Functional outcomes of Tai Chi exercise prescription in women with knee osteoarthritis

Ning Kang, Yi Wang, Gong Chen, Chao Guo, Zhanjia Zhang, Donghui Mei, Nancy Morrow-Howell, Dongmin Wang

Sports Medicine and Health Science ›› 2022, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (4) : 239-244.

Sports Medicine and Health Science All Journals
Sports Medicine and Health Science ›› 2022, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (4) : 239-244. DOI: 10.1016/j.smhs.2022.10.001
Original article

Functional outcomes of Tai Chi exercise prescription in women with knee osteoarthritis

Author information +
History +

Abstract

Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common type of knee joint injury and also a risk factor for multiple health consequences and is prevalent among older women. The updated clinical guidelines for KOA treatment by the American Rheumatism Association recommend Tai Chi exercise. However, a literature review outlined limitations in Tai Chi intervention implementations. This study aimed to address some of the gaps. This study selected thirty female patients to participate in Tai Chi exercises and undergo relevant tests. The subjects were randomly assigned to Tai Chi or education groups. Independent sample t-tests were conducted to compare the difference in health indicators between the two groups after the intervention. The difference-in-differences (DID) regression was performed to assess the difference in the health outcomes between the two groups at baseline and follow-up and the difference in the differences. After the completion of the intervention, the Tai Chi group reported significantly improved KOA symptoms, physical fitness, and health status indicators than the control group. Specifically, the group differences were significantly larger at the baseline than at the follow-up. Our findings provide compelling evidence of the effects of the innovative Tai Chi exercise prescription specifically designed for KOA patients. The empirical evidence on its effectiveness in alleviating KOA symptoms and improving the overall health of middle-aged and elderly women with KOA suggested that Tai Chi intervention exercise has huge prospects for integration in KOA rehabilitation therapy.

Keywords

Tai Chi / KOA / Intervention / Exercise prescription

Cite this article

Download citation ▾
Ning Kang, Yi Wang, Gong Chen, Chao Guo, Zhanjia Zhang, Donghui Mei, Nancy Morrow-Howell, Dongmin Wang. Functional outcomes of Tai Chi exercise prescription in women with knee osteoarthritis. Sports Medicine and Health Science, 2022, 4(4): 239‒244 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2022.10.001
We examined the effect of silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) on functional fitness levels and physical independence in 60-79-year-old individuals.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study with 716 older adults and used an electrocardiograph and an ambulatory electrocardiogram to diagnose those with SMI. Physical independence was assessed using the Composite Physical Function scale, whereas physical fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test battery.
Results
The 60-79-year-old females and males with SMI were more likely to have lower scores for lower and upper body strength, agility/dynamic balance, and aerobic endurance (p < 0.05) than those without SMI. The scores for lower and upper body flexibility in all age groups for both genders were not significant (p > 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that old adults with SMI had a higher risk of losing physical independence later in life than those without SMI (p < 0.05).
This study showed that individuals with SMI have lower fitness levels and increased risk of losing physical independence than those without SMI.
Each authors’ contributions
Potential referees
Lili Ji, PhD. University of Minnesota, 100 Church Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455-0213 Twin Cities, United States; E-mail: llji@umn.edu.
Yong Zhang, PhD.Tianjin University of Sport, No. 16, Donghai Road, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China; E-mail: yzhang@tjus.edu.cn.
Conflict of interest
The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Hetong nursing home and Yanan hospital for recruiting participants and providing a pleasant study area. The authors are grateful for the help of the undergraduates and postgraduates at Tianjin University of Sport during testing.
Our research was sponsored by the National General Administration of Sport, China (2015B015, Study on the demonstration community how to keep seniors fit through exercise,2016.1-2018.12).

