Tai Chi Mind-Body Therapy for Fibromyalgia

Tufts University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Fibromyalgia

Treatments: Behavioral: Tai Chi Intervention; Behavioral: Control Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00515008

R21AT003621 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to obtain preliminary data on the effects of Tai Chi on musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep quality, psychological distress, physical performance,and health status in 60 patients with fibromyalgia.

Full description

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common, complex chronic condition marked by diffuse musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, functional impairment, disability, and psychological distress that affects 6-10 million people in the United States (US). There are currently no satisfactory pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatments for FM. New cost-effective strategies that reduce musculoskeletal pain and improve emotional and physical functioning as well as quality of life in people with FM are urgently needed.

Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese discipline with both physical and mental components that appears to benefit a variety of chronic conditions. The physical component provides exercise that is consistent with that recommended for FM (muscle conditioning and aerobic cardiovascular exercise), while the mental component has the potential to improve psychological well-being. These effects are especially pertinent for the treatment of individuals with FM.

This is a pilot randomized controlled trial of Tai Chi for fibromyalgia. We plan to enroll 60 patients with fibromyalgia over a two year period. Participants are randomized to either a Tai Chi program or an attention control intervention. Assessments are performed at baseline, week 12 and week 24. This study will provide preliminary data on the potential acceptability and safety of Tai Chi for FM and will help guide the design of a future large-scale study of the efficacy of this alternative therapy.

Enrollment: 66 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 21+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 21 or older
• Fulfills the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 diagnostic criteria for FM. (1) a history of widespread musculoskeletal pain on the right and left sides of the body as well as above and below the waist for a minimum duration of 3 months, and (2) pain in 11 or more of 18 specific tender points with moderate or greater tenderness reported upon digital palpation.
• Physically able to participate in both the Tai Chi and stretching and education programs according to their primary care physician.
• Willing to complete the 12-week study, including twice-a-week Tai Chi or stretching and education sessions

Exclusion Criteria

• Prior experience with Tai Chi or other similar types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the past 6 months such as Qi gong and yoga since these share some of the principles of Tai Chi
• Any health condition limiting the ability to participate as determined by a primary care physician
• Any other diagnosed medical condition that is known to contribute to FM symptomatology that is not under adequate control or cannot be expected to remain under adequate control for the study period such as thyroid disease, inflammatory arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, myositis and vasculitis or Sjogren's syndrome
• Not English-Speaking
• Positive pregnancy test or planning pregnancy within the study period
• Inability to pass the Mini-Mental Status examination (score below 24)
• Enrollment in any other clinical trial within the last 30 days
• Plan to permanently relocate from the region during the trial period

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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66 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Tai Chi Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

The tai chi intervention took place twice a week for 12 weeks, and each session lasted for 60 minutes. Classes were taught by a tai chi master with more than 20 years of teaching experience. In the first session, he explained the theory behind tai chi and its procedures and provided participants with printed materials on its principles and techniques. In subsequent sessions, participants practiced 10 forms from the classic Yang style of tai chi 18 under his instruction. Each session included a warm-up and self-massage, followed by a review of principles, movements, breathing techniques, and relaxation in tai chi. Throughout the intervention period, participants were instructed to practice tai chi at home for at least 20 minutes each day. At the end of the 12-week intervention, participants were encouraged to maintain their tai chi practice, using an instructional DVD, up until the follow-up visit at 24 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Tai Chi Intervention

Control Intervention

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Our wellness education and stretching program similarly included 60-minute sessions held twice a week for 12 weeks.19 At each session, a variety of health professionals provided a 40-minute didactic lesson on a topic relating to fibromyalgia, including the diagnostic criteria; coping strategies and problem-solving techniques; diet and nutrition; sleep disorders and fibromyalgia; pain management, therapies, and medications; physical and mental health; exercise; and wellness and lifestyle management.20 For the final 20 minutes of each class, participants practiced stretching exercises supervised by the research staff. Stretches involved the upper body, trunk, and lower body and were held for 15 to 20 seconds. Participants were instructed to practice stretching at home for 20 minutes a day.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Control Intervention