Tai Chi for independent living: RCT of efficacy of Tai Chi in delaying disability among older people.

这项研究探讨了我国老龄化人口中的残疾问题。保持我国老年公民的身体机能和独立生活的能力具有重大的社会、公共卫生和经济效益。本研究的目的是：(1)测试太极拳在延缓老年人失能的功效，(2)研究太极拳干预失能途径的机制，(3)确定太极拳对老年人的成本效益。这项研究将招募670名70岁以上的老人，并随机分配他们参加为期48周的太极拳或拉伸和放松项目。然后将这些组进行比较，以确定在残疾的发展以及一系列功能结果（如力量、平衡、抑郁、关节炎症状、生活满意度和跌倒）方面是否存在任何差异。这将是世界上第一个测试任何锻炼计划对延缓老年人残疾表现的影响的研究。强有力的证据表明，太极拳实际上可以延缓残疾，这将对老年人在人口老龄化的关键时刻保持独立性产生直接而重大的影响。将这些研究成果转化为实践，将减少对社区居住老年人的支持服务需求，以及对支持住宿设施的需求。老年人的生活质量将得到改善，政府和非政府机构对有限资源的需求将减少。这项具有国际意义的研究也将有助于理解残疾发展的机制，并为继续研究运动项目的效果损耗和长期坚持创造宝贵的机会。

This study addresses the issue of disability among our ageing population. Preservation of function among our older citizens, and their capacity to live independently, is of significant social, public health and economic benefit. The aims of this study are to (1) test the efficacy of Tai Chi in delaying disability among older people, prior to its onset, (2) investigate the mechanisms by which Tai Chi intervenes in the disability pathway, (3) determine the cost-benefits of Tai Chi for older people. The study will recruit 670 people over 70 years of age and randomly assign them to receive either Tai Chi, or a stretching and relaxation program, for a period of 48 weeks. The groups will then be compared to determine if there is any difference in the development of disability as well as a range of functional outcomes such as strength, balance, depression, arthritic symptoms, life satisfaction, and falls. This will be the first study world-wide to test the impact of any exercise program on delaying the manifestation of disability among older people. Robust evidence that Tai Chi can in fact delay disability will have immediate and significant implications for the maintenance of independence among older people at a critical time for our ageing population. Translation of these research results to practice will decrease demand for support services for community dwelling older people, and for places in supported accommodation facilities. Older people will have improved quality of life, and government and non-government agencies will experience reduced demand for limited resources. This internationally significant study will also contribute to understanding the mechanisms by which disability develops, and create the valuable opportunity for continuing research on attrition of effect and long term adherence to exercise programs.