Abstract
Aim: To determine the experience of people with COPD to Tai Chi. Methods: Participants, who finished 12 week short-form Sun-style Tai Chi (SSTC) training program, completed a survey of eight questions. Each question was answered by putting a stroke on a 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale with anchors at either end, ranging from the negative of the question on the left to the positive of the question on the right. The number of supervised training sessions attended and the number of days unsupervised home training practised was reported. Results: Twenty-three participants completed the survey, mean (SD) age 74 (8) years, mean FEV1% predicted 59 (17)%. Participants attended 21 (2) supervised training sessions out of a possible 24 sessions and performed 4 (1) days per week of unsupervised home training. The Table below indicates the results of four survey questions. Conclusion: Participants reported that SSTC was a highly enjoyable exercise which they perceived improved their physical fitness, balance and shortness of breath. Compliance with supervised and unsupervised training was high. Importantly, participants indicated that they would continue Tai Chi as their regular exercise regimen.
- © 2012 ERS
