Evaluation of a Virtual Tai Chi Program for Older Veterans at Risk of Loneliness or Physical Deconditioning: A Quality Improvement Project

This Quality Improvement project evaluated the implementation of a virtual Tai Chi program for older Veterans (OVs) at risk of loneliness and/or physical deconditioning. A 12-week Tai Chi course was conducted virtually at three Veterans Affairs sites using VA Video Connect (VVC). Changes in physical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geriatrics (Basel) 2024-07, Vol.9 (4), p.91
Main Authors: Dawson, Bonnie D, Keller, Hallie E, Sawyer, Linda M, Gorman, Shannon, Sabangan, Jerome A, McPartlin, Adam, Payne, Sarah, Brown, Karl J, Li, Gail, Sullivan, Dennis H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
COVID-19
Digital divide
digital technology
E-health
Enrollments
Exercise
Health aspects
Loneliness
Medical screening
older adults
Older people
Pandemics
Participation
Quality improvement
Smartphones
T'ai chi ch'uan
Tai Chi
telehealth
Telemedicine
VA Video Connect (VVC)
Veterans
virtual
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Summary:This Quality Improvement project evaluated the implementation of a virtual Tai Chi program for older Veterans (OVs) at risk of loneliness and/or physical deconditioning. A 12-week Tai Chi course was conducted virtually at three Veterans Affairs sites using VA Video Connect (VVC). Changes in physical function based on the 30-Second Chair Stand (30CST) and loneliness based on the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGS) were measured, as were the OVs' satisfaction and adherence. Of 109 OVs who enrolled, 74 completed the program with a mean attendance rate of 84%. Completers demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the 30CST, and those who were moderately or severely lonely at baseline saw a statistically significant improvement in the DJGS. Course evaluations were generally very positive. Results suggest that a virtual Tai Chi program is an effective and very satisfying intervention for OVs at risk of loneliness or physical deconditioning.
ISSN:2308-3417
2308-3417
DOI:10.3390/geriatrics9040091