Exploring the Adaptability of Tai Chi to Stroke Rehabilitation.
Inok Hwang, Rhayun Song, Sukhee Ahn and 3 others
PMID 31265440WHAT IT FOUND
Community stroke survivors in a 12-month adapted group program attended 72% of classes, had no intervention-related falls or adverse events, and reported better balance, flexibility, and confidence.
The program included many components, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated.
Key findings
01Balance improved from a mean 46.20 to 51.10 on the 56-point Berg Balance Scale, with a significant change at 6 months maintained to 12 months.
02Self-efficacy for ADL improved from a mean 50.20 to 58.10 at 3 months and remained significant to 12 months, but ADL performance did not significantly change.
03Ten participants completed the 12-month program, attended 72% of classes on average, and no intervention-related falls or adverse events were reported.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study had no control group, so changes over time cannot be compared with usual care or other rehabilitation. Only 14 participants were enrolled and 10 completed, so the pilot is small and underpowered. Participants were ambulatory, more than one year after stroke, able to attend twice weekly, and self-referred, so results may not apply to people with more severe disability, recent stroke, or poor transportation. The program included several components at once, including 60-minute classes twice weekly, progressive increases in duration and intensity, warm-up, Tai Chi walking steps with weight transfer, qigong breathing, formal Tai Chi movements, cool-down, meditative music, motor-imagery visualization, safety features, and seated or standing practice, so no single component can be credited. Four participants dropped out, two because of transportation problems, which may affect feasibility estimates.
Declared interests
One author is the founder and sole owner of the Tree of Life Tai Chi Center, and his interests were reviewed and managed by Brigham and Women's Hospital and Partner's HealthCare. The remaining authors declared none.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the balance and self-efficacy changes as proof that Tai Chi works. The study was a small single-group pilot, and participants received a 12-month adapted program with 60-minute classes twice weekly, progressive increases in duration and intensity, warm-up, Tai Chi walking steps with weight transfer, qigong breathing, formal Tai Chi movements, cool-down, meditative music, motor-imagery visualization, safety features, and seated or standing practice, so no single component can be credited.