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Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Innate and Adaptive Immune Function

NCT ID: NCT00172679

Last Updated: 2007-09-27

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2005-07-31

Study Completion Date

2006-06-30

Brief Summary

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Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial art that has been practiced for many centuries. Improvements in cardiorespiratory function, balance, muscular strength, flexibility in older subjects; preventing falls in the frail elderly; stress reduction, and mood state with Tai Chi practices have been well established. A potential immune response effect of Tai Chi practice is a frequent claim; however, this is an under-researched area. Therefore, in this study, the researchers will examine the effects of Tai Chi on innate and adaptive immune function.

Detailed Description

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Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art that has been practiced for many centuries, has only recently gained the interest of researchers in Western countries as an alternative form of exercise. Tai Chi combines deep diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation with many fundamental postures that flow imperceptibly and smoothly from one to the other through slow, gentle, and graceful movements. Based on the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) measured during the practice, Tai Chi is characterized as a low- to moderate-intensity form of exercise. Tai Chi has been applied as a rehabilitation program in patients with heart failure, hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Improvements in cardiorespiratory function, balance, muscular strength, flexibility in older subjects; preventing falls in the frail elderly; stress reduction, and mood state with Tai Chi practices have been well established. A potential immune response effect of Tai Chi practice is a frequent claim; however, this is an under-researched area. A nonrandomized controlled study of 60 elderly subjects found that the total number of circulating T cells were significantly higher in the Tai Chi group (who regularly practiced Tai Chi for 4 or more years) than in the untrained group. Irwin et al. demonstrated that older adults with no previous Tai Chi experience after practicing for 15 wks (1-3 times/wk), a nearly 50% increase in varicella zoster virus specific, cell-mediated immunity was found. Thus in this proposed study, we will examine the effects of regular Tai Chi practitioners on innate and adaptive immune function.

Conditions

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Healthy

Keywords

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Tai Chi NK Cells T lymphocytes Exercise

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

DEFINED_POPULATION

Study Time Perspective

OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Has been practicing Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) for at least 3 days a week for at least 12 months.

Exclusion Criteria

* Any chronic systemic diseases (e.g., coronary artery disease \[CAD\])
* Has cognitive impairments.
Minimum Eligible Age

30 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role collaborator

National Taiwan University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Principal Investigators

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Li-Ying Wang, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

National Taiwan University, College of Medicine

Locations

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School & Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, NTU

Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan

Site Status RECRUITING

National Taiwan University Hospital

Taipei, , Taiwan

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Countries

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Taiwan

Central Contacts

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Li-Ying Wang, Ph.D.

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 886-223123456

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Li-Ying Wang, Ph.D.

Role: primary

Li-Ying Wang, Ph.D.

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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9361701225

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id