Skip to content

Feasibility Study of Tai Chi for Cognitively Impaired Older Adults

Effects of 12-week Tai Chi Program on Physical Function, Depression, and Quality of Life Among Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: A Feasibility Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05629650
Acronym
TCM
Enrollment
41
Registered
2022-11-29
Start date
2018-07-01
Completion date
2022-01-10
Last updated
2022-12-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Impairment

Keywords

Tai Chi, cognitive impairment, dementia

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the feasibility of a 12-week program of Tai Chi for memory (TCM) among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia and to determine the effects of TCM on physical functioning, depression, and health-related QoL. Two experimental groups will be recruited for inclusion criteria of community-residing older adults with a diagnosis of either MCI or Dementia.

Detailed description

The purpose of the study are to determine the acceptability of a 12-week program of Tai Chi for memory (TCM) among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia; and to determine the effects of TCM on physical functioning, depression, and health-related QoL. A quasi-experimental design was used with two groups classified according to the level of their cognitive impairment (MCI vs. Dementia). Depression, health-related QoL, and physical functioning including grip strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility were measured before and after the 12-week TCM program. Depression was measured using the Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale. Health-related QoL was measured using the 12-item Short Form survey (SF-12). Grip strength was assessed using a digital hand dynamometer. Flexibility was assessed using the standard sit-and-reach test. Balance was measured using the one-leg-standing balance test. Mobility was assessed using the timed up and go test. Paired and independent t-tests will be used to compare the effects of TCM within and between groups.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALTai Chi for memory

The adapted form of TCM will be provided at 60 minutes per session, twice a week for 12 weeks by a certified Tai Chi instructor who had experience in teaching older adults with cognitive impairments.

Sponsors

National Research Foundation, Singapore
CollaboratorOTHER_GOV
Chungnam National University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

two intervention groups (1) those with MCI (2) those with dementia

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
75 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* community-residing older adults aged 75 years or older, * registered at the public dementia prevention centers for dementia screening by health professionals with the diagnosis of either MCI or dementia, * Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K) score of 22 or lower, * agreed to participate in the Tai Chi program twice a week for 12 weeks.

Exclusion criteria

* participated in any formal regular exercise program during the previous 6 months, and

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
physical function-grip strengthchanges from pretest to 12 week posttest scoresgrip strength by assessed in both hands using a digital hand dynamometer (0-90 kg; Labisen KS-301)
physical function - flexibilitychanges from pretest to 12 week posttest scoresby the standard sit-and-reach test (SSRT)
physical function - balancechanges from pretest to 12 week posttest scoresassessed using a one-leg-standing balance test (OLST)
physical function - mobilitychanges from pretest to 12 week posttest scoresassessed by the Timed Up and Go test (TUG)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
emotional functioning - depressionchanges from pretest to 12 week posttest scoresassessed by the short form of the Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K) with 16 items (yes/no). higher scores indicate more depressive symptoms
Short Form Health Survey 12 (SF12)changes from pretest to 12 week posttest scoresShort Form Health Survey 12, which consists of eight dimensions: general health, physical functioning, role physical, body pain, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health. two summary scores for the physical and mental components of health-related QoL are calculated by using the weighted means for the eight domains.

Countries

South Korea

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 11, 2026