Du Yan, Roberts Penny, Liu Wei
School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.
Department of Music, Loyola University, New Orleans, LA, United States.
Asian Pac Isl Nurs J. 2023 Jan 23;7:e42195. doi: 10.2196/42195.
Numerous studies have documented the beneficial effects of Tai Chi on a variety of health outcomes, especially in older adults. However, only few studies have examined how to improve the practice and adherence of this Asian-originated exercise among older adults in Western countries.
This study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to Tai Chi practice and adherence in community-dwelling older adults.
This study analyzed the qualitative data collected from 13 participants (mean age 62.0, SD 10.3) at the end of a 15-week randomized controlled trial conducted at a day activity senior center. Semistructured interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed; and the data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
Four themes emerged: perceived benefit, threats, facilitators, and barriers. Perceived threats (eg, aging and side effects of medications) and perceived benefits of Tai Chi (eg, balance) inspired participants' engagement in Tai Chi exercise. On the other hand, barriers to Tai Chi practice and adherence included instructor's teaching style, the complexity of Tai Chi postures and movements, and existing health conditions (eg, hip problems). In essence, factors like Tai Chi class availability, family and peer support, as well as practicing Tai Chi with music may facilitate Tai Chi exercise adherence.
The study findings could provide valuable information to health professionals, such as nurses and physical therapists, in developing and implementing effective Tai Chi programs in care plans. Considering health conditions, tailoring Tai Chi exercise instruction styles, encouraging social and peer support, and incorporating music may promote Tai Chi practice and adherence.
众多研究已证明太极拳对各种健康状况具有有益影响，尤其是对老年人。然而，仅有少数研究探讨了如何在西方国家的老年人中提高这种源自亚洲的运动的练习和坚持程度。
本研究旨在确定社区居住老年人练习太极拳及坚持下去的促进因素和障碍。
本研究分析了在日间活动老年中心进行的一项为期15周的随机对照试验结束时从13名参与者（平均年龄62.0，标准差10.3）收集的定性数据。进行了半结构化访谈、录音并转录；然后使用归纳主题分析法对数据进行分析。
出现了四个主题：感知到的益处、威胁、促进因素和障碍。感知到的威胁（如衰老和药物副作用）以及太极拳的感知益处（如平衡）激发了参与者参与太极拳锻炼。另一方面，太极拳练习和坚持的障碍包括教练的教学风格、太极拳姿势和动作的复杂性以及现有的健康状况（如髋部问题）。本质上，诸如太极拳课程的可获得性、家庭和同伴支持以及伴着音乐练习太极拳等因素可能促进对太极拳锻炼的坚持。
研究结果可为健康专业人员，如护士和物理治疗师，在制定和实施护理计划中的有效太极拳项目时提供有价值的信息。考虑健康状况、量身定制太极拳练习指导风格、鼓励社会和同伴支持以及融入音乐可能会促进太极拳的练习和坚持。
