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. 2022 May 26:14:860762.
doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.860762. eCollection 2022.

The Effect of Modified Tai Chi Exercises on the Physical Function and Quality of Life in Elderly Women With Knee Osteoarthritis

Jiulong Song  1   2 , Lijun Wei  3 , Kai Cheng  2 , Qiang Lin  2 , Peng Xia  2 , Xinwei Wang  2 , Xiaoju Wang  2 , Ting Yang  2 , Baoyi Chen  3 , Aimei Ding  3 , Mingyi Sun  4 , Anliang Chen  2 , Xueping Li  2
Affiliations

The Effect of Modified Tai Chi Exercises on the Physical Function and Quality of Life in Elderly Women With Knee Osteoarthritis

Jiulong Song et al. Front Aging Neurosci. .

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the leading cause of pain and stiffness, affecting older adults' physical function and quality of life. As a form of mind-body exercise, Tai Chi has been recommended as an exercise prescription for KOA patients. This study examined the effects and continuation of modified Tai Chi exercises on physical function and quality of life in elderly women with KOA.

Methods: We conducted a single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) on 40 older women with KOA. The participants were randomized to a 12 weeks Tai Chi or control group. The Tai Chi group attended a kind of modified Tai Chi training sessions three times per week; the control group attended wellness education sessions once a week. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcomes were the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Short-Form 36 (SF-36), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality of Index (PSQI), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS).

Results: After the 12-weeks the Tai Chi group showed significan improvement in the WOMAC pain (mean difference, -5.09 points, p = 0.001), WOMAC stiffness (mean difference, -3.60 points, p = 0.002), WOMAC physical function (mean difference, -11.21 points, p = 0.001) compared to the control group. In addition, the Tai Chi group had also significant improvement in the BBS (mean difference, 1.70 points, p = 0.008), TUG (mean difference, -0.52s, p = 0.001), SF-36PCS (mean difference, 7.60 points, p = 0.001), MCS (mean difference, 7.30 points, p = 0.001), PSQI (mean difference, -3.71 points, p = 0.001), SDS (mean difference, -5.37 points, p = 0.025) and SAS (mean difference, -5.06 points, p = 0.002).

Conclusion: The modified Tai Chi exercises are an effective treatment for improved physical function and quality of life in elderly women with KOA.

Clinical trial registration: The trial was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000040721), http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=65419&htm=4.

Keywords: elderly women; knee osteoarthritis; modified Tai Chi; physical function; quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flow chart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The changes in the indicators of the two groups at Baseline, 12 weeks, follow-up 3 months, and 6 months over time. The value is the mean ± standard deviation (SD); error bars show the 95% confidence interval. WOMAC, The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index; BBS, Berg balance scale; TUG, time up go; SF-36, The MOS item short-form health survey; MCS, Mental component summary; PCS, Physical component summary; PSQI, Pittsburgh sleep quality index; SAS, Self-rating Anxiety Scale; SDS, Self-rating Depression Scale.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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