Effects of Tai Chi on Frailty in Elderly Adults

Frailty Clinical Trial

Official title:

The Effects of Tai Chi on the Nonlinear Dynamics of Frailty in Elderly Adults

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01126723
• Other study ID #: 10-005
• Secondary ID: R37AG025037
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: September 2010
• Est. completion date: September 2013

Study information

• Verified date: December 2023
• Source: Hebrew SeniorLife
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The aim of this study is determine the effects of Tai Chi exercise, as compared to an education-based control intervention, on cardiovascular and balance system function in older people at risk of developing frailty. We hypothesize that long-term Tai Chi training will improve specific nonlinear properties associated of cardiovascular and balance dynamics in this population.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 66
• Est. completion date: September 2013
• Est. primary completion date: September 2013
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 70 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women over age 70 will be included if they are able to stand and walk unassisted, are free of any acute or unstable medical conditions, and are able to understand directions and participate in the protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Potential subjects will be excluded 1) if they cannot stand and ambulate unassisted, 2) are experiencing any symptomatic cardiovascular or respiratory disease, or have 3) a myocardial infarction or stroke within 6 months, 4) painful arthritis, spinal stenosis, amputation, painful foot lesions, or neuropathy that limits balance and mobility, 5) systolic BP above 160 or diastolic BP above 100 mm Hg, 6) a cardiac pacemaker, 7) Parkinson's Disease or other neuromuscular disorder, 8) metastatic cancer or immunosuppressive therapy, or 9) have significant visual impairment.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Frailty

Intervention

Other:
• Tai Chi
The Tai Chi intervention will consist of a 12 week, instructor-led, group-based Tai Chi training program (two, one-hour sessions per week).
• Education-Control
The Education-Control intervention consists of a 12 week, instructor-led attention control program consisting of health education and mind-body breathing exercises (two, one-hour sessions per week)

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Hebrew Rehabilitation Center	Roslindale	Massachusetts

Sponsors (3)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Hebrew SeniorLife	National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Frailty Index	Frailty is defined as the combination of unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slow walking speed, and muscular weakness.	post-intervention