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. 2023 Jul 20;23(1):256.
doi: 10.1186/s12906-023-04070-0.

Effect of Tai Chi on knee pain and muscle strength in middle-aged and older adults with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Hongyu Yue #  1 , Yang Li #  1 , Jianwen Ma  2 , Chaoqun Xie  2 , Fangfang Xie  2 , Junhao Cai  1 , Min Fang  3 , Fei Yao  4   5
Affiliations

Effect of Tai Chi on knee pain and muscle strength in middle-aged and older adults with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Hongyu Yue et al. BMC Complement Med Ther. .

Abstract

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common public health problem and a leading cause of long-term pain, decreased muscle strength, and even disability. Tai Chi has been proved effective and highly recommended for KOA management worldwide. However, little is known about its benefits on quadriceps strength which is closely associated with relieving knee pain. This trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tai Chi on knee pain and muscle strength in middle-aged and older adults with KOA.

Methods: A total of 100 participants will be randomly divided into a Tai Chi group (TC group) (1x/week for 12 weeks) and a control group with a health education and stretching program (1x/week for 12 weeks) with a follow-up period of 6 weeks. The primary outcome is the change of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) pain subscale at week 12 compared with baseline. Secondary outcomes include WOMAC stiffness and function subscales, data from isokinetic dynamometry, gait analysis with electromyography (EMG), and a 36-item short form health survey (SF-36). The daily dose of pain-relieving medication will also be recorded. All adverse effects will be assessed by the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS).

Discussion: We expect this randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi on relieving pain and increasing quadriceps strength in KOA patients. This protocol, if proven effective, will contribute to providing a promising alternative intervention for middle-aged and older adults with KOA.

Trials registration number: This trial has been registered in the China Clinical Trials Registry (registration number: ChiCTR2300069339).

Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis; Muscle strength; Pain; Randomized controlled trial; Tai Chi.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Trial flow chart
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
All movements of 8-form Tai Chi
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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