Tai Ji Quan with thinking tasks to prevent falls for older adults with mild memory problems
Dual-Task Training Exercise to Reduce Falls in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Older adults with mild cognitive impairment will take part in a Tai Ji Quan program that combines balance movements with mental tasks to help reduce falls.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Springfield, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11012419 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a tailored Tai Ji Quan (tai chi) program that adds 'dual-task' mental challenges to the balance and movement exercises. Classes run for six months and are designed specifically for people with mild cognitive impairment to practice balancing while doing attention or memory tasks. The study compares this dual-task program against traditional Tai Ji Quan to see which approach leads to fewer falls. Sessions may be offered in person at the Oregon Research Institute or via e-health/online delivery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are community-dwelling older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment who can stand and walk and are at increased risk of falls.
Not a fit: People with more advanced dementia, severe mobility impairments, or medical conditions that make exercise unsafe may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce the number of falls and related injuries among older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
How similar studies have performed: Small pilot studies and prior work support benefits of Tai Ji Quan with cognitive tasks, but larger definitive randomized trials are still limited.
Where this research is happening
Springfield, UNITED STATES
- Oregon Research Institute — Springfield, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Fuzhong — Oregon Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Li, Fuzhong
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.