UCLA Tai Chi in a Community Setting Study

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Physical Activity; Fatigue

Treatments: Behavioral: Tai Chi

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01203657

UCLA-TCC01

Details and patient eligibility

About

Although a number of studies have examined the effects of Tai Chi in older adult populations, few have methodically assessed its effects on vitality, fatigue and physical activity. Some studies have shown that fatigue relates to negative mood and poor health-related quality of life in older persons.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese form of calisthenics that utilizes the body's internal energy (chi), mind, and breathing; which may be a useful exercise for older adults in increasing their activity level. A twenty-four of Yang style of Tai Chi is a simple form of Tai Chi that is particularly well-suited for older adults. This proposed study to investigate the effects of a Tai Chi intervention on decreasing fatigue level, and increasing level of activity in healthy older adults.

The investigators research group has focused on the Tai Chi as a strategy to reduce stress and improve sleep, and their preliminary evidence suggest it strongly affects energy level and vitality. The investigators are focused on taking this intervention into the community testing its efficacy. The investigators preliminary data shows that Tai Chi is of benefit to older adults; however, this study will test whether their research findings are generalizable to community settings.

Tai Chi-naïve participants from Culver City Senior Center will receive a 10-week Tai Chi. The investigators will compare this group to a wait-list control group. All subjects will receive a packet of questionnaires of pre- and post-intervention vitality, fatigue and health-related quality of life. Subjects will also be given an activity monitor to wear for 2 days before they start the Tai Chi class and for 2 days after they complete the class, to determine if there is a change in general physical activity level.

Enrollment: 47 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy
• Older adult > 60 years of age

Exclusion criteria

• Older adults who have severe osteoarthritis or chronic pain disorders
• Non ambulatory
• Any condition that would adversely impact their participation in Tai Chi

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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47 participants in 2 patient groups

Tai Chi

Experimental group

Description:

Tai Chi instruction, 2x week in a community senior center setting

Treatment:

Behavioral: Tai Chi

Wait List Control

No Intervention group

Description:

This is a wait list control group. There is no active or placebo intervention.