Effects of Tai Chi on Multisite Pain and Brain Functions in Older Adults
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain
- Registration Number
- NCT03086772
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Massachusetts, Boston
- Brief Summary
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.
- Detailed Description
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.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 54
- 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.
- Regular Tai Chi practice
- Unstable cardiac disease
- Stroke
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Degenerative neuromuscular disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Terminal disease
- Dementing illness
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Feasibility and acceptability of the 12-week Tai Chi program Over the 12-week intervention period Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated by adherence, attendance, optimal program components, and safety.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Gait mobility Before and after the 12-week intervention period Single-task and dual-task gait function was determined by using the PKMAS software and Zeno walkway.
Fear of falling Before and after the 12-week intervention period Fear of falling was measured using the Tinetti Falls Effi- cacy Scale.
Pain characteristics Before and after the 12-week intervention period Pain severity and interference were evaluated by using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire.
Physical function Before and after the 12-week intervention period Physical function was measured by using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
Rate of falls Over the 12-week intervention and 6 months following the intervention Rate of falls were recorded by using monthly fall calendars.
Cognition Before and after the 12-week intervention period Attention was evaluated by using the Test of Everyday Attention (TEA) questionnaire. Executive function was evaluated by using the Trailmaking A and B tests questionnaire.
Pain-related biomarkers Before and after the 12-week intervention period Levels of inflammatory markers and beta endorphin were determined by using biochemistry assays.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Massachusetts, Boston
🇺🇸Boston, Massachusetts, United States
University of Massachusetts, Boston🇺🇸Boston, Massachusetts, United States