Effects of Tai Chi on Multisite Pain and Brain Functions in Older Adults
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain
- Sponsor
- University of Massachusetts, Boston
- Enrollment
- 54
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Feasibility and acceptability of the 12-week Tai Chi program
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 7 years ago
Overview
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.
Investigators
Tongjian You
Associate Professor
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Eligibility Criteria
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
- •Rheumatoid arthritis
- •Degenerative neuromuscular disease
- •Parkinson's disease
- •Terminal disease
- •Dementing illness
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Feasibility and acceptability of the 12-week Tai Chi program
Time Frame: Over the 12-week intervention period
Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated by adherence, attendance, optimal program components, and safety.
Secondary Outcomes
- Gait mobility(Before and after the 12-week intervention period)
- Fear of falling(Before and after the 12-week intervention period)
- Pain characteristics(Before and after the 12-week intervention period)
- Physical function(Before and after the 12-week intervention period)
- Rate of falls(Over the 12-week intervention and 6 months following the intervention)
- Cognition(Before and after the 12-week intervention period)
- Pain-related biomarkers(Before and after the 12-week intervention period)