1. Insights and Lessons Learned from a Session Tai Chi Training Intervention Judith B. Hirschfeld, MSA1; Darrell Spurlock, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF2; Daniel Abbey, RN1 Andrea Light, RN1; 1Mount Carmel Health System 2Mount Carmel College of Nursing
Inter-Professional Research and Evidence-Based Practice Day
Mount Carmel Health System
May 10, 2017

2. Background
Half of trauma patients in trauma registry, derived their injury from a fall.
Falls most prevalent in the 50 year and older
The hospital offered Tai Chi classes as an intervention.
Tai Chi, a nontraditional slow motion exercise, identified by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as evidence-based in reducing falls.

3. Methods
Examine impact of Tai Chi on mobility and flexibility, 93 subjects participated in 12 session series at various sites from
Hour long sessions held weekly. Those included attended five up to 12 sessions.

4. Methods continued:
Study measures: Functional Reach (FRT) and Get up and Go (GUG).
Subjects: 74% female, median age 64.8 years.
Eleven female subjects reported recent joint replacement.

5. Get Up and Go (GUG) Assessment tool that calculates normal pace
Lower GUG score is desirable.

6. Results: Get Up and Go—combined scores

7. Functional Reach (FRT)
Measures maximum distance one can reach forward while standing in a fixed position.
Higher FRT score is desirable.

8. Results: Functional Reach
Functional Reach Scores of Males and Females (inches)
Differences attributable to height and recent joint replacement
Determined difference was attributable to height and joint replacement. Point biserial correlation calculation
rpb = .178 p = .108 (p value)
between gender:
rpb = .3, p = .004 (p value)

9. Discussion/Conclusions
Must review results carefully; confounding factors.
Funders want meaningful results;
Current science can be improved, enhanced.