Effect of Baduanjin on Functional Performance in Pre-Frail/Frail Older Adults

Effect of Community-based Baduanjin (八段锦) on Functional Performance in Pre-Frail/Frail Older Adults: A Randomised Controlled Trial

The aim for this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a 16-week realistic community-delivered Baduanjin training program compared to a waitlist control intervention, in improving functional outcomes among pre-frail and frail older adults in Singapore. It is hypothesized that participants that receive 16-week of BDJ training will have significant improvement in physical function (including balance, muscle strength, and endurance); alleviate exhaustion; reduce risk of falling and fear of falling; potentially reverse frailty; reduce depression; and improve quality of life, potentially with greater improvements in area(s) for individuals with lower baseline measures. Whereas, participants in the waitlist control group, will have insignificant changes to their baseline measures.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pre-frail and frail adults aged 55 years and above
• Able to ambulate (move about) without personal assistance and has no other physical limitations affecting participation and adherence
• Able to understand basic instructions
• Generally sedentary lifestyle

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participating in other intervention studies
• Perform regular moderate to vigorous intensity exercise
• Perform regular Taichi or Qigong exercise
• Have severe audio-visual impairment
• Diagnosed with cognitive impairment (e.g. dementia, Alzheimer's Disease) and/or history of neurological disorder (e.g. cerebral palsy, Parkinson's Disease)
• Diagnosed with postural hypotension (have a drop of 20mmHg systolic blood pressure, or a drop of 10mmHg diastolic blood pressure within two to five minutes of standing up, or if standing causes signs and symptoms)
• Unable to participate for the full duration of the study
• Unable to come to the training site by himself/herself or by the help of caregivers
• Not suitable to participate in exercise as deemed by a medical doctor