Tai Chi: a possible way to reduce cardiac risk factors in firefighters

Transcription

1 Tai Chi: a possible way to reduce cardiac risk factors in firefighters Jane Christianson, RN, MSN, PI Dissertation Committee: L. Sue Davis, RN, PhD Amit Bhattacharya, PhD Kermit Davis, PhD Tracey Yap, RN, PhD John C. Schafer, PhD

2 Background According to the United States Fire Association 2009 report, Firefighting is the Nation s most dangerous and hazardous job, with heart attacks, high stress levels, sprains and strains all too common (p. iv.). In the US, 1 in 4 die from coronary heart disease (CHD) In firefighters, CHD accounts for 39% of the occupational fatalities (Drew-Nord, Hong, & Froelicher, 2009; Geibe, Holder, Peeples, Kinney, Burgess, & Kales, 2008; Lund, Taylor, & Herbold, 2001).

3 Background (cont.) Physical fitness is the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, with ample energy to enjoy leisure-time pursuits and respond to emergencies (Drew-Norton, et al.,2010,). Increasing the physical fitness of individuals can result in many health benefits such as: reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and obesity, while improving physical strength, and delaying the onset of chronic health problems.

4 Tai Chi Tai Chi is a low-impact martial art that has been used to promote health in various populations such as children and adults. Tai Chi movements are modeled from animal and bird movements and are used to improve health, breathing, strength, and endurance without adverse physical effects (Horowitz, 2009). Studies have provided strong evidence of how Tai Chi has greatly improved cardiac risk factors in individuals who are healthy and at high risk for cardiac disorders.

5 Study Aims To determine if Tai Chi was beneficial in reducing cardiac risk factors within the firefighter s population of Cincinnati. To determine if Tai Chi was beneficial in improving physiological endurance in lower body strength and balance.

6 Tai Chi Video

7 Subjects PI received permission to recruit firefighters from both the district management and local union associated with the fire stations operated by the City of Cincinnati. 60 firefighters were recruited from the 6 of the larger stations (58 men 2 women) Ages: Stations included: Stations 14, 17, 21, 23, 29, and 32

8 Method Repeated measure, quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted. All subjects were given the opportunity to receive Tai Chi lessons by a Master Instructor, once a week over a 10 week period at their worksite. Each the participating fire stations received a DVD and an illustrated book of Tai Chi movements to be used as resource and facilitate group practice. Participants were given a booklet for practice away from work.

9 Data Collected Demographic information Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery (OFER) was compiled at the beginning and end of study. Blood pressure, pulse, lower body strength, and percentage of body fat was collected at the beginning of the study, at midpoint, and the completion of the study. Balance was measured at the beginning and after completion of the study. The Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory was collect with final measurements.

10 Obstacles Because of brown-outs Kelly days and transfers 27 participants were not able to participate in the Tai Chi study. They remained in the study as the control group. 32 firefighter s were in the intervention group. Balance data has not been included in the preliminary analysis Ashu Mani performed the balance testing

11 Force Plate Testing

12 Paired Samples Test Preliminary Data Results - Control Paired Differences 95% Confidence Interval of the Std. Error Mean Std. Deviation Mean Difference Lower Upper t df Sig. (2-tailed) Pair 1 Heart rate 1 - Heart rate Pair 2 Heart rate 1 - Heart rate Pair 3 Heart rate 2 - Heart rate Pair 4 Systolic BP 3 - Systolic BP Pair 5 Systolic BP 3 - Systolic BP 3 Pair 6 Systolic BP 2 - Systolic BP 3 Pair 7 Diastolic BP 1 - Diastolic BP 2 Pair 8 Diastolic BP 1 - Diastolic BP 3 Pair 9 Diastolic BP 2 - Diastolic BP 3 Pair 10 Wall squat 1 - Wall squat Pair 11 Wall squat 1 - Wall squat Pair 12 Wall squat 2 - Wall squat Pair 13 Body fat 1 - Body fat Pair 14 Body fat 1 - Body fat Pair 15 Body fat 2 - Body fat Pair 16 CF 1 - CF Pair 17 AF 1 - AF

13 Paired Samples Test Paired Differences 95% Confidence Interval of Std. Error Mean Pair 1 Heart rate 1 - Heart rate Std. Deviation Mean the Difference Lower Upper t df Sig. (2-tailed) Pair 2 Heart rate 1 - Heart rate 3 Pair 3 Heart rate 2 - Heart rate 3 Pair 4 Systolic BP 3 - Systolic BP 2 Pair 5 Systolic BP 3 - Systolic BP 3 Pair 6 Systolic BP 2 - Systolic BP 3 Pair 7 Diastolic BP 1 - Diastolic BP 2 Pair 8 Diastolic BP 1 - Diastolic BP 3 Pair 9 Diastolic BP 2 - Diastolic BP 3 Pair 10 Wall squat 1 - Wall squat 2 Pair 11 Wall squat 1 - Wall squat 3 Pair 12 Wall squat 2 - Wall squat 3 Pair 13 Body fat 1 - Body fat Pair 14 Body fat 1 - Body fat Pair 15 Body fat 2 - Body fat

14 Culture

15 R2P and Discussion Prestigious medical establishments such as Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic have endorsed Tai Chi as an effective, low cost way to reduce stress related disorders, reduce absenteeism and boost creativity in the work place Locally The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati Reds and NIOSH offer Tai Chi to their employee Publishing the results of the study could result in Tai Chi offerings at the worksite

16 Acknowledgement This research study was (partially) supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Pilot Research Project Training Program of the University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center Grant #T42/OH