References

[1]
A Emrani, H Bagheri, MR Hadian, M Jabal-Ameli, GR Olyaei, S Talebian. Isokinetic strength and functional status in knee osteoarthritis. J Phys Ther Sci, 18 (2) ( 2006), pp. 107-114, DOI: 10.1589/jpts.18.107
[2]
C Wang, MD Iversen, T McAlindon, et al.. Assessing the comparative effectiveness of Tai Chi versus physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis: design and rationale for a randomized trial. BMC Compl Alternative Med, 14 ( 2014), p. 333, DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-333
[3]
JM Jordan, G Luta, JB Renner, A Dragomir, MC Hochberg, JG Fryer. Ethnic differences in self-reported functional status in the rural south: the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Arthritis Care Res Off J Arthritis Health Prof Assoc, 9 (6) ( 1996), pp. 483-491, DOI: 10.1002/art.1790090610
[4]
DS Logerstedt, J Zeni Jr., L Snyder-Mackler. Sex differences in patients with different stages of knee osteoarthritis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 95 (12) ( 2014), pp. 2376-2381, DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.07.414
[5]
AE Nelson, KD Allen, YM Golightly, AP Goode, JM Jordan.A systematic review of recommendations and guidelines for the management of osteoarthritis: the chronic osteoarthritis management initiative of the U.S. bone and joint initiative. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 43 (6) ( 2014), pp. 701-712, DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2013.11.012
[6]
RM Ferreira, JA Duarte, RS Gonçalves. Non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions to manage patients with knee osteoarthritis: an umbrella review. Acta Reumatol Port, 43 (3) ( 2018), pp. 182-200
[7]
CL Shen, CR James, MC Chyu, et al.. Effects of Tai Chi on gait kinematics, physical function, and pain in elderly with knee osteoarthritis--a pilot study. Am J Chin Med, 36 (2) ( 2008), pp. 219-232, DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X08005734
[8]
E Ghandali, ST Moghadam, MR Hadian, G Olyaei, S Jalaie, E Sajjadi. The effect of Tai Chi exercises on postural stability and control in older patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Bodyw Mov Ther, 21 (3) ( 2017), pp. 594-598, DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.09.001
[9]
M Zhou, N Peng, Q Dai, HW Li, RG Shi, W Huang. Effect of Tai Chi on muscle strength of the lower extremities in the elderly. Chin J Integr Med, 22 (11) ( 2016), pp. 861-866, DOI: 10.1007/s11655-015-2104-7
[10]
Z Zhang, L Huang, Y Liu, L Wang.Effect of tai chi training on plantar loads during walking in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. BioMed Res Int, 2020 ( 2020), p. 3096237, DOI: 10.1155/2020/3096237
[11]
R Lomas-Vega, E Obrero-Gaitán, FJ Molina-Ortega, R Del-Pino-Casado. Tai chi for risk of falls. A meta-analysis. J Am Geriatr Soc, 65 (9) ( 2017), pp. 2037-2043, DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15008
[12]
Y Li, CN Devault, S Van Oteghen. Effects of extended Tai Chi intervention on balance and selected motor functions of the elderly. Am J Chin Med, 35 (3) ( 2007), pp. 383-391, DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X07004904
[13]
MP Gallant, M Tartaglia, S Hardman, K Burke. Using tai chi to reduce fall risk factors among older adults: an evaluation of a community-based implementation. J Appl Gerontol Off J South Gerontol Soc, 38 (7) ( 2019), pp. 983-998, DOI: 10.1177/0733464817703004
[14]
T Field. Knee osteoarthritis pain in the elderly can be reduced by massage therapy, yoga and tai chi: a review. Compl Ther Clin Pract, 22 ( 2016), pp. 87-92, DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.01.001
[15]
C Wang, JP Collet, J Lau. The effect of tai chi on health outcomes in patients with chronic conditions: a systematic review. Arch Intern Med, 164 (5) ( 2004), pp. 493-501, DOI: 10.1001/archinte.164.5.493
[16]
C Wang, CH Schmid, PL Hibberd, et al.. Tai Chi is effective in treating knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum, 61 (11) ( 2009), pp. 1545-1553, DOI: 10.1002/art.24832
[17]
JE Ware Jr., CD Sherbourne.The MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Med Care, 30 (6) ( 1992), pp. 473-483
[18]
JR Wingert, CE Corle, DF Saccone, J Lee, AE Rote. Effects of a community-based tai chi program on balance, functional outcomes, and sensorimotor function in older adults. Phys Occup Ther Geriatr, 38 (2) ( 2020), pp. 129-150, DOI: 10.1080/02703181.2019.1709600
[19]
R Ren, G Tang, C Tang, J Zhang, X Xiao, Q Zhang.The Tai Chi training for middle-aged and elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for systematic review and meta analysis. Medicine (Baltim), 99 (20) ( 2020), p. e20242, DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000020242
[20]
J Ye, Q Zheng, L Zou, et al.. Mindful exercise (baduanjin) as an adjuvant treatment for older adults (60 Years old and over) of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2020 ( 2020), p. 9869161, DOI: 10.1155/2020/9869161
[21]
R Song, EO Lee, P Lam, SC Bae. Effects of a Sun-style Tai Chi exercise on arthritic symptoms, motivation and the performance of health behaviors in women with osteoarthritis. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 37 (2) ( 2007), pp. 249-256, DOI: 10.4040/jkan.2007.37.2.249
[22]
T Xiao, L Yang, L Smith, et al.. Correlation between cognition and balance among middle-aged and older adults observed through a tai chi intervention program. Front Psychol, 11 ( 2020), p. 668, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00668
[23]
C Wang, CH Schmid, PL Hibberd.Tai Chi for treating knee osteoarthritis: designing a long-term follow up randomized controlled trial. BMC Muscoskel Disord, 9 ( 2008), p. 108, DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-9-108
[24]
J Ye, MW Simpson, Y Liu, et al.. The effects of baduanjin qigong on postural stability, proprioception, and symptoms of patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Front Med, 6 ( 2019), p. 307, DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00307

Accesses

Citations

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/