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

Mass General Brigham

Status: Completed

Conditions: Aging; Fall

Treatments: Device: Tele-Tai Chi

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05209464

2021P002665

Details and patient eligibility

About

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).

Full 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.

Enrollment: 8 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60 to 85 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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8 participants in 1 patient group

Tele-Tai Chi

Experimental group

Description:

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

Treatment:

Device: Tele-Tai Chi