australia.
NB: For the other
published articles about how Tai Chi for Arthritis prevents falls:
Effects
of tai chi exercise on pain, balance, muscle strength, and physical functioning
in older women with osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial"
Published by the Journal of Rheumatology Sept 2004
by Rhayun Song, Eun-Ok Lee, Paul Lam, Sang-Cheol Bae