This document discusses a study that examined the effects and perceptions of Tai Chi among Hispanic older adults with type 2 diabetes. The study found that Tai Chi led to improvements in balance, reductions in blood pressure and sleep disturbance. Participants reported that Tai Chi made them feel relaxed after only 10 minutes. While most described Tai Chi positively as "different", "relaxing" and "healthy", many indicated they would not continue it after the study due to time constraints. The conclusions were that Tai Chi decreased blood pressure and increased balance, while decreasing sleep disturbances. Participants' perceptions of Tai Chi were positive overall.

1. Morgan Tyree_
T32 Summer
Research Trainee_
DPT Student
Mentors: Jason Rucker, PT, PhD
Patricia Kluding, PT, PhD

2. Background
 ADAPT study
 How does exercise affect a diabetic patient?
 220 million with Type 2 diabetes
 60-70% with peripheral neuropathy
Cavegn, E.I. and Riskowski, J.L. The effects of Tai Chi on peripheral
somatosensation, balance, and fitness in Hispanic older adults with
type 2 diabetes: a pilot and feasibility study.

3. Objective
 What are the effects and perceptions of Tai Chi?
 Improve balance
 Encourage stress relief
 Is it weird??

4. Tai Chi Questionnaire
 Results:
 “Different”, “Relaxing”, “Healthy”
 After only 10 minutes
 Participants felt more relaxed
 Claimed to like Tai Chi exercise
 But, many won’t continue after study
Why? Time.

5. Tai Chi Questionnaire
 1/3 were NOT aware of balance benefits
 2/3 were NOT aware of reduction in fall risk

6. Perceptions
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Subject 1 Subject 2 Subject 3 Subject 4
Attendance

7. Effects
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
HR before HR after
Heart Rates
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
BP before BP after
Systolic Blood Pressures

8. Effects
0
4
8
12
16
20
24
28
Subject 1 Subject 2 Subject 3
Mini-BESTest
Baseline
3 months

9. MOS Sleep Scale
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Baseline 3 months
Sleep Disturbance
Subject 1
Subject 2
Subject 3
Average
Spritzer, K. L., Hays, R. D. MOS sleep scale:
a manual for use and scoring, version 1.0.
November 2003

10. MOS Sleep Scale
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Baseline 3 months
Sleep Adequacy
Subject 1
Subject 2
Subject 3
Average

11. Conclusions
 Decreased BP?
 Increased balance
 Decreased sleep
 Positive Perceptions!

12. Thank You!
 Dr. Rucker
 Dr. Kluding
 ADAPT team
 T32

13. QUESTIONNAIRE
How would you describe Tai Chi before you started/tried it? Circle all that apply:
Slow Repetitive Stress-Relieving
Form of Exercise Healthy Not for me
Foreign Weird Hard
Different Form of Martial Arts Easy
Other:
How would you describe Tai Chi now? Circle all that apply:
Slow Repetitive Stress-Relieving
Form of Exercise Healthy Not for me
Foreign Weird Hard
Different Form of Martial Arts Easy
Other:
What motivates you to do Tai Chi?
What prohibits you from doing Tai Chi?
What do you like about Tai Chi?
What do you not like about Tai Chi?
Did you know that balance can be improved through Tai Chi? Circle answer: Yes / No
Did you know that risk of fall can be reduced through Tai Chi? Circle answer: Yes / No
On a scale of 1-7, how tired does Tai Chi make you feel?
Not Tired Extremely
Tired
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
On a scale of 1-7, how relaxed does Tai Chi make you feel?
Not
Relaxed
Extremely
Relaxed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
On a scale of 1-7, how much do you like Tai Chi?
Not at all I like it very
much
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
On a scale of 1-7, how often do you perform Tai Chi at home?
Never Once or
twice each
month
Every Day
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
On a scale of 1-7, how likely are you to continue Tai Chi after the study?
I won’t
continue
Tai Chi
I will
continue Tai
Chi every
day
1 2 3 4 5 6 7