Objectives: Inactivity is closely related to development of chronic disease and functional decline during aging. Limited researches have focused on the special needs of elderly people and patients with co-morbidity. In this study, we examined how the Tai Chi 6-form apparatus meet the need of the elderly and its clinical relevance. Methods: The Tai Chi 6-form apparatus was installed at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and evaluated for the elderly's accessibility and satisfaction. Thirty four elderly subjects enrolled in this study. They were divided into two groups, the control group (20 healthy elders) and the stroke group (14 subjects with post-stroke hemiplegia). There were 19 men and 15 women. The mean age of the subjects was 68.6±0.07. Each subject received instruction on apparatus operation and then exercised for a 30-minute duration. Questionnaire was given to each subject to evaluate their satisfaction level. Results: (1). There was no significant difference in the total satisfaction scores between the control (healthy) and the stroke groups (4.40±0.47 to 4.73±0.25, p>0.05). (2). Requirements for the sports apparatus were different between the two groups. The elderly members in the control group used the sports apparatus mainly for lower limb exercise while their counterparts in the stroke group focused more on upper limb exercise. However, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p>0.05). (3). There were significantly lower scores in satisfaction with Tai Chi form No.3 (opening and closing the hand) for both the stroke group and the women subjects than healthy men. The height of Tai-Chi No.3 may contribute to such difference. Modification of the height for this apparatus design should be considered in future study. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the total satisfaction scores for the Tai Chi 6-form sports apparatus between the control and the stroke groups. However, the scores for form No.3 (the exercise of opening and closing the hand) were significantly lower in the stroke group and the women subjects, suggesting the need to modify the design of this sports apparatus.
Objectives: Inactivity is closely related to development of chronic disease and functional decline during aging. Limited researches have focused on the special needs of elderly people and patients with co-morbidity. In this study, we examined how the Tai Chi 6-form apparatus meet the need of the elderly and its clinical relevance. Methods: The Tai Chi 6-form apparatus was installed at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and evaluated for the elderly's accessibility and satisfaction. Thirty four elderly subjects enrolled in this study. They were divided into two groups, the control group (20 healthy elders) and the stroke group (14 subjects with post-stroke hemiplegia). There were 19 men and 15 women. The mean age of the subjects was 68.6±0.07. Each subject received instruction on apparatus operation and then exercised for a 30-minute duration. Questionnaire was given to each subject to evaluate their satisfaction level. Results: (1). There was no significant difference in the total satisfaction scores between the control (healthy) and the stroke groups (4.40±0.47 to 4.73±0.25, p>0.05). (2). Requirements for the sports apparatus were different between the two groups. The elderly members in the control group used the sports apparatus mainly for lower limb exercise while their counterparts in the stroke group focused more on upper limb exercise. However, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p>0.05). (3). There were significantly lower scores in satisfaction with Tai Chi form No.3 (opening and closing the hand) for both the stroke group and the women subjects than healthy men. The height of Tai-Chi No.3 may contribute to such difference. Modification of the height for this apparatus design should be considered in future study. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the total satisfaction scores for the Tai Chi 6-form sports apparatus between the control and the stroke groups. However, the scores for form No.3 (the exercise of opening and closing the hand) were significantly lower in the stroke group and the women subjects, suggesting the need to modify the design of this sports apparatus.