Effects of Tai Chi on Multisite Pain and Brain Functions in Older Adults

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

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

54 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2014-05-31

Study Completion Date

2017-04-30

Brief Summary

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The main purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week Tai Chi program for community-dwelling older adults with chronic multisite pain and a history of falling. In addition, the investigators examined the effects of Tai Chi on pain characteristics, cognition, physical function, gait mobility, levels of pain-related biomarkers, fear of falling and rate of falls in these older adults.

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Detailed Description

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Older adults aged ≥65 years with multisite pain who reported falling in the past year or current use of an assistive device were recruited from Boston area communities. Participants were randomized to either a Tai Chi (N=28) or a light physical exercise (N=26) program, offered twice weekly for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability of the 12-week Tai Chi/light exercise program. Secondary outcomes included pain characteristics (pain severity and pain interference), cognition (attention and executive function), physical function (walking speed, strength, and balance), gait mobility (singe-task and dual-task gait), levels of pain-related markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and beta endorphin), fear of falling, and rate of falls.

Conditions

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Chronic Pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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Tai Chi

Individuals in the Tai Chi intervention group participated in a 12-week Tai Chi program.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Tai Chi

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals in the Tai Chi intervention group will participate in a 12-week Tai Chi program (one hour per class, two classes per week, plus home practice for 12 weeks) led by an experienced Tai Chi Instructor, assisted by an undergraduate research assistant.

Light Exercise

Individuals in the exercise control group performed a 12-week light exercise program.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Light Exercise

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Individuals in the exercise control group will meet for a twice weekly class involving walking, weight training, stretching and health education (one hour per class, two classes per week for 12 weeks, taught by a trained graduate research assistant, assisted by an undergraduate research assistant.

Interventions

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Tai Chi

Individuals in the Tai Chi intervention group will participate in a 12-week Tai Chi program (one hour per class, two classes per week, plus home practice for 12 weeks) led by an experienced Tai Chi Instructor, assisted by an undergraduate research assistant.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Light Exercise

Individuals in the exercise control group will meet for a twice weekly class involving walking, weight training, stretching and health education (one hour per class, two classes per week for 12 weeks, taught by a trained graduate research assistant, assisted by an undergraduate research assistant.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age of 65 years and older
* Multisite (2 or more sites) musculoskeletal pain
* At least one fall in the past year, or currently on an assistive device
* A sedentary lifestyle
* Be able to walk 20-feet without personal assistance
* Be able to communicate in English.

Exclusion Criteria

* Regular Tai Chi practice
* Unstable cardiac disease
* Stroke
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Degenerative neuromuscular disease
* Parkinson's disease
* Terminal disease
* Dementing illness

Minimum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No