Determining the Effects of Tai Chi on Dynamic Balance and Fear of Falling in an Elderly Population

In this study, the potential value of Tai Chi in improving dynamic balance and falls self-efficacy in a healthy elderly sample was investigated. Performance of the 33 Tai Chi practitioners on the 8foot-up-and-go balance test and the scores on the Falls Self-Efficacy Scale was compared with a nonpredictor control group. A multivariate analysis of variance demonstrated that there was not a significant difference between the practitioners and the nonpractitioners on pre-test dependent variables (g >.57). The practitioners did significantly improve their time on the balance test after the intervention (g <.05). However, the experimental group did not improve their self-reported measures on the self-efficacy scale(r >.98). (C) 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.