太極養生操課程介入對社區老人健康體能與認知功能之成效

Effects of Community-Based Tai Chi Exercise on Health-Related Physical Fitness and Cognitive Functions in the Elderly

洪秀吉(Hsiu‐Chi Hung) ； 張嚴仁(Yen‐Jen Chang) ； 賴蓉星(Rong‐Sing Lai) ； 簡姿娟(Tzu‐Chuan Chien Chen)

《護理暨健康照護研究》 9卷4期 (2013/12) Pp. 271-281

https://doi.org/10.6225/JNHR.09.4.271

摘要

Background: Demand for long‐term care in Taiwan has escalated with the sharp rise in the elderly population in recent decades. Slowing the aging process and enhancing the activities of daily living ability in this population are two important strategies to moderate the demand for long‐term care.Purpose: This study compares the effectiveness of tai chi exercise on improving health‐related physical fitness and cognitive functions in the elderly.Methods: This study used a quasi‐experimental study design. A total of 82 community‐dwelling elderly were assigned to either the tai chi exercise training group (n = 41) or control group (n = 41). The experimental group performed tai chi exercise training three times a week, 90 minutes each time, for 12 weeks. The control group did not perform tai chi exercise. A questionnaire incorporating a health‐related physical fitness test and the Mini‐Mental Status Examination (MMSE) was collected at baseline and immediately after the 12‐week intervention.Results: Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 statistical software. Statistical methods used included descriptive statistics, dependent t‐test, and the mixed‐design two‐way ANOVA. Study results showed: (1) In terms of health‐related physical fitness, the tai chi exercise training group earned significantly better post‐intervention scores than their control group peers for cardiac endurance, strength and endurance, and flexibility (p ＜ .05). There was no statistically significant change in body composition between pre‐ and post‐intervention measurements. The tai chi training group performed better compared to the control group in terms of body composition (p ＜ .05). (2) In terms of cognitive function, the tai chi exercise group performed significantly better than the control group (F = 18.571, p ＜ .001). The MMSE results for orientation, registration, language, attention, and calculation improved slightly, but below statistical significance. Recall improved significantly in the tai chi exercise group (t = ‐2.256, p = .030).Conclusions: Results of this study support that tai chi exercise training improves health‐related physical fitness and cognitive function in elderly practitioners. Researchers suggest that tai chi exercise training programs be extended further in community settings.

關鍵字

太極拳 ； 老年人 ； 健康體能 ； 認知功能

並列摘要

Background: Demand for long‐term care in Taiwan has escalated with the sharp rise in the elderly population in recent decades. Slowing the aging process and enhancing the activities of daily living ability in this population are two important strategies to moderate the demand for long‐term care.Purpose: This study compares the effectiveness of tai chi exercise on improving health‐related physical fitness and cognitive functions in the elderly.Methods: This study used a quasi‐experimental study design. A total of 82 community‐dwelling elderly were assigned to either the tai chi exercise training group (n = 41) or control group (n = 41). The experimental group performed tai chi exercise training three times a week, 90 minutes each time, for 12 weeks. The control group did not perform tai chi exercise. A questionnaire incorporating a health‐related physical fitness test and the Mini‐Mental Status Examination (MMSE) was collected at baseline and immediately after the 12‐week intervention.Results: Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 statistical software. Statistical methods used included descriptive statistics, dependent t‐test, and the mixed‐design two‐way ANOVA. Study results showed: (1) In terms of health‐related physical fitness, the tai chi exercise training group earned significantly better post‐intervention scores than their control group peers for cardiac endurance, strength and endurance, and flexibility (p ＜ .05). There was no statistically significant change in body composition between pre‐ and post‐intervention measurements. The tai chi training group performed better compared to the control group in terms of body composition (p ＜ .05). (2) In terms of cognitive function, the tai chi exercise group performed significantly better than the control group (F = 18.571, p ＜ .001). The MMSE results for orientation, registration, language, attention, and calculation improved slightly, but below statistical significance. Recall improved significantly in the tai chi exercise group (t = ‐2.256, p = .030).Conclusions: Results of this study support that tai chi exercise training improves health‐related physical fitness and cognitive function in elderly practitioners. Researchers suggest that tai chi exercise training programs be extended further in community settings.

並列關鍵字

Tai Chi ； elderly ； health‐related physical fitness ； cognitive function

參考文獻

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