International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 45, Issue 4 , Pages 501-507 , April 2008

The effects of a Simplified Tai-Chi Exercise Program (STEP) on the physical health of older adults living in long-term care facilities: A single group design with multiple time points

  • Kuei-Min Chen

      Affiliations

    • School of Nursing, Fooyin University, 151 Chin-Hsueh Rd., Taliao Township, Kaohsiung 831, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +88677833989.
  • ,
  • Jong-Ni Lin

      Affiliations

    • School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Taiwan
  • ,
  • Huey-Shyan Lin

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nursing Management, Fooyin University, Taiwan
  • ,
  • Hui-Chuan Wu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Midwifery, Fooyin University, Taiwan
  • ,
  • Wen-Ting Chen

      Affiliations

    • School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Taiwan
  • ,
  • Chun-Huw Li

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nursing, Yuhing Junior College of Health Care and Management, Taiwan
  • ,
  • Sing Kai Lo

      Affiliations

    • Faculty of Health & Behavioural Sciences, Deakin University, Australia

Received 18 July 2006 ,Revised 10 November 2006 ,Accepted 28 November 2006.

References 

  1. Burns N, Grove SK. The Practice of Nursing Research: Conduct, Critique, & Utilization. fourth ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 2001;
  2. Channer KS, Barrow D, Barrow R, Osborne M, Ives G. Changes in haemodynamic parameters following Tai Chi Chuan and aerobic exercise in patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction. Postgraduate Medical Journal. 1996;72(848):347–351
  3. Chen CH, Yen MF. The effects of Tai Chi on symptom control in patients with chronic illness. Journal of Nursing. 2002;49:22–27
  4. Chen KM, Snyder M. A research-based use of Tai Chi/movement therapy as a nursing intervention. Journal of Holistic Nursing. 1999;17:267–279
  5. Chen KM, Chen WT, Wang JJ, Huang MF. Frail elders’ views of Tai Chi. Journal of Nursing Research. 2005;13(1):11–20
  6. Chen KM, Chen WT, Huang MF. Development of the Simplified Tai-Chi Exercise Program (STEP) for frail older adults. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2006;14:200–206
  7. Forge RL. Mind-body fitness: encouraging prospects for primary and secondary prevention. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 1997;11:53–65
  8. Gresham GE, Phillips TF, Labi MLC. ADL status in stroke: relative merits of three standard indexes. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1980;61:355–358
  9. Hainsworth T. The role of exercise in falls prevention for older patients. Nursing Times. 2004;100(18):28–29
  10. Jacobson BH, Chen HC, Cashel C, Guerrero L. The effect of Tai Chi Chuan training on balance, kinesthetic sense, and strength. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 1997;84:27–33
  11. Jou TH. The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan: Way to Rejuvenation. third ed. Piscataway, NH: Tai Chi Foundation; 1983;
  12. Lai JS, Lan C, Wong MK, Teng SH. Two-year trends in cardiorespiratory function among older Tai Chi Chuan practitioners and sedentary subjects. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 1995;43:1222–1227
  13. Lan C, Lai JS, Chen SY, Wong MK. 12-month Tai Chi training in the elderly: Its effect on health fitness. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 1998;30:345–351
  14. Lan C, Lai JS, Chen SY. Tai Chi Chuan: an ancient wisdom on exercise and health promotion. Sports Medicine. 2002;32:217–224
  15. Perry P. Sports medicine in China: a group philosophy of fitness. Physician and Sportsmedicine. 1982;10(1):177–178
  16. Pfeiffer E. A short portable mental status questionnaire for the assessment of organic brain deficit in elderly patients. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 1975;23:433–441
  17. Physical Fitness of the Ministry of Education, 2005. Available from: URL: 〈http://www.fitness.org.tw/test/t6.htm〉.
  18. Plummer JP. Acupuncture and Tai Chi Chuan (Chinese shadow boxing): body/mind therapies affecting homeostasis. In:  Lau Y,  Fowler JP editor. The Scientific Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Medical Society; 1983;p. 22–36
  19. Shih J. Basic Beijing 24 forms of Tai Chi exercise and average velocity of sway. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 1997;84(1):287–290
  20. Smalheiser M. Tai Chi Chuan in China today. Tai Chi Chuan. 1984;1:3–5
  21. Swaim L. Fu Zhongwen: Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic; 1999;
  22. Thornton EW, Sykes KS, Tang WK. Health benefits of Tai Chi exercise: improved balance and blood pressure in middle-aged women. Health Promotion International. 2004;19(1):33–38
  23. Tsai JC, Wang WH, Chan P, Lin LJ, Wang CH, Tomlinson B, et al. The beneficial effects of Tai Chi Chuan on blood pressure and lipid profile and anxiety status in a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2003;9:747–754
  24. Tsang WW, Hui-Chan CW. Effects of exercise on joint sense and balance in elderly men: Tai Chi versus golf. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2004;36:658–667
  25. Ware JE, Snow KK, Kosinski M, Gandek B. SF-36 Health Survey Manual and Interpretation Guide. Boston, MA: The Health Institute, New England Medical Center; 1993;
  26. Wolf SL, Barnhart HX, Kutner NG, McNeely E, Coogler C, Xu T. Selected as the best paper in the 1990s: reducing frailty and falls in older persons: an investigation of Tai Chi and computerized balance training. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2003;51:1794–1803

 The work was performed at Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. This study was funded by the National Science Council, Taiwan (NSC 92-2314-B-242-002).

PII: S0020-7489(06)00316-6

doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2006.11.008

International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 45, Issue 4 , Pages 501-507 , April 2008