An interventional study of Tai Chi Training in Fibromyalgia, sponsored by Pusan National University. Completed. Open to female participants aged 30 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2020-11-03.
Sponsored by Pusan National University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Health services research
Fibromyalgia (FM) is an idiopathic disease affecting approximately 3% of the world population, primarily diagnosed in middle-aged women. Although FM is mainly characterized by chronic pain and fatigue, reduced muscular strength and flexibility are common symptoms associated with the presentation of the disorder. Interestingly, the etiology and underlying mechanism of FM are not completely understood, but previous findings suggest that autonomic dysfunction may explain some of the FM symptoms.
Compared to age-matched healthy individuals, patients with FM have an attenuated autonomic function which is associated with a reduction in vagal tone and increase in sympathetic activity. Therefore, autonomic function is a worthwhile target intervention in individuals with FM. Although traditional exercise ( both aerobic and resistance) has been shown to effectively improve HRV parameters and FM symptoms, most FM patients display a decline in adherence to traditional exercise and continue to experience considerable pain and fatigue years after the original diagnosis ultimately requiring medication to control their symptoms.Thus, new approaches are needed to improve autonomic function and clinical symptoms in patients with FM, which will ultimately improve their physical and emotional functioning leading to a better quality of life.
Tai Chi (TC) is a form of ancient Chinese martial art which integrates slow movements, controlled breathing and mental concentration. TC training is safe for special populations and has previously shown to decrease pain, fatigue as well as other FM related symptoms.However, the potential role of TC training on autonomic function is largely unexplored.
The investigators hypothesis is that 12 weeks of TC training would improve our primary outcome of autonomic function through improvements in sympathovagal balance, and the secondary outcomes measures of FM symptoms (pain, fatigue and sleep quality), strength and flexibility.
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of 12 weeks of TC training on on cardiac autonomic function, FM symptoms (pain, fatigue and sleep quality), strength and flexibility. The specific aim of the study is:
1,243 studies on the registry are indexed under Fibromyalgia; 256 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 37 is below the median of 60 across 937 interventional studies indexed under Fibromyalgia.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Tai Chi exercises 3 times per wk for 12 weeks
Other: Tai Chi Training
This arm involves not making any change to the subject's lifestyle at the moment of the start of the intervention and for 12 weeks.
Participants practiced, under supervised instruction, 10 forms from the classic Yang style of Tai Chi 3 times per wk for 12 weeks.The Tai Chi sessions lasted approximately 55 minutes and included a 10-minute warm up, 40 minutes of practice and exercise finalizing with a 5-minute cooldown period.
Autonomic Function
Heart Rate Variability was assessed from electrocardiogram
Time frame: 12 weeks
Fibromyalgia Symptomatology
Subjects filled visual analog scales (VAS) to evaluate symptom severity before and after 12 weeks.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Flexibilty
Flexibility was measured using the Sit and Reach Test
Time frame: 12 weeks
Muscle Strength
one repetition maximum (1RM) was performed using a leg extension machine
Time frame: 12 weeks
No study locations are listed for this record.
The record gives a start of Jan 2016, a primary completion of May 2016 and a completion of May 2016. It does not say whether these dates are actual or estimated.
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This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2020. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Pusan National University