A Mobile Tai Chi Platform for Fall Prevention and Cognition in Older Adults

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: The investigators will assess feasibility and acceptability of the Tele-Tai Chi (TC) intervention; explore changes in clinically relevant outcome measures including: physical activity, self-efficacy, quality of life, cognitive function, balance, gait, and evaluate changes in TC proficiency. To achieve this, the investigators are running a single-arm study for older adults that involves a 12-week home-based Tai Chi intervention. Study participation includes four remote and/or in-person (at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital) visits to evaluate study participants (mobility tests and questionnaires).

Detailed Description: The overall goal of the study is to test the delivery of a novel Tele-Tai Chi (TC) intervention in a single-arm feasibility study for community-dwelling TC-naïve older adults. The investigators will assess feasibility and acceptability of the Tele-TC intervention and its specific components through both qualitative and quantitative feedback, as well as the systematic tracking of adherence data to inform future trials and potential clinical use of the Tele-TC system. The investigators will also explore changes in outcome measures including physical activity, self-efficacy, quality of life, cognition, balance and gait, and evaluate changes in TC proficiency.

Participants will be assessed at 4 timepoints over the course of the 12-week Tele-TC intervention: at baseline, at 4 weeks, at 8 weeks, and at 12 weeks.

Study participants will be instructed to train on their own at least three times a week and to participate in one-on-one live sessions with TC instructors two or more times during the study period.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Men and women between 60 and 85 years old
Naïve to Tai-Chi practice (never practiced TC)
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score between 17 and 13.
Self-reported ability to walk continuously for 15 minutes without an assistive device
Working email address
Prior experience with and current access to a computer, smart phone or tablet device

Exclusion Criteria

Chronic neuromuscular conditions (e.g. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke)
Acute medical conditions requiring hospitalization within the past 6 months or that could interfere with safely participating in the study
Active cancer
Significant musculoskeletal conditions requiring chronic use of pain medication
Significant cognitive impairment (Diagnosed with dementia (self-reported), or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)-Blind score < 13)

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Tele-Tai Chi	Tele-Tai Chi	Study participants will follow a 12-week simplified Tele-Tai-Chi (TC) program delivered via a mobile application.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Protocol Adherence	Percentage at post-intervention (after 12 weeks)	The percentage of Tele-Tai-Chi practice sessions completed by participants.
System Usability Scale	At post-intervention (after 12 weeks)	The scale is based on a 10-item questionnaire with five response options (from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree) in which participants rate the usability of the system. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater usability.
Retention of Study Participants	At study completion, 12 weeks from the beginning of the study	The percentage of participants who complete the study.