Tai Chi as an Intervention to Improve Balance and Reduce Falls in Older Adults: A Systematic and Meta-analytical Review

Objective The evidence of tai chi for balance improvement and fall reduction in older adults was updated and reviewed. Method A systematic review was carried out by two independent reviewers among nine electronic databases to identify randomized Controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of tai chi on balance improvement and fall reduction in older adults using Such key words as tai chi, falls, balance; and randomized trial. Results no results based on 3 RCTs indicated that tai chi was effective in improving balance of older adults but May not necessarily be superior to other interventions. Results also showed that in the absent e of other interventions; tai chi reduced falls in the nonfrail elderly. Conclusion Tai chi is recommended as an alternative treatment for improving balance So as to reduce falls. Future researeh with improved research designs such as Mote consistent outcome measures on balance and fall reduction and longer postintervention follow-up should be conducted to unravel the efficacy of different types of tai chi.