CLINICAL RESEARCH: SUMMARY OF THE “FALL PREVENTION STUDY”

BY DR. PAUL LAM

Summary of the "Fall Prevention Study in the Community" by Sydney Central Area

Health Promotion Unit Based on the Spring 2005 "Fall Prevention Newsletter" by Syd-ney South West Area Health Service. This is the largest fall prevention study in the world involving approximately 700 people. After 16 weeks of doing a Tai Chi program (80% of the participants did the Tai Chi for Arthritis program - added by Dr Lam), "The results showed that Tai Chi significantly reduced the number of falls by almost 35%.

Tai Chi also significantly reduced the risk of multiple falls by approximately 70%." The study concludes: "Compared with other falls prevention interventions the trial showed that Tai Chi is one of the most effective ways of preventing falls in older people."

If you wish to find out more information please write to: Health Promotion Service, Divi-sion of Population Health. Level 9 (North) KGV Building, Missenden Road, Camper-down NSW 2050 Australia.

NB: For the other published articles about how Tai Chi for Arthritis prevents falls: "The Effects of Sun-Style Tai Chi Exercise on Physical Fitness and Fall Prevention in Fall-Prone Adults"

Published in the journal of Advanced Nursing 51(2), 150-157 by Dr Choi J.H., Moon J.S. and Song R. (2005)

Effects of tai chi exercise on pain, balance, muscle strength, and physical functioning in older women with osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial" Published by the Journal of Rheumatology Sept 2004