None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Tai Chi is a form of martial art that is practiced for defense and health benefits. The health benefits of Tai Chi are well documented, which includes improved fitness, muscle strength and reduced falls risk. Convincing evidence also supports the use of Tai Chi in improving balance control. However, most of these studies are restricted to elderly people. Among neurological disorders, Tai Chi has been found to improve balance and reduce falls in Parkinson’s disease and stroke and improve balance in multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. To our knowledge, no research has examined the benefits of Tai Chi in health conditions resulting in cerebellar ataxia. This study will be conducted in 2 phases. In phase 1, the short-term and long-term treatment effectiveness of Tai Chi will be tested using a RCT. Phase 2 will be conducted alongside the RCT as an economic evaluation that will explore the cost effectiveness of Tai Chi, relative to usual care.. This economic evaluation will be conducted in a societal perspective having follow-ups at 6 and 12 months.
Interventions
Group 1 (intervention group)- Tai Chi ; Group 2 control group
Participants in group 1 will undergo 12 weeks of Tai Chi training at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPolyU), three times a week and each session lasting for 60 minutes. A Tai Chi Master will be employed to conduct the Tai Chi sessions. The 8-form Tai Chi routine will be delivered to the participants by the Tai Chi master. This 8-form Tai Chi has been derived from Yang’s style of the
Group 1 (intervention group)- Tai Chi ; Group 2 control group Participants in group 1 will undergo 12 weeks of Tai Chi training at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPolyU), three times a week and each session lasting for 60 minutes. A Tai Chi Master will be employed to conduct the Tai Chi sessions. The 8-form Tai Chi routine will be delivered to the participants by the Tai Chi master. This 8-form Tai Chi has been derived from Yang’s style of the traditional long-form Tai-Chi routine. The 8-form Tai Chi is specifically designed for people having difficulty in standing while practicing Tai-Chi. The participants will be encouraged to continue Tai Chi practice following the 12 weeks of training. The participants of the usual care control group will receive one session of advice on falls prevention lasting for 30 minutes. No other intervention will be offered. The participants of the usual care control group are free to continue their routine activities over the study period. Participants of both the groups will be instructed not to register for any new exercise programs over the study period.
Sponsors
Dr Stanley John Winser
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
(1) patients with a definite diagnosis of CA due to any underlying cause, (2) not on formal exercise programme, (3) have had at least one fall over the past six months and (4) walk at least 10 metres with or without the support of a walking assistive device.
Exclusion criteria
(1) previous history of stroke or any other neurological disorders, (2) severe cardio-vascular diseases that might prevent them from participating in exercise, (3) severe degenerative joint diseases causing excessive pain and discomfort, and (4) severe cognitive and visual impairments
Outcome results
None listed