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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05629728

Tai Chi and Laughing Therapy for Improving Functions of Frail Older Adults

The goals of this study are to examine the physical function, cognitive function, and quality of life among frail elderly residing in the community

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Key information

Conditions

Frailty Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Age range

65 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Chungnam National University

Daejeon, 35015, South Korea

About this study

This randomized clinical trial recruited 150 frail older adults, assigned to either the intervention groups (Tai Chi vs. Laughing therapy) or the wait-list control group. Tai Chi intervention provided to the Tai Chi group for 12 weeks with 12-week follow-up and pretest and posttest measures will be conducted. Laughing therapy intervention provided 10 weekly sessions for 12 weeks.

The primary outcome is the function variables (physical function of balance, flexibility, mobility; cognitive function of MOCA-K) The secondary outcome is quality of life measured by SF36, and healthy aging measured by healthy aging scale.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • being frail (3 out of the following 5 criteria): feeling fatigued, difficulty climbing 10 stairs without help, difficulty walking 300m without help, more than 5 chronic illness, weight loss 5 % or more past 1-5 years
  • living in the community
  • able to participate in Tai Chi program twice a week

Exclusion criteria

  • participated in any formal exercise program past 6 months
  • not have transportation to come to the class

Treatment and study plan

Tai Chi Exercise

Behavioral

Sun-style Tai Chi (21 forms)

Laughing therapy

Behavioral

10 sessions of laughing therapy by a certified instructor

Primary outcomes

  1. physical function - balance

    Time frame: changes from pretest to 12 week posttest scores

    balance was assessed using a one-leg-standing balance test (OLST)

  2. physical function - flexibility

    Time frame: changes from pretest to 12 week posttest scores

    flexibility was assessed by the standard sit-and-reach test (SSRT)

  3. physical function - mobility

    Time frame: changes from pretest to 12 week posttest scores

    mobility was assessed by the Timed Up and Go test (TUG)

  4. cognitive function

    Time frame: changes from pretest to 12 week posttest scores

    MOCA-K (Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment) was used with the maximum score of 30. (more than 23 is normal and less than 13 is dementia, more cognitively impaired)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Short Form health survey 36 (SF36)

    Time frame: changes from pretest to 12 week posttest scores

    Short Form health survey 13 which consists of eight dimensions: general health, physical functioning, role physical, body pain, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health. two summary scores for the physical and mental components of health-related QoL are calculated by using the weighted means for the eight domains. Higher scores indicate better health-related QoL.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chungnam National University

Other

Collaborators

  • National Research Foundation of Korea

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Tai Chi and Laughing Therapy on Physical and Cognitive Function Among Frail Older Adults

Acronym: AA project

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Nov 29, 2022
Registry last updated
Jul 24, 2026

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.

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