Evaluation of the Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program

University of North Carolina (UNC)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Arthritis

Treatments: Behavioral: Evaluation of the Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01184924

08-1048

Details and patient eligibility

About

The primary goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of the arthritis foundation (AF) Tai Chi Program for People with Arthritis. Arthritis, the most prevalent chronic condition in the US and a leading cause of disability, is characterized by chronic pain and progressive impairment of joints and soft tissues. Promoting physical activity is a key public health strategy to addressing arthritis management, but more scientific data regarding effectiveness and feasibility are need to support the promotion of the AF Tai Chi Program as an exercise intervention for people with arthritis.

Enrollment: 358 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Self-Reported doctor diagnosed arthritis
• Age 18 years or older
• Able to move independently without assistance

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy
• Non-English speaking
• Cognitive impairment
• Serious medical conditions: History of MI, stroke, prescribed beta-blockers, surgery in past 6 months, uncontrolled hypertension, chest pain, diabetes mellitus
• Severe impairment of physical functioning
• Participation in Tai Chi exercise in last 3 months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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358 participants in 2 patient groups

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Usual Care only. Usual care is defined as the care these subjects would like to seek from any health care practitioner or other program they may seek for healthy living. The subjects in this arm will be offered the AF Tai Chi intervention after an 8 week followup data collection

Tai Chi

Experimental group

Description:

Usual care plus Tai Chi. These subjects will be allowed to seek care from any health practitioner or any other programs and will receive the AF Tai Chi program for 8 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Evaluation of the Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program