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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04690244

The Effect of Tai Chi Chuan in Older Adults

30 healthy older participants were enrolled in the study and were randomly classified into two groups. In the experimental group (n = 15) participants received 10-week Tai Chi Chuan practice intervention, in the control group (n=15) participants were asked do not change their living habits in 10 weeks. All participants had no practice Tai Chi Chuan before.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Aging Cognitive Function Motor Learning

Age range

60 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Lithuanian Sports University

Kaunas, 44221, Lithuania

About this study

All participants had to proceed with familiarization with cognitive function tests before all measurements and evaluation. Study protocol began in the early morning after overnight fasting (10.7 ± 4.7 h). Firstly, participants were asked to lay in the supine position for 15 minutes in rest to measure resting heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) during the last 10 minutes and blood pressure afterward. Subsequently, participants completed PSS-10 and HADS questionnaires, and then a venous blood sample was taken for BDNF and irisin concentrations measurements. Then measurements of cognitive functions and motor learning were performed. After baseline assessments, participants were randomized to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group subjects (n=15; 13 women) participated in 10 weeks Tai Chi practice. In the control group, participants (n=15; 13 women) were instructed do not to engage in any additional sports practice. All tests and measurements were repeated after 10 weeks in the same order as it was at the beginning of the study.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • age from 60 years old;
  • voluntary participation in the study;
  • does not have chronic diseases or injuries that may affect physical activity,
  • does not have physical and mental disorders;
  • has no hearing impairment;
  • does not smoke;
  • does not use psychotropic substances;
  • pulse from 40 to 100 beats per minute at rest;
  • impaired or corrected vision;
  • blood pressure up to 139/89 mmHg at rest;
  • never had practice of Tai Chi Chuan

Exclusion criteria

  • persons suffering from: mental, oncological, cardiovascular, skeletal, muscular, respiratory disorders or diseases after physical exhaustion will not be invited to the study;
  • after surgery; injuries (in last 3 years);
  • contraindications to physical activity.

Treatment and study plan

Tai Chi Chuan trainings

Other

10 weeks of Tai Chi Chuan practice by 6-year experienced training teacher, 2 times per week, 60 min per session.

Primary outcomes

  1. Heart Rate Variability

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    R-R intervals were recorded using a Polar H7 sensor with a chest strap (Kempele, Finland) in laying position, in rest.

  2. Blood Pressure

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    Resting blood pressure was measured using digital electronic blood pressure monitor (Microlife BP A100, Widnau, Switzerland)

  3. Perceived Stress Scale - PSS-10

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    The purpose of this scale is to assess the degree of stress in subjects' lives. It consists of questions about the frequency of feeling and thoughts during the past time period. Potential answers: 0-never; 1-almost never; 2-sometimes; 3-fairly often and 4-very often. The scores are obtained by reversing the scores on the four positive items:for example, 0=4, 1=3, 2=2, etc. and then summing across all items. Scores for the 10-item form range from 0 to 40,with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress

  4. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    To determine the level of anxiety and depression of subjects was used HADS scale. The scale consists of totally 14questions with the answers valued from 0 to 3. Half of questions addressed to estimate anxiety and rest - depression.The total scoring and conclusion for the both categories of questions: 0-7 = Normal; 8-10 = Borderline abnormal(borderline case); 11-21 = Abnormal (case)

  5. Muscle circulatory BDNF Measurement

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    Venous blood samples from the median antecubital vein were collected in 5 ml vacuum tubes with a gel separator and was separated by centrifugation (15 min at 1200g) to make blood serum. Samples were aliquoted and stored at -20°C until analysis. The serum concentration of Human Free BDNF was measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay kit(R&D Systems, Minneapolis, USA).

  6. Circulating Irisin Measurement

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    Venous blood samples from the median antecubital vein were collected in 5 ml vacuum tubes with a gel separator and was separated by centrifugation (15 min at 1200g) to make blood serum. Samples were aliquoted and stored at -80°C until analysis. The serum concentration of Irisin was measured using a competitive ELISA, immobilized antigen immunoassay kit (BioVendor R&D Systems, Brno, Czech Republic).

  7. Motor Learning Evaluation

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    The reaction time and velocity study will be measured with a DPA-1 analyzer. The DPA-1 device allows to study the reaction time, dynamic and kinematic characteristics of the movements.

  8. Cognitive Function Performance Evaluation

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    The Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics computer program, which assesses a person's neuropsychological condition, will be used to assess cognitive function indicators. Evaluates areas of cognition that are related to brain executive function. The following tests will be used in the study: Simple reaction time, Two choice reaction time, Memory search, Mathematical processing, Code substitution - learning, Code substitution - delayed, Go / No-Go, Matching grids.

  9. Balance Evaluation

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    Balance measurement will be measured on a Kistler platform. The subjects' balance study evaluated static posturography using a force plate and computer equipment to record signals (KISTLER, Switzerland, Slimline System 9286). During the study, the subject stands on the force plate in four different positions.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Weight Measurment

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    Body weight was measured by Tanita Body Composition Analyzer TBF-300 (Japan).

  2. Height Measurement

    Time frame: 10 weeks

    The height was measured by a centimeter strip.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Lithuanian Sports University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Tai Chi Chuan on Cognitive and Motor Functions in Older Adults

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Dec 30, 2020
Registry last updated
Dec 30, 2020

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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