Low Back Pain
Conditions
Keywords
Tai Chi, Qigong
Brief summary
The purpose of the study is to examine the implementation strategy, in terms of feasibility and the possible benefits, of a free online Zoom t'ai chi and qigong gentle movement and meditation program to reduce back pain and to improve sleep and quality of life among those with chronic back pain. The primary objective of this study is to examine whether a safe and moderate online t'ai chi and qigong exercise program, offered without cost to individuals with chronic back pain, improves pain levels, sleep, and quality of life; The secondary objective is to explore whether improvements in pain levels are different among smokers and those with unhealthy BMI than among others.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALT'ai Chi and Qigong Rehabilitation
T'ai chi/Qigong is a multidimensional (mind, body, and spirit integrative) and multimodal (strength, flexibility, balance, posture, and light to moderate aerobic) form of exercise that is safe for persons of all ages and physical abilities. The 12-week, twice-per-week t'ai chi and qigong gentle movement and meditation program proposed to be studied is adapted from the WaQi program, a curriculum developed by Master Yang Yang, PhD. Master Yang developed this course based on his own healing journey from severe back pain following a bike accident in 2014.
OTHERUsual care
Usual care as per primary care physican, physical therapist.
Sponsors
Center for Taiji and Qigong Studies & Wa-Qi.com
New York Presbyterian Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* 18 years and older * Have experienced low back pain for the last 6 weeks or longer * Understands written and spoken English * Be willing to complete the initial survey and 3 additional ones emailed baseline and January 2023 * Be willing and able to provide consent to participate in the survey
Exclusion criteria
* pregnany * previously has taken t'ai chi classes * spine surgery within the last 6 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in the Oswestry Disability Index 3 months after intervention | baseline, 3 months | 0 to 100 scale |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in visual analogue scale (VAS) for low back pain | baseline, 3 months | 0-100 scale |
| Change in VAS leg pain | baseline, 3 months | 0 to 100 scale |
| The SF-36, Short Form Health Survey questionnaire | baseline, 3 months | — |
| 9-Item Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index | baseline, 3 months | — |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactPravesh S Gadjradj, MD, MSc
Backup ContactKenneth Kapp
Outcome results
None listed