15 April 2007
Fuzhong Li; Peter Harmer; K. John Fisher; Junheng Xu
; Kathleen M. Fitzgerald ; Naruepon Vongjaturapat
The primary objective of this study was to provide preliminary
evaluation of the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a newly developed
Tai Chi–based exercise program for older adults with Parkinson's
disease (PD).
Using a one-group pretest–posttest design, 17
community-dwelling adults (mean age 71.51 years) with mild to moderate
idiopathic PD (Stage I, II, or III on the Hoehn and Yahr scale) and
stable medication use completed a 5-day, 90-min/day Tai Chi
exercise-evaluation program. Outcome measures included face-to-face exit
interviews on appropriateness and safety and physical performance
(i.e., 50-ft speed walk, up-and-go, functional reach).
At the end of
this brief intervention, exercise adherence was 100% and the program was
shown to be safe. Exit interviews indicated that the program was well
received by all participants with respect to program appropriateness,
participant satisfaction and enjoyment, and intentions to continue.
Furthermore, a significant pretest-to-posttest change was observed at
the end of the 5-day program in all three physical-performance measures (p
< .05).
The results of this pilot evaluation suggest that Tai Chi is
an appropriate physical activity for older adults with PD and might
also be useful as a therapeutic exercise modality for improving and
maintaining physical function. These preliminary findings warrant
further investigation.
