Feasibility Study of Tai Chi for Cognitively Impaired Older Adults (TCM)

Chungnam National University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cognitive Impairment

Treatments: Behavioral: Tai Chi for memory

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05629650

ChungnamNU3

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the feasibility of a 12-week program of Tai Chi for memory (TCM) among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia and to determine the effects of TCM on physical functioning, depression, and health-related QoL. Two experimental groups will be recruited for inclusion criteria of community-residing older adults with a diagnosis of either MCI or Dementia.

Full description

The purpose of the study are to determine the acceptability of a 12-week program of Tai Chi for memory (TCM) among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia; and to determine the effects of TCM on physical functioning, depression, and health-related QoL.

A quasi-experimental design was used with two groups classified according to the level of their cognitive impairment (MCI vs. Dementia).

Depression, health-related QoL, and physical functioning including grip strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility were measured before and after the 12-week TCM program.

Depression was measured using the Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale.

Health-related QoL was measured using the 12-item Short Form survey (SF-12). Grip strength was assessed using a digital hand dynamometer. Flexibility was assessed using the standard sit-and-reach test. Balance was measured using the one-leg-standing balance test. Mobility was assessed using the timed up and go test. Paired and independent t-tests will be used to compare the effects of TCM within and between groups.

Enrollment: 41 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 75 to 90 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• community-residing older adults aged 75 years or older,
• registered at the public dementia prevention centers for dementia screening by health professionals with the diagnosis of either MCI or dementia,
• Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K) score of 22 or lower,
• agreed to participate in the Tai Chi program twice a week for 12 weeks.

Exclusion criteria

• participated in any formal regular exercise program during the previous 6 months, and

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

41 participants in 1 patient group

Tai Chi for memory

Experimental group

Description:

TCM is a standardized type of Tai Chi for health developed by Dr. Lam specifically for those who experience or want to prevent cognitive problems. TCM, consisting of 12 Sun-style and Yang-style Tai Chi movements, can be provided while sitting and while standing with five blocked movement sets so that cognitively impaired individuals (MCI vs. dementia) are able to follow them.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Tai Chi for memory