The Effects of Tai Chi on Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

NCT ID: NCT06717828

Last Updated: 2024-12-05

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

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

250 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-11-01

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a liver condition primarily driven by metabolic dysfunctions that may progress to hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is also implicated in the development of other metabolic dysfunction-related diseases. MAFLD has emerged as a growing public health concern in China. Despite its potential benefits, Tai Chi exercise has not been widely adopted for individuals with MAFLD, and there is limited research investigating its therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a structured Tai Chi intervention on middle-aged and elderly individuals with MAFLD.

Methods: The study employs a comprehensive open, randomized, parallel, and controlled design. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated into three groups: Tai Chi, conventional exercise, and control. A total of 250 participants will be enrolled, comprising 100 participants each for the Tai Chi and conventional exercise groups and 50 for the control group. Both the Tai Chi and conventional exercise groups will participate in a structured 6-month exercise program. During the intervention, both groups will also receive regular health education on fatty liver disease. Participants will be encouraged to maintain their usual activities but will be advised against starting new exercise regimens. The control group will receive only health education on fatty liver disease. The primary efficacy endpoint is the change in hepatic triglyceride content measured via validated imaging techniques after 6 months. Secondary endpoints include changes in total body fat, waist circumference, body weight, blood pressure, blood lipids, blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, pancreatic beta-cell function, kidney function, and pulse wave velocity. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention.

Discussion: Tai Chi exercises demonstrate therapeutic potential in reducing intrahepatic fat content, promoting weight loss, and mitigating cardiovascular risk factors. Furthermore, their efficacy appears superior to that of conventional exercise modalities.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Keywords

Explore important study keywords that can help with search, categorization, and topic discovery.

MAFLD Tai Chi Intrahepatic Fat Content

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

The study design utilizes an open, randomized, parallel, controlled approach. A total of 250 middle-aged and elderly subjects with metabolic associated fatty liver disease are recruited. Participants are randomly assigned in a 2:2:1 ratio to the Tai Chi group, conventional exercise group, and control group, with the entire intervention period lasting for 6 months.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
All subjects will undergo all the prescribed baseline assessments before being randomized into groups. The personnel conducting the clinical endpoint assessments will be blinded; they will not be aware of the trial group assignments of the subjects during the measurement of clinical endpoints.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Tai Chi Exercise

Tai Chi Exercise program, five times a week .

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Tai Chi Exercise

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Tai Chi is a moderate-intensity exercise suitable for middle-aged and elderly individuals. Participants will engage in the practice five times a week (three sessions will be in-person teaching, and two will be online), with each session lasting 60 minutes, continuing until the end of a six-month follow-up. Before the intervention begins, participants will receive a manual or instructional video on Tai Chi to understand its principles, practice techniques, and safety precautions. Each class will start with a warm-up and include a review of Tai Chi principles and movements, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods. Participants will document their Tai Chi practice over 24 weeks by submitting exercise weekly logs, while researchers will monitor their exercise progress weekly via phone using standardized forms to assess frequency, completion status, adverse events, and adherence.

Regular Physical Activity

Each exercise session lasts for 60 minutes, five days a week.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Regular Exercise

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The intervention for middle-aged and elderly individuals includes a combination of common activities: 15 minutes of walking, 15 minutes of body coordination activities (including limb movements and balance training), 15 minutes of muscle stretching, and 15 minutes of relaxation. Each exercise session lasts for 60 minutes, conducted five days a week. The heart rate during exercise will be adjusted based on monthly fitness assessments, and the daily activity level will be evaluated through logs and fitness trackers.

Control

Conduct health education on fatty liver once every two months.

Group Type OTHER

Control

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

All participants will be advised not to change their existing lifestyle habits and will only receive health education related to fatty liver throughout the intervention. The educational methods will include large group sessions, individual education, and telephone follow-ups, conducted every two months. Additionally, dietary and exercise assessments will be carried out during the intervention, with dietary intake recorded using a three-day food diary to track daily calorie consumption.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Tai Chi Exercise

Tai Chi is a moderate-intensity exercise suitable for middle-aged and elderly individuals. Participants will engage in the practice five times a week (three sessions will be in-person teaching, and two will be online), with each session lasting 60 minutes, continuing until the end of a six-month follow-up. Before the intervention begins, participants will receive a manual or instructional video on Tai Chi to understand its principles, practice techniques, and safety precautions. Each class will start with a warm-up and include a review of Tai Chi principles and movements, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods. Participants will document their Tai Chi practice over 24 weeks by submitting exercise weekly logs, while researchers will monitor their exercise progress weekly via phone using standardized forms to assess frequency, completion status, adverse events, and adherence.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Regular Exercise

The intervention for middle-aged and elderly individuals includes a combination of common activities: 15 minutes of walking, 15 minutes of body coordination activities (including limb movements and balance training), 15 minutes of muscle stretching, and 15 minutes of relaxation. Each exercise session lasts for 60 minutes, conducted five days a week. The heart rate during exercise will be adjusted based on monthly fitness assessments, and the daily activity level will be evaluated through logs and fitness trackers.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Control

All participants will be advised not to change their existing lifestyle habits and will only receive health education related to fatty liver throughout the intervention. The educational methods will include large group sessions, individual education, and telephone follow-ups, conducted every two months. Additionally, dietary and exercise assessments will be carried out during the intervention, with dietary intake recorded using a three-day food diary to track daily calorie consumption.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age between 40 and 75 years;
2. Liver fat content measured by mDixon QUANT is ≥5%;
3. Diagnosis of metabolic associated fatty liver disease;
4. Overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m²);
5. Signed written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Excessive alcohol consumption (definition: in the past 6 months, males have consumed more than 140g of alcohol per week, and females have consumed more than 70g);
2. Fatty liver due to other causes: such as alcoholic fatty liver, acute and chronic viral hepatitis, drug-induced hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, etc.;
3. Severe cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction within the past 6 months;
4. Heart failure (NYHA classification: III - IV);
5. Biliary diseases: such as obstructive biliary diseases;
6. Other diseases affecting glucose and lipid metabolism: diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, etc.;
7. Poorly controlled blood pressure: SBP ≥ 180 mmHg, DBP ≥ 100 mmHg;
8. Chronic kidney disease or severe renal impairment, defined as serum creatinine of 135 µmol/L (1.5 mg/dL) for males and 110 µmol/L (1.3 mg/dL) for females;
9. Patients unable to communicate normally, such as those with dementia or cognitive impairment;
10. Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near future;
11. Other conditions preventing participation in follow-up interventions;
12. Other clinical diseases that make participation in exercise unsuitable, such as inability to cooperate with exercise therapy due to severe pain or joint deformities, or the use of medications that may interfere with the assessment of exercise effects (such as corticosteroids, liver protection drugs, etc.), or medications that affect heart rate (such as beta-blockers).
Minimum Eligible Age

40 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Fujian Provincial Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Xiling lLIN

Associate chief physician

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Fujian Provincial Hospital

Fuzhou, Fujian, China

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

China

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Xiling Lin

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

202410081053000483865

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id