The Effectiveness of Tai Chi Exercises on Balance, Fear of Falling, Working Memory, and Selective Attention in Older Women

Abstract

Background and Aims Physical and mental disabilities and diseases increase with the onset of old age. On the other hand, the observation of older people who have considerably maintained their cognitive and physical abilities by changing their lifestyle rejects the belief that old age is always associated with profound physical and mental defects. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercises on balance, fear of falling, working memory, and selective attention in older women. Methods The present study is an applied study in which 47 older women with a mean age of 62.91±0.580 years from Tehran City, Iran, announced their readiness to cooperate after responding to a cyberspace call. Of them, 40 eligible women were selected. After performing the pretest (static and dynamic balance tests, working memory and selective attention, and falling efficiency questionnaire), they were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Then, the experimental group participated in the Tai Chi training program online for 8 weeks, and the control group performed their daily activities. Finally, the post-test was performed, and the results were recorded. Data analysis was performed by statistical method of analysis of covariance and combined analysis of variance using SPSS software at the level of P≤0.05. Results The results of the analysis of covariance showed that the effect of Tai Chi exercises on static balance (P=0.001), dynamic balance (P=0.001), fear of falling (P=0.001), working memory (P=0.022), and selective attention (P=0.002) was significant. Comparing the groups, the results showed that in all components studied, the participants in the experimental group performed better than the control group (P=0.001). Conclusion According to the findings, Tai Chi exercises are a useful way to improve balance, reduce fear of falling, enhance working memory, and increase selective attention in older women.