Tai Chi for Arthritis – Published April 2007 Arthritis Care and Research
| A Recently Published Significant Tai Chi for Arthritis Study |
| By: Libby Spiers |
Summary of the study ‘Physical activity for osteoarthritis management: a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating hydrotherapy or Tai chi classes’***, by Libby Spiers Libby Spiers is a physiotherapist and warm water exercise coordinator at Arthritis Victoria. A recent study published in Arthritis and Rheumatism found that both hydrotherapy and Tai Chi for Arthritis classes can provide large and sustained improvements in physical function for older, sedentary people with chronic osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip. The researchers carried out a randomised controlled trial among 152 older people with chronic OA of the hip or knee. Participants attended either Tai Chi for Arthritis classes or hydrotherapy twice per week for 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, compared with controls, the exercise group participants demonstrated significant improvements for pain and physical function scores. These improvements were maintained at 24 weeks. “This study shows the health benefits of the Tai Chi for Arthritis program, these benefits don’t necesarily translate to other forms of tai chi” Dr Marlene Fransen, chief investigator of this study.” *** Fransen M, Nairn L, Winstanley J, Lam P, Edmonds J. A Randomized Control Trial Of 200 Subjects Comparing Tai Chi, Hydrotherapy And Control, To Measure Improvement In Pain, Physical Function, Muscular Strength And Walking Capacity. Arthritis Care and Research.. Vol.57, No.3, April 15, 2007, pp407-414. Related Articles
Reference of the study: Fransen M, Nairn L, Winstanley J, Lam P, Edmonds J : Physical activity for osteoarthritis management: a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating hydrotherapy or Tai chi classes Arthritis & Rheumatism (Arthritis Care & Research) April 2007, 57:3 pp 407-414. |
