BACKGROUND: Non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP) is a serious public health problem. Tai Chi is promising in reducing the risk of falls and alleviating symptoms in this population. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Tai Chi on gait and dynamic balance in elderly women with NS-LBP. METHODS: 20 women (age > 65 yr.) with NS-LBP were randomly assigned to a Tai Chi group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). The Tai Chi group practiced Tai Chi exercise 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Each session lasted 60 minutes. Pain, spatiotemporal gait features and dynamic balancing capacity were assessed at 0 and 6 weeks. RESULTS: Compared to the control group at 6 weeks, the Tai Chi group had a significant decrease in VAS (p = 0.027) and stride width (p = 0.019), significant improvement in gait velocity, stride length (p < 0.001). Regarding dynamic balance capacity, the Tai Chi group had significant improvements in anterior (Left: p = 0.001; Right: p = 0.038), postero-lateral (Left: p < 0.001; Right: p = 0.038), and postero-medial (Left: p = 0.015; Right: p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: 6-week Tai Chi can relieve pain and improve gait and dynamic balance in elderly women with NS-LBP, which suggests Tai Chi could be a promising rehabilitation intervention to reduce the risk of falls in this population.

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