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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 Jun 20;41(18):3384-3396.
doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01519. Epub 2023 Mar 8.

GET FIT: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Tai Ji Quan Versus Strength Training for Fall Prevention After Chemotherapy in Older, Postmenopausal Women Cancer Survivors

Kerri M Winters-Stone  1   2 , Fay Horak  3 , Nathan F Dieckmann  4 , Shiuh-Wen Luoh  1   5 , Elizabeth Eckstrom  6 , Sydnee A Stoyles  4 , Eric J Roeland  2 , Fuzhong Li  7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

GET FIT: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Tai Ji Quan Versus Strength Training for Fall Prevention After Chemotherapy in Older, Postmenopausal Women Cancer Survivors

Kerri M Winters-Stone et al. J Clin Oncol. .

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of tai ji quan versus strength training to prevent falls after chemotherapy in older, postmenopaual women.

Methods: We conducted a three-arm, single-blind, randomized controlled trial where older (50+ years), postmenopausal women cancer survivors participated in one of three supervised group exercise programs (tai ji quan, strength training, or stretching control) twice weekly for 6 months and were followed up 6 months after training stopped. The primary outcome was the incidence of falls. Secondary outcomes included fall-related injuries, leg strength (1 repetition maximum; kg), and balance (sensory organization [equilibrium score] and limits of stability [LOS; %] tests).

Results: Four hundred sixty-two women were enrolled (mean age, 62 ± 6.3 years). Retention was 93%, and adherence averaged 72.9%. In primary analysis, there was no difference in the incidence of falls between groups after 6 months of training, nor during 6-month follow-up. A post hoc analysis detected a significantly reduced incidence of fall-related injuries within the tai ji quan group over the first 6 months, dropping from 4.3 falls per 100 person-months (95% CI, 2.9 to 5.6) at baseline to 2.4 falls per person-months (95% CI, 1.2 to 3.5). No significant changes occurred during 6-month follow-up. Over the intervention period, leg strength significantly improved in the strength group and balance (LOS) improved in the tai ji quan group, compared with controls (P < .05).

Conclusion: We found no significant reduction in falls for tai ji quan or strength training relative to stretching control in postmenopausal women treated with chemotherapy.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01635413.

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Conflict of interest statement

The following represents disclosure information provided by authors of this manuscript. All relationships are considered compensated unless otherwise noted. Relationships are self-held unless noted. I = Immediate Family Member, Inst = My Institution. Relationships may not relate to the subject matter of this manuscript. For more information about ASCO's conflict of interest policy, please refer to www.asco.org/rwc or ascopubs.org/jco/authors/author-center.

Open Payments is a public database containing information reported by companies about payments made to US-licensed physicians (Open Payments).

Eric J. Roeland

Consulting or Advisory Role: Napo Pharmaceuticals, AIM Specialty Health, Helsinn Therapeutics, Byomass, Veloxis, PRA Health, Actimed Therapeutics, Takeda, MeterHealth

Expert Testimony: Regents of the University of California

Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Pfizer

No other potential conflicts of interest were reported.

Figures

FIG 1.
FIG 1.
CONSORT diagram for the GET FIT trial. aExpressed interest but unable to connect. GET FIT, Group Exercise Training for Functional Improvement after Treatment.
FIG 2.
FIG 2.
(A) IDRs comparing fall rates across the study period to prior fall history. (B)IDRs comparing fall-related injuries across the study period to prior history of fall injuries. ID, incidence density; IDRs, incidence density ratios.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Tai Ji Quan and Fall Risk.
    Hu YT, Wu SY, Kao YS. Hu YT, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2023 Sep 10;41(26):4315-4316. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.00690. Epub 2023 Jun 28. J Clin Oncol. 2023. PMID: 37379496 No abstract available.

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