Effects of Tai Chi on Frailty in Elderly Adults

Overview

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.

Full Title of Study: “The Effects of Tai Chi on the Nonlinear Dynamics of Frailty in Elderly Adults”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Treatment
    • Masking: None (Open Label)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: September 2013

Interventions

  • 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).
  • Other: 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)

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: Tai Chi group
  • Active Comparator: Educational Control group

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Frailty Index
    • Time Frame: post-intervention
    • Frailty is defined as the combination of unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slow walking speed, and muscular weakness.

Participating in This Clinical Trial

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.

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 70 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Hebrew SeniorLife
  • Collaborator
    • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Lewis Lipsitz, MD, Principal Investigator, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center

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