Association of Tai Chi exercise with physical and neurocognitive functions, frailty, quality of life and mortality in older adults: Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study. (5th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Shuen Yee; Nyunt, Ma Shwe Zin; Gao, Qi; Gwee, Xinyi; Chua, Denise Qian Ling; Yap, Keng Bee; Wee, Shiou Liang; Ng, Tze Pin
• Is Part Of: Age and ageing. Volume 51:Number 4(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04-05
• Subjects: Taiji -- mind–body -- multidimensional frailty -- observational study -- long-term -- cognitive -- older people; Aging -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac086
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-0729

Abstract

Abstract: Background: real-world observations on the long-term benefits of Tai Chi (TC) exercise, in terms of physical and cognitive functioning, frailty, quality of life (QOL) and mortality are lacking. Methods: prospective cohort study participants were community-dwelling adults aged 55+, including 5, 407 non-frequent TC participants (<1x/week) and 572 frequent TC participants (≥1x/week). Outcome measures at baseline and 3–5 years follow-up included physical performance (Knee Extension Strength, POMA Balance and Gait, Timed-up-and-go, Gait Speed) and neurocognitive performance (attention and working memory, visual-motor tracking and mental flexibility, verbal learning and memory, visual memory, spatial and constructional ability), Frailty Index ≥0.10, impaired QOL (SF12 physical and mental component) and all-cause mortality from mean 13 years follow-up. Effect estimates were adjusted for socio-demographics, other physical activities, nutritional risk and presence of cardiometabolic diseases. Results: frequent TC participation was associated with 0.7-fold lower prevalence of impaired physical QOL [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.57–0.91], decreased 0.4-fold odds of incident prefrailty/frailty among robust participants at baseline and 0.7-fold odds of impaired mental QOL at follow-up among participants with normal mental QOL at baseline. Lower odds of mortality risk (HR = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.72–1.09) were not significant after controlling for socioeconomic, behavioural and health factors. Composite indexes of physical functional and neurocognitive performance were maintained at high level or increased at follow-up among frequent TC participants. Conclusion: TC exercise practised among community-dwelling older adults is associated with better physical, cognitive and functional wellbeing.