The Research

The Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention program is an evidence-based program and has found to be effective for Arthritis management and fall prevention by numerous health agencies in the U.S. including:

The CDC has found that almost 1 in 3 people aged 65+ will have a fall each year, sometimes with significant injuries such as fractures or brain injuries.  For those of us who also have arthritis, that number often increases.  Each year as many as 3 million older adults are treated in an emergency department for such a fall injury, with about 800,00 adults hospitalized.

There have been many studies in recent years that show tai chi, and often specifically the Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention program, is effective in reducing the discomfort and stiffness in arthritis and in reducing falls.  The Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention program is often chosen for these scientific studies because it is a standardized program with all instructors certified by the Tai Chi for Health Institute.

One such study using the Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention program, reported in the Journal of Rheumatology that they found as much as a 35% decrease in arthritis pain, a 28% reduction in stiffness and a 28% increase in the ability to perform daily tasks like climbing stairs in those participants who completed their 12 week study.  A study done at the University of North Carolina and published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, also found significant pain and stiffness relief  as well as an increase in balance and overall feelings of wellness.  In a large study funded by the New South Wales Health Department in Australia, it was found that after 16 weeks of the Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention program, recurring falls had been significantly reduced by along with numerous other health benefits.

A new and fascinating line of tai chi research is on its effect on the cognitive function among older adults.  In one 40 week study, participants were divided into 4 groups that performed either tai chi, walking exercise, social interaction, or a non-participation control group.  They found that the MRI images of the tai chi group show the most increase in brain volume and that they performed the best on cognitive tests at the end of the study.

You can find more information on some of these studies and the many health benefits of tai chi at the Tai Chi for Health Institute website.