Elsevier

Geriatric Nursing

Volume 31, Issue 4, July–August 2010, Pages 272-280
Geriatric Nursing

Feature Article
Dissemination and Benefits of a Replicable Tai Chi and Qigong Program for Older Adults

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2010.04.012Get rights and content

Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQG) show promise for improving many health outcomes and are recommended for dissemination to older adults. A simplified, easy-to-replicate version of TCQG, “Tai Chi Easy,” was tested using a train-the-trainer method to demonstrate feasibility of dissemination to a widespread population of older adults through community sites and achievement of perceived outcomes. Nonexpert facilitators known as “practice leaders” were trained to implement Tai Chi Easy sessions at 18 sites across the United States. Outstanding facilitator (100%) and participant (94%) adherence was achieved. With 330 completers, mean age 73 years, significant improvements were found for participants' perceived stress levels (P = .003). Sleep quality and energy/vitality were markedly improved. Eighty-nine percent enjoyed the program, 91% were committed to continue, and 67% stated that they had increased their weekly levels of physical activity. A train-the-facilitator model for Tai Chi Easy is easily disseminated to older adults and may promote a sustainable alternative exercise, yielding favorable quality of life benefits.

Section snippets

Methods

This descriptive dissemination study used a standardized TCQG intervention, TCE, to train nonexpert practice leaders in conducting practice sessions with a target population of adults, aged 50 and older, in community settings, such as senior citizen centers, senior residences, YMCAs, hospitals and churches.

The assessment of dissemination was guided by the RE-AIM model. RE-AIM is ideal for application in field settings because much of the data collection involves counting observable behavior

Dissemination Assessment

It is estimated that 300+ potential practice leaders, or sites with potential practice leaders, received the invitation. Between 50 and 60 potential practice leader trainees responded (including site management inquiries as well as individual inquiries, some overlapping, making the exact number difficult to determine). After further communication about the degree of involvement and commitment, 18 practice leaders agreed to and completed the training. All were experienced in working with groups

Discussion

The goal of the NCOA initiative was to test a TCQG program that could be distributed widely, consistently, and with high levels of practice leader follow-through; result in high levels of course completion and adherence among participants; and result in participant perceptions of beneficial outcomes. In this plan for dissemination, then, the primary focus was on the simplicity (yet effectiveness) of the curriculum elements and the method of teaching this curriculum to nonexpert practice leaders

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated that TCQG, a not well understood and sometimes esoteric practice, can be translated into practical, simple, mindful steps, “Tai Chi Easy,” that retain the ancient wisdom of traditional Qigong and disseminate a beneficial program widely and for little cost. The standardized training for nonexpert practice leaders was effective as a first-level dissemination strategy within a framework of conventional health care and social service settings, resulting in enthusiastic

Acknowledgment

The National Council on Aging provided funds for this project.

ROGER A. JAHNKE, OMD, Founder and Director of the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, Santa Barbara, CA.

References (37)

  • M.S. Lee et al.

    Impact of qigong exercise on self-efficacy and other cognitive perceptual variables in patients with essential hypertension

    J Altern Complement Med

    (2004)
  • S.L. Wolf et al.

    The effects of Tai Chi Quan and computerized balance training on postural stability in older subjects. Atlanta FICSIT Group. Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies on Intervention Techniques

    Phys Ther

    (1997)
  • M.R. Irwin et al.

    Effects of a behavioral intervention, Tai Chi Chih on varicella-zoster virus specific immunity and health functioning in older adults

    Psychosom Med

    (2003)
  • J.M. Manzaneque et al.

    Assessment of immunological parameters following a qigong training program

    Med Sci Monit

    (2004)
  • H. Ryu et al.

    Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in Qigong (chun do sun bup) trainees by multitest cell mediated immunity

    Am J Chin Med

    (1995)
  • B.M. Jones

    Changes in cytokine production in healthy subjects practicing Guolin Qigong: a pilot study

    BMC Complement Altern Med

    (2001)
  • K.M. Chen et al.

    Facilitators and barriers to elders' practice of T'ai Chi. A mind-body, low-intensity exercise

    J Holist Nurs

    (2001)
  • C.E. Rogers et al.

    A review of clinical trials of Tai Chi and Qigong in older adults

    West J Nurs Res

    (2009)
  • Cited by (0)

    ROGER A. JAHNKE, OMD, Founder and Director of the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, Santa Barbara, CA.

    LINDA K. LARKEY, PhD, is the Scottsdale Healthcare Professor of Biobehavioral Oncology Research at the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Phoenix, AZ.

    CAROL ROGERS, APRN-BC, CNOR, PhD., is a Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence Post-Doctoral Fellow from the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Phoenix, AZ.

    View full text