Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01126723

Effects of Tai Chi on Frailty in Elderly Adults

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.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Frailty Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

70 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Hebrew Rehabilitation Center

Roslindale, Massachusetts, 02131, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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.

Treatment and study plan

Tai Chi

Other

The Tai Chi intervention will consist of a 12 week, instructor-led, group-based Tai Chi training program (two, one-hour sessions per week).

Education-Control

Other

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)

Primary outcomes

  1. 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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hebrew SeniorLife

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute on Aging (NIA)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of Tai Chi on the Nonlinear Dynamics of Frailty in Elderly Adults

Important dates

Study start
2010
Primary completion
2013
Study completion
2013
First posted
May 20, 2010
Registry last updated
Dec 19, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.