Evidence for your Practice: Effects of Tai Chi on Cognition and Fall Risk

Article for Review:

Sungkarat, S., Boripuntakul, S., Chattipakorn, N., Watcharasaksilp, K., & Lord, S. R. (2016). Effects of tai chi on cognition and fall risk in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether Tai Chi training (combined center and home based) could improve cognitive ability and reduce physiological fall risk in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI). The intervention included 50 minute Tai Chi sessions, 3 times per week for 15 weeks (3 weeks center-based and 12 weeks home-based).

Conclusion: Thai Chi delivered this way significantly improved cognitive function and moderately reduced physiological fall risk in older adults with multiple-domain a-MCI. Tai Chi may be particularly beneficial to older adults with this condition.