The purpose of this study was to determine the comparative effectiveness of Tai Chi LEM (TC LEM) and the 8-form Tai Chi (8-form TC), relative to a stretching control group in improving balance, functional mobility, ankle proprioception, and ankle and hip muscle strength among older adults.

Ninety participants (79.2 ± 6.2 years) were recruited from assisted living facilities. All participants were randomly assigned into TC LEM group (n = 29), 8-form TC group (n = 30) and stretching control group (n = 31), where they received TC LEM training, 8-form TC training, and stretching training for 16 weeks, respectively. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, center of pressure (COP) measurements in quiet stance, ankle proprioception and ankle/hip strength torque were collected during pretest and posttest sessions. Non-inferiority tests were conducted to compare the change scores on the BBS and TUG test between the 2 intervention groups, respectively. Two-way ANOVAs with repeated measures were conducted to compare all the measurements before and after training among 3 groups.

The upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of differences of change score of BBS (-1.0 – 1.3 points) between TC LEM group and 8-form TC group was within equivalence margins (1.8 points), while the upper limit of the 95% CI of differences of change score of TUG test (0.2 – 2.2 s) exceeded the equivalence margin (0.7 s).

Significant improvements were found in BBS (P = 0.009), TUG test (P = 0.001), root mean square amplitude of COP displacement in anterior-posterior/medial-lateral directions (P = 0.001;​ P = 0.001), average speed of COP movement in anterior-posterior/medial-lateral directions (P = 0.001;​ P = 0.001), ankle proprioception (P = 0.001), ankle strength (P = 0.001;​ P = 0.032) and hip strength (P = 0.001) after training in the intervention groups compared to the stretching control group.

TC LEM can improve balance, functional mobility, ankle proprioception, and ankle/hip muscle strength in older adults, and may have similar to better effects as the 8-form TC on improving balance and functional mobility in this age group.