Impact of Tai Chi in Cervical Myelopathy

West Virginia University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Fall Risk; Cervical Myelopathy; Balance Assessment

Treatments: Other: Tai Chi Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06876012

2409042637

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this observational study is to determine if patients with cervical myelopathy who participate in a Tai Chi program will demonstrate improved gait and balance compared to patients who undergo usual care.

Participants must be 18 years or older and have a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy.

Full description

Patients who meet inclusion criteria and choose to participate will be randomized to either participate in a Tai Chi falls-prevention program or continue with usual care. Those in the Tai Chi program will attend a pre-determined number of Tai Chi classes for a period of approximately 6-8 weeks. Investigators will assess their gait and balance at the time of enrollment and at several timepoints after they have participated in the class (similar timepoints for those randomized to usual care).

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of Cervical Myelopathy with planned surgery
• 18 years of age or older
• Able to participate in intervention (attend and participate in classes)

Exclusion criteria

• Wheelchair bound at initial visit
• Other verified potential cause of gait instability/balance problems
• Unable to participate in intervention (unable to attend/participate in classes)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Standard of Care (Control)

No Intervention group

Description:

Subjects will follow the current standard of care procedures utilized by the WVU Spine Center.

Intervention Group (Tai Chi)

Experimental group

Description:

These subjects will participate in 12 sessions of Tai Chi class over the course of 6 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Tai Chi Program