Starfarm Tai Chi Classes in CT

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Therapeutic Tai Chi Fall Prevention Program DVD

Order your copy and begin practicing right away.  Therapeutic Tai Chi Fall Prevention Program DVD produced by the researchers: original intent preserved. Video is only $5.99, no artistic DVD cover or disc art, no slim case, no other bells and whistles.

S&H $2.99 USPS with delivery confirmation.

Regular Practice with Therapeutic Tai Chi Fall Prevention Program DVD can lead to better Balance :

Better movement excursion and control, and consistent, steady walking patterns:

•     improved postural stability
•     improved control of body positioning
•     improved gait initiation
•     improved movement symmetry and coordination
•     improved lower extremity strength

Therapeutic Tai Chi Fall Prevention Program DVD

The guidelines were compiled by a panel comprising members from the previous panels and new members with substantial knowledge, experience, and publications in fall prevention and care of older patients, and are based on a systematic review of the randomized controlled trials of fall prevention interventions.  The literature search included meta-analyses, systematic literature reviews, randomized controlled trials, controlled before-and-after studies, and cohort studies published between May 2001 and April 2008.  The panel also reviewed the RCTs published between April 2008 and July 2009 and concluded that the additional evidence did not change the ranking of the evidence or the guideline recommendations.

“Falls are one of the most common health problems experienced by older adults and are a common cause of losing functional independence,” said Dr. Mary Tinetti of Yale University School of Medicine, and one of the panel chairs. “Given their frequency and consequences, falls are as serious a health problem for older persons as heart attacks and strokes.”

The guidelines now state that doctors and other health professionals should determine whether their older patients are at risk of falling by asking if they have fallen recently or if they are unsteady walking. If so, health providers should look for the presence of known problems such as muscle weakness, poor balance or blood pressure that drops too much on standing. If they have these problems, then older adults should receive the interventions described in the guidelines, but if there is no evidence of gait problems or recurrent falls, they do not require a risk assessment.

The new recommendations for interventions focus on:

• Multifactorial interventions which include exercise for balance, gait and strength training, such as Tai Chi or physical therapy

• Environmental adaptation to reduce fall risk factors in the home and in daily activities

• Cataract surgery where needed, but they recommend against vision intervention as an individual approach

• Medication reduction, regardless of the number of medications prescribed (in 2001 this was only recommended for those on at least four) with particular attention to medications that affect the brain such as sleeping medications and antidepressants

• Focus on raising low blood pressure and managing heart rate and rhythm abnormalities

“We found that the most effective trials for preventing falls in older people looked at multiple interventions rather than just one; previous studies have indicated that it is more effective to focus on one intervention, but because we looked at not only what recommendations were given, but also which carried out, we’re confident that multifactorial interventions is the best course of action,” said Tinetti.

“There is emerging evidence that the rate of serious fall injuries, such as hip fractures, is decreasing modestly in areas in which fall prevention is integrated into clinical practice.  By making fall prevention part of the clinical care of older adults this trend can continue.”

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A summary of the updated AGS/BGS Clinical Practice Guideline for Prevention of Falls in the Older Persons is published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact healthnews@wiley.com

Full citation: Summary of the Updated AGS/BGS Clinical Practice Guideline for Prevention of Falls in Older Persons Developed by the Panel on Prevention of Falls in Older Persons, American Geriatrics Society and British Geriatrics Society. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2010; DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03234.x

URL upon publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03234.x

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With nearly 100 people from around the country in attendence, Jiang, Jian-ye (Grandmaster) introduced The intermediate level of Chinese Yoga with Healing Qi, during a Saturday Workshop held at his Albany, New York studio.  Starfarm’s Laddie Sacharko was in attendence, shown in photo.

Laddie Sacharko Attends HPA training for instructors, Chinese Yoga Intermediate level. Laddie is 3rd from right, second row.

An Intermediate Level class is planned for January 2010 at Thompson, where about 20 people have been practicing the beginner’s level.  Watch for details! Check Here

The Effect of Tai Chi on Health Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Conditions

A Systematic Review

Chenchen Wang, MD, MSc; Jean Paul Collet, MD, PhD; Joseph Lau, MD

Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:493-501.

Objective To conduct a systematic review of reports on the physical and psychological effects of Tai Chi on various chronic medical conditions.

Data Sources Search of 11 computerized English and Chinese databases.

Study Selection Randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled studies, and observational studies published in English or Chinese.

Data Extraction Data were extracted for the study objective, population characteristics, study setting, type of Tai Chi intervention, study design, outcome assessment, duration of follow-up, and key results.

Data Synthesis There were 9 randomized controlled trials, 23 nonrandomized controlled studies, and 15 observational studies in this review. Benefits were reported in balance and strength, cardiovascular and respiratory function, flexibility, immune system, symptoms of arthritis, muscular strength, and psychological effects.

Conclusions Tai Chi appears to have physiological and psychosocial benefits and also appears to be safe and effective in promoting balance control, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness in older patients with chronic conditions. However, limitations or biases exist in most studies, and it is difficult to draw firm conclusions about the benefits reported. Most indications in which Tai Chi was applied lack a theoretical foundation concerning the mechanism of benefit. Well-designed studies are needed.

From the Center for Clinical Evidence Synthesis, Division of Clinical Care Research, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Mass (Drs Wang and Lau); and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec (Dr Collet). The authors have no relevant financial interest in this article.

via Arch Intern Med — Abstract: The Effect of Tai Chi on Health Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review, March 8, 2004, Wang et al. 164 (5): 493.

via Tai Chi Can Help You — chicagotribune.com.