Analyzing the influence of the combination of monochromatic infrared energy and tai chi exercise improve balance in community-dwelling older adults with lower-extremity disease: a double-blinded randomized controlled study

– OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacyz of a combination of MIRE exposure and Tai Chi exercise on balance and fall risk in community-dwelling older adults with lower-extremity disease (LED). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this double-blinded randomized controlled study, 49 older adults were randomly allocated into the MIRE group (n=25), in which the participants were exposed to 30 min of MIRE and performed 40-45 min of Tai Chi exercise, three sessions/week; and the sham group (n=24), in which the participants only performed the Tai Chi exercise. We measured the ankle/brachial index (ABI), as well as scores of the Berg balance scale (BBS), Tinetti clinical scale (TCS), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) before and after 3-months of intervention. RESULTS: A significant increase in ABI and scores of BBS, and TCS, was observed, along with a significant decrease in TUG scores in the MIRE group. The sham group showed a significant increase in the ABI, and TCS score, and a significant decrease in the TUG score, with a non-significant change in the BBS score. Comparison between both study groups illustrated that the patients in the MIRE group experienced improved balance and decreased fall risk. CONCLUSIONS: Three months of MIRE exposure and Tai Chi exercise improved balance and reduced the risk of falls in community-dwelling older adults with LEDs.