The Journal of Aging and Physical Activity has published the results of a study conducted by Dina L. Jones, a professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Division of Physical Therapy.
The study evaluated the process of bringing a fall-prevention exercise intervention, Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance, to 237 older adults in 18 rural West Virginia churches. The intervention had not previously been implemented and evaluated in church settings.
“We chose churches because they are widespread in West Virginia and could be efficient, effective and low-cost venues to reach medically underserved, rural older adults with fall-prevention programming,” Jones said. “Fall-prevention programming is greatly needed in West Virginia.”
In 2018, the death rate in West Virginia was significantly higher than the United States average. West Virginia also had the third highest increase in the U.S. in fall-related deaths between 2007 and 2016.
The research team decided to use the TJQMBB program for the intervention because of its known ability to improve balance and reduce falls in older adults. Eighteen churches in Calhoun, Jackson, McDowell, Mercer, Ritchie, Roane and Wyoming counties held classes that were led by trained instructors for 16 weeks.
The participants were aged 55 years or older and 40% had fallen at least once within the past year.
The results indicated that participants improved their fear of falling, mental health function, physical activity level, mobility, balance and leg strength. Participants also reduced their risk of sustaining a fall in the future. Participant satisfaction was high with 87% of participants reporting they would take the exercise class again.
This study implemented a fall-prevention intervention in a new setting. The program was well-received and participants improved their physical function and reduced their risk of future falls. Overall, the study reached older adults at high risk for falls in need of fall-prevention interventions.
Other WVU collaborators included Corrie Mancinelli from the Division of Physical Therapy, and Sijin Wen, from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.