Implementing an Online Virtual Falls Prevention Intervention During a Public Health Pandemic for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Feasibility Trial

Figures & data

Table 1 Baseline Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of the Study Population

Characteristic	Tai Ji Quan (n = 15)	Stretching Exercise (n = 15)
Age, mean (SD), y	76.13 (6.2)	76.20 (6.3)
Sex, No. (%)
Men	6 (40.0)	3 (20.0)
Women	9 (60.0)	12 (80.0)
Race, No. (%)
White	14 (93.3)	13 (86.7)
Others	1 (6.7)	2 (13.3)
Educational level, No. (%)
High school diploma or lower	6 (40.0)	7 (46.7)
College degree or higher	9 (60.0)	8 (53.3)
Self-reported health status, No. (%)
Poor or very poor	4 (26.7)	5 (33.3)
Good or fair	9 (60.0)	7 (46.7)
Very good or excellent	2 (13.3)	3 (20.0)
Resting blood pressure, mean (SD), mm Hg
Systolic	135.87 (3.20)	135.07 (3.38)
Diastolic	81.00 (2.85)	79.67 (2.16)
Self-reported falls in previous 6 months, No. (%)
0	5 (33.3)	6 (40.0)
1	8 (53.3)	7 (46.7)
2	1 (6.7)	2 (13.3)
≥3	1 (6.7)	0 (0)
Self-reported chronic conditions, No. (%)
1	8 (53.3)	7 (46.7)
2	5 (33.3)	6 (40.0)
≥3	2 (13.4)	2 (13.3)
Self-reported medication use, No. (%)
None	2 (13.3)	2 (13.3)
1	6 (40.0)	8 (53.3)
2	3 (20.0)	3 (20.0)
≥3	4 (26.7)	2 (13.4)
MMSE	25.07 (0.80)	25.27 (1.03)
GDS, mean (SD)	4.67 (1.23)	4.53 (0.74)

Abbreviations: MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; GDS, Geriatric Depression Scale.

Figure 1 Flow of Participants through the Study.

Table 2 Incidence of Falls and Number of Fallers During the 24-Week Intervention by Intervention Group

Falls	Tai Ji Quan (n = 15)	Stretching Exercise (n = 15)	P-value
Total falls, No. (mean, SD)	15 (1.00, ±1.0)	26 (1.73, ±1.10)	0.07^a
No. of falls, No. (%)
1	4 (26.7)	2 (13.3)
2	8 (26.7)	12 (40.0)
3	3 (6.7)	12 (26.7)	0.28^b
No. of injurious falls (%)^d	2 (13)	3 (20)	0.57^c
Person-months of follow-up, mean	89.25	89.75
Incidence rate (person-months)	0.17	0.29	0.07
Faller, No. (%)	9 (60)	12 (80)	0.43^c

Notes: ^aBased on the difference in means. ^bBased on Pearson Chi-square test. ^cBased on Fisher’s Exact Test. ^dDefined as those that resulted in sprains, strains, contusions, or abrasions.

Table 3 Secondary Outcomes of Balance, Chair Stands, and Walking Performances (Under Single- and Dual-Task Conditions) at Baseline and 6 Months and Group Differences in Change

Outcome	Tai Ji Quan (n = 15)	Stretching Exercise (n = 15)	Between-Group Difference in Mean Changes from Baseline (95% CI)
4-Stage Balance Test, mean (SD), points
Baseline	2.39 (0.49)	2.47 (0.52)
6 months	3.13 (0.52)	2.53 (0.52)	0.68 (0.12 to 1.24)
30-second chair stands, mean (SD), No. of stands
Baseline	11.00 (1.00)	11.40 (1.12)
6 months	13.07 (0.80)	11.60 (1.06)	1.87 (1.15 to 2.58)
Timed Up and Go Test (under single-task condition), mean (SD), seconds
Baseline	13.38 (0.55)	13.41 (0.73)
6 months	11.86 (0.56)	13.04 (0.89)	−1.15 (−1.85 to −0.44)
Timed Up and Go Test (under dual-task condition), mean (SD), seconds
Baseline	16.05 (0.80)	16.29 (0.98)
6 months	14.33 (1.11)	16.92 (1.21)	−2.35 (−3.06 to −1.64)