Tai Chi for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trial

Official title:

Tai Chi for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00522054
• Other study ID #: 587-03244
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: August 27, 2007
• Last updated: August 27, 2007
• Start date: September 2004
• Est. completion date: March 2005

Study information

• Verified date: August 2007
• Source: Diakonhjemmet Hospital
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Norway:National Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study was to study the impact of Tai Chi group exercise on physical function, health and disease activity of patients with RA, and to examine the patients' experience and perception of Tai Chi.

Description:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory and systemic disease that mainly affects the musculoskeletal system. The disease is often progressive and may result in reduced physical function, pain, fatigue, and joint destruction. Exercise programs are reported to improve physical functioning in patients with RA.

Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial art that was developed in the 13th century, and combines slow and gentle movements with mental focus.

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a 12 weeks standardized Tai Chi group exercise program on disease activity, physical function and health status in patients with RA attending. Further, the patients experiences of possible effects of Tai Chi were to be obtained in a focus group interview.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 15
• Est. completion date: March 2005
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 18 Years to 70 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of RA according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1987

• Stable medical treatment

• No earlier experience with Tai Chi

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lack of ability to bear weight on the lower extremities

• Recent or ongoing disease flare

• Unstable heart condition

• Participation in other physical exercise interventions more than twice a week included in other intervention studies.

Study Design

Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Arthritis
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid
• Rheumatoid Arthritis

Intervention

Other:
• Physical exercise
Tai Chi exercise, twice a week during 12 weeks

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Norway	National resource center for rehabilitation in rheumatology. Diakonhjemmet Hospital	Oslo

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Diakonhjemmet Hospital

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Norway, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Balance was measured with Walking in a Figure of Eight. Strength and endurance were measured by Timed-Stands test. Shoulder function was measured with Assessments of Shoulder Movement Impairment Scale.		15 min
Secondary	Blood samples were collected for determination of sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). A rheumatologist examined the patients with the number of 28 swollen and tender joints.		15 min
Secondary	Self-reported health status included Health Assessment Questionnaire, visual analogue scale for fatigue, muscle pain, and fear of falling, Short Form Health Survey and Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale		15 min
Secondary	Focus group interview in order to capture the participants' experiences and perceptions with Tai Chi.		1 hour

External Links

•   Click here for more information about national resource center for rehabilitation in rheumatology