Effect of Tai Chi Chuan on Autonomic Nervous Modulation in Aged Subjects

Healthy Subjects Clinical Trial

Official title:

Effect of Tai Chi Chuan on Autonomic Nervous Modulation, Blood Lipid and Cytokines Production in Aged Subjects

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00745303
• Other study ID #: VGH91-365-1
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: September 1, 2008
• Last updated: September 1, 2008
• Start date: May 2002
• Est. completion date: March 2004

Study information

• Verified date: September 2008
• Source: Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Taiwan: Institutional Review Board
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

Since Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) training has been shown to be beneficial to the cardiopulmonary function of the subject, TCC might have a beneficial effect on the pulmonary function, autonomic nervous modulation, lipid profile, and cytokines production in the aged subjects.

Description:

Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is a traditional Oriental conditioning exercise or calisthenics that is believed by many people around the world to be good for the health. The frequently claimed reason for this merit of TCC is that it can improve the cardiopulmonary function and immunity of the subject who practice it continuously. TCC has been shown to delay the decline of aerobic power, improve the cardiopulmonary function, balance and strength of the subjects. One study has demonstrated that TCC could reduce tension, anxiety, and mood disturbance. However, few studies have examined the effect of TCC on the blood lipid profile and immunity of the TCC practitioners. Another study reported that 12-week programme of regular TCC exercise enhanced functional mobility, personal health expectations, and regulatory T cell function. It has also been shown that an appropriate combination of TCC exercise program with diabetic medication might improve both glucose metabolism and immunity in type 2 diabetic patients. Since TCC training has been shown to be beneficial to the cardiopulmonary function of the subject, TCC may also have an effect on the blood lipid profile and immunity of the subjects. We hypothesize that TCC might have a beneficial effect on the pulmonary function, autonomic nervous modulation, lipid profile, and cytokines production in the aged subjects. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine whether or not TCC have these effects in the aged subjects.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 50
• Est. completion date: March 2004
• Est. primary completion date: May 2003
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 50 Years to 75 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• All subjects included in this study had normal lifestyles, and were capable of daily activities without limitations.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who had major cardiopulmonary disease or were on regular medicine for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, renal or liver disease were not included in the study.

Study Design

Observational Model: Case Control, Time Perspective: Prospective

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Healthy Subjects

Intervention

Procedure:
• Tai Chi Cuan
Tai Chi Cuan training for 3 months

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Taiwan	Taipei Veterans General Hospital	Taipei

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan	National Science Council, Taiwan

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Taiwan, 

References & Publications (1)

Lu WA, Kuo CD. The effect of Tai Chi Chuan on the autonomic nervous modulation in older persons. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003 Dec;35(12):1972-6. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	TCC training for 3 months can improve the pulmonary function, glucose availability and lipid profile, and increase the cytokines production and vagal modulation in aged subjects.		3 months	No
Secondary	Other effects of TCC observed		3 months	No