An interventional study of Tai Chi and Light Exercise in Chronic Pain, sponsored by University of Massachusetts, Boston. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 65 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2018-10-25.
Sponsored by University of Massachusetts, Boston · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The main purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week Tai Chi program for community-dwelling older adults with chronic multisite pain and a history of falling. In addition, the investigators examined the effects of Tai Chi on pain characteristics, cognition, physical function, gait mobility, levels of pain-related biomarkers, fear of falling and rate of falls in these older adults.
Older adults aged ≥65 years with multisite pain who reported falling in the past year or current use of an assistive device were recruited from Boston area communities. Participants were randomized to either a Tai Chi (N=28) or a light physical exercise (N=26) program, offered twice weekly for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability of the 12-week Tai Chi/light exercise program. Secondary outcomes included pain characteristics (pain severity and pain interference), cognition (attention and executive function), physical function (walking speed, strength, and balance), gait mobility (singe-task and dual-task gait), levels of pain-related markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and beta endorphin), fear of falling, and rate of falls.
2,930 studies on the registry are indexed under Chronic Pain; 701 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 54 is close to the median of 60 across 2,161 interventional studies indexed under Chronic Pain.
Browse Chronic Pain studies →University of Massachusetts, Boston is the lead sponsor of 22 studies on the registry; 3 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Individuals in the Tai Chi intervention group participated in a 12-week Tai Chi program.
Behavioral: Tai Chi
Individuals in the exercise control group performed a 12-week light exercise program.
Behavioral: Light Exercise
Individuals in the Tai Chi intervention group will participate in a 12-week Tai Chi program (one hour per class, two classes per week, plus home practice for 12 weeks) led by an experienced Tai Chi Instructor, assisted by an undergraduate research assistant.
Individuals in the exercise control group will meet for a twice weekly class involving walking, weight training, stretching and health education (one hour per class, two classes per week for 12 weeks, taught by a trained graduate research assistant, assisted by an undergraduate research assistant.
Feasibility and acceptability of the 12-week Tai Chi program
Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated by adherence, attendance, optimal program components, and safety.
Time frame: Over the 12-week intervention period
Pain characteristics
Pain severity and interference were evaluated by using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire.
Time frame: Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Cognition
Attention was evaluated by using the Test of Everyday Attention (TEA) questionnaire. Executive function was evaluated by using the Trailmaking A and B tests questionnaire.
Time frame: Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Physical function
Physical function was measured by using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
Time frame: Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Gait mobility
Single-task and dual-task gait function was determined by using the PKMAS software and Zeno walkway.
Time frame: Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Pain-related biomarkers
Levels of inflammatory markers and beta endorphin were determined by using biochemistry assays.
Time frame: Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Fear of falling
Fear of falling was measured using the Tinetti Falls Effi- cacy Scale.
Time frame: Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Rate of falls
Rate of falls were recorded by using monthly fall calendars.
Time frame: Over the 12-week intervention and 6 months following the intervention
Plan to share: No
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2018. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University of Massachusetts, Boston