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The Effect Of Tai Chi Exercise On Balance And Falls In Persons With Parkinson’S, Beth A. Gladfelter

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that progresses to impair one’s gait and balance, often causing falls and subsequent disability. Current management of PD is aimed at treating the symptoms but is not effective in treating the underlying cause, nor does typical treatment effectively improve postural stability. Exercise can decrease symptoms of the disease and lessen disability. Providers need to find alternatives to the costly physical therapy that is prescribed to treat progressive and debilitating PD. Tai Chi (TC) has been shown to offer an enjoyable exercise routine that participants want to maintain. There is evidence to support the …