Does Instructor Experience Impact Balance and Health-Related Quality of Life in Healthy Older Adult Participants following a Tai Chi for Arthritis Program?

Does Instructor Experience Impact Balance and Health-Related Quality of Life in Healthy Older Adult Participants following a Tai Chi for Arthritis Program? J Community Health Nurs. 2020 Jan-Mar;37(1):26-34 Authors: Mercuris K, Lowry K, Espey S Abstract Tai chi improves balance in older adults; however, the level of instructor expertise on balance outcomes is not known. Older adults (mean age 72.6 ± 4.2 yrs.) were taught for 6 months by experienced (n = 15) or novice (n = 11) instructors. Both groups had large standardized response means (SRM) for the Four-Square-Step-Test. Only the experienced group had moderate to large SRMs (range 0.439-0.741) in all sway measures under challenge (standing with eyes closed on foam). Participants taught by experienced instructors had greater balance gains; the experience of instructors should be considered in future studies and community referrals. PMID: 31905305 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Journal of Community Health Nursing - Category: Nursing Tags: J Community Health Nurs Source Type: research