Longitudinal Outcomes, Bone Density, and Tai Chi Exercise in Older Fallers

Falls are a serious public health problem among elderly people because it is associated with considerable mortality, morbidity, reducing functioning, and premature nursing home admissions. This research is designed to evaluate longitudinal fall-related outcomes, measure bone mineral density, and determine the efficacy of tai chi exercise for fall prevention among elderly fallers who aged 60 years and older in Taiwan. During a 5-year study period, about 799 subjects for two study designs will be recruited from emergency rooms of three hospitals located in the Taipei area. Three specific aims are targeted in this research. First, important fall-related outcomes of physical, psychological, and social functions in older fallers will be tracked over the study period. Risk or protective factors for changes in the outcomes will also be determined. Second, the predictive validity of quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) of bone density for the occurrence of fractures in older fallers will be examined. Third, the effects of tai chi exercise and lower-extremity training on improving falls among older fallers will be compared.