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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05145036

The Effect of Tai Chi Exercise Among Elders With Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia has been defined as a disease which presented as low muscles strength, low muscle quantity or quality and low physical activity. The prevalence of sarcopenia is increasing with the age and it is also included in one of geriatric syndromes. Several criteria have been mentioned for diagnosis of sarcopenia, such as European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP)、Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Biomarkers Consortium Sarcopenia Project (FNIH) and Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS).

In European, the prevalence rate of sarcopenia is 9.25-18%; 5-7% Canadian and 14.4% Taiwanese elders have been diagnosed as sarcopenia, respectively. The sarcopenia has been found its relationship with adverse outcomes of fall down, fracture, disability, and death. The cytokines and decline in anabolic hormones play a role in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. Tai Chi exercise is one of Qigong and well-popular in Chinese population, and is helpful to integration of body movements. Tai Chi exercise is less complicated and emphasized people's awareness of self-care which presented the relationship between human and nature. Tai Chi exercise could improve muscle performance, balance and have the benefit for fall down prevention in the elders and patients with frailty. Furthermore, Tai Chi has been found that it also could improve the muscle power and power strength in sarcopenic elders by team training. Furthermore, immune makers of inflammation process have been noted their diminishments by Qigong intervention.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Tai Chi exercise in sarcopenic elders through practicing at home. The differences of muscles strength, muscle quantity or quality and physical activity after interventions would be recorded and analyzed. The cytokines related to the sarcopenia process would also be sampled.

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Key information

Conditions

Sarcopenia in Elderly Tai Chi

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

China Medical University Hospital

Taichung, Taiwan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 60 or older;
  • With a diagnosis of sarcopenia [defined as EWGSOP-2] (6);
  • Without planned exercise program or unplanned admission in 6 months;
  • Could tolerate tests of muscle power and strength.

Exclusion criteria

  • Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus;
  • Uncontrolled cardiovascular diseases;
  • Uncontrolled hypertension;
  • Knee or hip prosthesis, pacemaker, fracture in the previous 6 months,
  • Critical cognitive (MMSE<23)
  • Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA <17)
  • Physical dysfunctions that could not tolerate our tests

Treatment and study plan

Tai-Chi

Behavioral

Tai Chi exercise could improve muscle performance, balance and have the benefit for fall down prevention in the elders and patients with frailty.

Other names: Ward-off, Rollback, Push, Press, Grab, Split, Elbow Strike, Shoulder Strike

Comprehensive training

Behavioral

There are 3 exercises. Each session consisted of 10 minutes of warm-up, 40 minutes of Tai Chi, and 10 minutes of cool down.

Other names: Stretch exercise, Strengthening exercise, Balance training

Primary outcomes

  1. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass in kilograms

    Time frame: baseline

    The appendicular skeletal muscle mass is evaluated by bioelectrical impedance (BIA) analysis

  2. Change from baseline appendicular skeletal muscle mass at 8 weeks

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The appendicular skeletal muscle mass is evaluated by bioelectrical impedance (BIA) analysis

  3. Hand grip in kilograms

    Time frame: baseline

    The muscle strength is evaluated with the hand-grip strength (kg) by dynamometer

  4. Hand grip in kilograms

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The muscle strength is evaluated with the hand-grip strength (kg) by dynamometer

  5. Times Chair-stand test (5-CST) in minutes

    Time frame: baseline

    The 5CST is evaluated by recording the total time that patient repeat 5 times stand and sit motion from chair

  6. Times Chair-stand test (5-CST) in minutes

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The 5CST is evaluated by recording the total time that patient repeat 5 times stand and sit motion from chair

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

China Medical University Hospital

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Dec 6, 2021
Registry last updated
Jan 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.

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