Effects of Tai Chi on Multisite Pain and Brain Functions in Older Adults

Chronic Pain Clinical Trial

Official title:

Effects of Tai Chi on Multisite Pain and Brain Functions in Older Adults

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03086772
• Other study ID #: R21AG043883
• Secondary ID: R21AG043883
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: May 2014
• Est. completion date: April 2017

Study information

• Verified date: October 2018
• Source: University of Massachusetts, Boston
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

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.

Description:

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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 54
• Est. completion date: April 2017
• Est. primary completion date: April 2017
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 65 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age of 65 years and older

• Multisite (2 or more sites) musculoskeletal pain

• At least one fall in the past year, or currently on an assistive device

• A sedentary lifestyle

• Be able to walk 20-feet without personal assistance

• Be able to communicate in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Regular Tai Chi practice

• Unstable cardiac disease

• Stroke

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Degenerative neuromuscular disease

• Parkinson's disease

• Terminal disease

• Dementing illness

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Chronic Pain

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Tai Chi
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.
• Light Exercise
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.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	University of Massachusetts, Boston	Boston	Massachusetts

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Massachusetts, Boston	National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (1)

You T, Ogawa EF, Thapa S, Cai Y, Zhang H, Nagae S, Yeh GY, Wayne PM, Shi L, Leveille SG. Tai Chi for older adults with chronic multisite pain: a randomized controlled pilot study. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2018 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s40520-018-0922-0. [Epub ahead — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Feasibility and acceptability of the 12-week Tai Chi program	Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated by adherence, attendance, optimal program components, and safety.	Over the 12-week intervention period
Secondary	Pain characteristics	Pain severity and interference were evaluated by using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire.	Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Secondary	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.	Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Secondary	Physical function	Physical function was measured by using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)	Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Secondary	Gait mobility	Single-task and dual-task gait function was determined by using the PKMAS software and Zeno walkway.	Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Secondary	Pain-related biomarkers	Levels of inflammatory markers and beta endorphin were determined by using biochemistry assays.	Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Secondary	Fear of falling	Fear of falling was measured using the Tinetti Falls Effi- cacy Scale.	Before and after the 12-week intervention period
Secondary	Rate of falls	Rate of falls were recorded by using monthly fall calendars.	Over the 12-week intervention and 6 months following the intervention