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Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Pain, Balance, Muscle Strength, and Perceived Difficulties in Physical Functioning in Older Women with Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
RHAYUN SONG, EUN-OK LEE, PAUL LAM, and SANG-CHEOL BAE
ABSTRACT.
Objective. Twelve forms of Sun-style tai chi exercise have been developed specifically to reduce the symptoms and improve the physical functioning of arthritic patients, and this randomized study examined the changes in symptoms and physical characteristics in older women with osteoarthritis (OA) at the completion of a 12-week tai chi exercise program.
Methods. Seventy-two patients with OA were randomly assigned into 2 groups. Due to a 41% overall dropout rate, 22 experimental subjects and 21 controls completed pre- and post-test measures over a 12 week interval. Outcome variables were physical symptoms and fitness, body mass index, cardiovascular functioning, and perceived difficulties in physical functioning. The independent t test was used to examine group differences.
Results. The homogeneity test confirmed that there were no significant group differences in demographic data and pretest measures. Mean comparisons of the change scores revealed that the experimental group perceived significantly less pain (t = –2.19, p = 0.034) and stiffness (t = –2.13, p = 0.039) in their joints, and reported fewer perceived difficulties in physical functioning (t = –2.81, p = 0.008), while the control group showed no change or even deterioration in physical functioning after 12 weeks. In the physical fitness test, there were significant improvements in balance (t = 3.34, p = 0.002) and abdominal muscle strength (t = 2.74, p = 0.009) for the tai chi exercise group. No significant group differences were found in flexibility and upper-body or knee muscle strength in the post-test scores.
Conclusion. Older women with OA were able to safely perform the 12 forms of Sun-style tai chi exercise for 12 weeks, and this was effective in improving their arthritic symptoms, balance, and physical functioning. A longitudinal study with a larger sample size is now needed to confirm the potential use of tai chi exercise in arthritis management. (J Rheumatol 2003;30:2039-44)
Key Indexing Terms:
TAI CHI EXERCISE
PHYSICAL FITNESS
OSTEOARTHRITIS
WOMEN
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
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From the Department of Nursing, Soonchunhyang University, Chon An; College of Nursing, Seoul National University; and Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, The Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Hanyang University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
Supported by the Korea Research Foundation (Grant no. 2000-042-F00100), Seoul, Korea.
R. Song, RN, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Soonchunhyang University; E-O. Lee, RN, DNS, Professor, College of Nursing, Seoul National University; P. Lam, MD, Family Physician, Tai Chi Instructor, Conjoint Lecturer, University of New South Wales, Australia; S-C. Bae, MD, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, The Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Hanyang University Medical.
Address reprint requests to Dr. S-C. Bae, The Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Hanyang University Medical Center, Seoul 133-792, South Korea. E-mail: scbae@hanyang.ac.kr
Submitted April 12, 2002; revision accepted February 13, 2003.
Learn more at:
http://www.jrheum.com/abstracts/abstracts03/2039.html
and at: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/sun1.htm
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The below Medical Research on Sun Style Tai Chi was generously provided by:
www.taichiproductions.com/articles/display.php?articleid=57
A Published Study: Tai Chi for Arthritis
By: Rhayun Song, Eun-Ok Lee, Paul Lam, Sang-Cheol Ba
Published in the September 2003 issue of "The Journal of Rheumatology." (Abstract available online)
Title:
Effects of tai chi exercise on pain, balance, muscle strength, and physical functioning in older women with osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial
Authors:
Rhayun Song, Eun-Ok Lee, Paul Lam, Sang-Cheol Bae
Objective:
Twelve forms of Sun-style tai chi exercise have been developed specifically to reduce the pain and stiffness, and improve quality of life for people with arthritis. This randomized study examined the changes in pain, stiffness and physical functions (ability to do daily tasks) in older women with osteoarthritis (OA) at the completion of a 12-week tai chi exercise program.
Methods:
72 patients with OA were randomly assigned into 2 groups. 22 experimental subjects and 21 controls completed pre- and post-test measures over a 12-week interval. Outcome measurements were physical symptoms and fitness, body mass index, cardiovascular functioning, and perceived difficulties in physical functioning. The independent t test was used to examine group differences.
Results:
Compared to the control group the tai chi group had 35% less pain, 29% less stiffness, 29% more ability to perform daily tasks (like climbing stairs), as well as improved abdominal muscles and better balance. No significant group differences were found in flexibility and upper-body or knee muscle strength in the post-test scores.
Conclusion:
Older women with OA were able to safely perform the 12 forms of Sun-style tai chi exercise for 12 weeks, and this was effective in improving their symptoms, balance, and physical functioning.
Author affiliations:
Rhayun Song, RN, PhD, Associate professor, Soonchunhyang University, South Korea
Eun-Ok Lee, RN, DNS, Professor, Seoul National University, South Korea
Paul Lam, MD, Family physician, Tai Chi teacher, and conjoint lecturer, University of NSW, Australia
Sang-Cheol Bae, MD, PhD, MPH, Associate professor, The Hospital for Rheumatic Disease, Hanyang University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
Grant supporter: Supported by the Korea Research Foundation (Grant no. 2000-042-F00100), Seoul, Korea.
Address reprint requests to: Dr. S-C. Bae, The Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Hanyang University Medical Center, Seoul 133-792, South Korea. E-mail: scbae@hanyang.ac.kr
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