The impact of group-based Tai chi on health-status outcomes among community-dwelling older adults with hypertension

Abstract

Objectives: To test the effects of group-based Tai chi on health-status outcomes among older adults with hypertension.

Background: A high-quality study exploring the effects of Tai chi on physical and psychosocial health for older adults with hypertension is needed in China. The long-term effects of group-based Tai chi in Chinese older adults with hypertension remain unclear.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. The group-based Tai chi training and practice were implemented in older adults over six-month.

Results: The Tai chi (TC) group showed significantly lower blood pressure and body mass index than the usual care (UC) group. The TC group participants showed greater improvements in social support, quality of life, and reduction in depressive symptoms over a six-month intervention than UC group. TC group showed significant group-by-time interactions in these variables.

Conclusion: Group-based Tai chi is effective in the enhancement of health-status outcomes for older Chinese adults with hypertension.

Keywords: Hypertension; Older adult; Physical health; Psychosocial health; Quality of life; Tai chi.