Feasibility of Tai Chi intervention for improving quality of life in older adults with gait disorders: a pilot study

Maintaining older adults' health and quality of life (QoL) is increasingly important with the global population ageing. Gait disorders can lead to reduced mobility and a heightened risk of falls, significantly impacting the overall well-being of older adults. Tai Chi (TC), a traditional Chinese...

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Main Authors: Xu, Fan, Soh, Kim Geok, Chan, Yoke Mun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Human Resources Management Academic Research Society (HRMARS) 2024
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/116561/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/116561/1/116561.pdf
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author Xu, Fan
Soh, Kim Geok
Chan, Yoke Mun
author_facet Xu, Fan
Soh, Kim Geok
Chan, Yoke Mun
author_sort Xu, Fan
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Maintaining older adults' health and quality of life (QoL) is increasingly important with the global population ageing. Gait disorders can lead to reduced mobility and a heightened risk of falls, significantly impacting the overall well-being of older adults. Tai Chi (TC), a traditional Chinese martial art, is recognised for its potential to improve balance, strength, and mobility, which may, in turn, positively influence the QoL in older adults. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a TC intervention on the QoL of older adults with gait disorders. Recruited 16 participants and conducted a two-week training session. QoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire, with validity and reliability evaluated through the content validity index (CVI) and expert ratings. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 20.0. Content validity analysis indicated strong correlations among SF-36 items (CVI = 0.833, kappa = 0.816), and internal consistency across dimensions was high (Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.846 to 0.970). Despite high retention and compliance rates, there were no significant improvements in overall QoL scores post-intervention. This study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of a TC intervention for older adults with gait disorders. Although no significant changes in QoL were observed, the findings suggest that further research with extended interventions is warranted to explore the potential benefits of TC for this population.
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spelling upm-1165612025-04-10T11:00:25Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/116561/ Feasibility of Tai Chi intervention for improving quality of life in older adults with gait disorders: a pilot study Xu, Fan Soh, Kim Geok Chan, Yoke Mun Maintaining older adults' health and quality of life (QoL) is increasingly important with the global population ageing. Gait disorders can lead to reduced mobility and a heightened risk of falls, significantly impacting the overall well-being of older adults. Tai Chi (TC), a traditional Chinese martial art, is recognised for its potential to improve balance, strength, and mobility, which may, in turn, positively influence the QoL in older adults. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a TC intervention on the QoL of older adults with gait disorders. Recruited 16 participants and conducted a two-week training session. QoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire, with validity and reliability evaluated through the content validity index (CVI) and expert ratings. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 20.0. Content validity analysis indicated strong correlations among SF-36 items (CVI = 0.833, kappa = 0.816), and internal consistency across dimensions was high (Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.846 to 0.970). Despite high retention and compliance rates, there were no significant improvements in overall QoL scores post-intervention. This study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of a TC intervention for older adults with gait disorders. Although no significant changes in QoL were observed, the findings suggest that further research with extended interventions is warranted to explore the potential benefits of TC for this population. Human Resources Management Academic Research Society (HRMARS) 2024-09-24 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/116561/1/116561.pdf Xu, Fan and Soh, Kim Geok and Chan, Yoke Mun (2024) Feasibility of Tai Chi intervention for improving quality of life in older adults with gait disorders: a pilot study. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14 (9). pp. 1756-1764. ISSN 2222-6990 https://hrmars.com/index.php/IJARBSS/article/view/22968/Feasibility-of-Tai-Chi-Intervention-for-Improving-Quality-of-Life-in-Older-Adults-with-Gait-Disorders-A-Pilot-Study 10.6007/ijarbss/v14-i9/22968
spellingShingle Xu, Fan
Soh, Kim Geok
Chan, Yoke Mun
Feasibility of Tai Chi intervention for improving quality of life in older adults with gait disorders: a pilot study
title Feasibility of Tai Chi intervention for improving quality of life in older adults with gait disorders: a pilot study
title_full Feasibility of Tai Chi intervention for improving quality of life in older adults with gait disorders: a pilot study
title_fullStr Feasibility of Tai Chi intervention for improving quality of life in older adults with gait disorders: a pilot study
title_full_unstemmed Feasibility of Tai Chi intervention for improving quality of life in older adults with gait disorders: a pilot study
title_short Feasibility of Tai Chi intervention for improving quality of life in older adults with gait disorders: a pilot study
title_sort feasibility of tai chi intervention for improving quality of life in older adults with gait disorders: a pilot study
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/116561/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/116561/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/116561/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/116561/1/116561.pdf