Effects of Tai Chi on Multisite Pain and Brain Functions in Older Adults

University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Status: Completed

Conditions: Chronic Pain

Treatments: Behavioral: Tai Chi; Behavioral: Light Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT03086772

R21AG043883 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 54 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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
• Stroke
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Degenerative neuromuscular disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Terminal disease
• Dementing illness

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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54 participants in 2 patient groups

Tai Chi

Experimental group

Description:

Individuals in the Tai Chi intervention group participated in a 12-week Tai Chi program.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Tai Chi

Light Exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

Individuals in the exercise control group performed a 12-week light exercise program.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Light Exercise