Zhang 2006a.
| Methods | Type of study: RCT. | |
| Participants | Number of participants randomised: 49
Losses: 2 of 49. one from each group. N = 49. Age: mean (SD) 70.2 (3.6) Tai Chi, 70.6 (4.9) control. Sex: 25 men, 24 women. Health of participants defined by authors: frail Residential status of participants:community Setting: Japan. Inclusion: Community dwelling, scoring 20 to 25 seconds on Single legged stance time. Exclusion: |
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| Interventions | EXERCISE GROUP (3D): (N = 25) Tai Chi simplified form of 24 forms plus 11 easy forms at home. CONTROL GROUP: (N = 24) usual activities. Duration and intensity: 1 hour, 7 times per week for 8 weeks. Supervisor: Tai Chi instructor. Supervision: group and self. Setting: community in park and home. | |
| Outcomes | Single legged stance eyes open (max 60 s).
Walking speed (10 metres) Compliance/adherence: 91.7% practiced 4 plus hours per week Adverse events: not reported |
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| Notes | Subjects from earlier study by Zhang et al 2003. Assumption that there was no intervention in the wait control group (for 6 months). GEE point estimate was used. | |
| Risk of bias | ||
| Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Insufficient reporting to permit judgement although stated 49 subjects divided into 24 pairs according to sex, experience of falling and exercise habits. Randomised one from each pair by tossing a coin. |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Insufficient reporting to permit judgement |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | Insufficient reporting to permit judgement |
| Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Low risk | The study appears to be free of other sources of bias |
| Other bias | Low risk | The study appears to be free of other sources of bias |
| Blinding (participant) | High risk | Not possible |
| Blinding (assessor) | Unclear risk | Insufficient reporting to permit judgement |
| Were the treatment and control group comparable at entry? | Low risk | No differences reported on baseline characteristics with a potential to influence the effect of the intervention |
| Was the surveillance active, and of clinically appropriate duration (i.e. at least 3 months post intervention)? | High risk | Only immediately post intervention data, no follow‐up data reported |
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS: 1RM: One Repetition Maximum score 3D: 3D exercise including Tai Chi, qi gong, dance, yoga ADL: Activities of Daily Living. AP: Anterior‐Posterior BBS: Berg Balance Scale BPM: Balance Performance Monitor cm: Centimetres CoM: Body's Centre of Mass COMPUTERISED BALANCE: Computerised balance training using visual feedback COP: Centre of pressure. COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease EPESE: Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly short physical performance battery Ex: Exercise FRT: Functional Reach Test GBFT: Gait, Balance, Functional Tasks GEN ACTIVITY: General physical activity HR: Heart Rate hr: Hour km: Kilometres LOS: Locus Of Support MD: Mean difference min: Minute ML: Medio‐Lateral mm: Millimetres MMSE: Mini Mental Status Examination. m/s: Metres per second MULTIPLE: Multiple forms of exercise type included in intervention NSD: No significant difference PNF: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation PRE: Progressive Resistance Exercise. RCT: Randomised Controlled Trial RMS: Root mean squared s: Seconds SD: Standard Deviation SE: Standard Error SLS: Single Legged Stance SMD: Standardised Mean Difference STRENGTH: Strength training including resistance or power training TUG: Timed Up & Go Test VIBRATION: Vibration platform used as intervention