Tai Ji Quan for Preventing Falls in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Oregon Research Institute

Disqualifiers: Parkinson's, Multiple sclerosis, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

To determine the efficacy of a dual-task tai ji quan training therapy in reducing the incidence of falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for preventing falls in individuals with mild cognitive impairment?

Research shows that Tai Chi can improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Studies indicate that Tai Ji Quan, a form of Tai Chi, enhances physical performance and confidence, which may help prevent falls. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Tai Ji Quan safe for humans?

Research suggests that Tai Ji Quan, also known as Tai Chi, is generally safe for older adults, as it is often used to improve mobility and reduce fall risk without significant safety concerns. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

How is the treatment Tai Ji Quan unique for preventing falls in mild cognitive impairment?

Tai Ji Quan is unique because it combines traditional martial arts movements with cognitive and physical exercises to improve balance, mobility, and cognitive function, which can help prevent falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. ^{2 3 5 7 8}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for older adults, aged 65 and above, who have mild cognitive impairment. They must have experienced at least one fall in the past year or take longer than normal to complete a walking test. Participants should not be currently doing tai ji quan exercises regularly and must be able to walk on their own for short distances.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 65 years old or older.

I am experiencing memory loss.

I have fallen at least once in the past year or take 12 seconds or more to stand up, walk, and sit down.

Exclusion Criteria

I am not willing to be assigned to a treatment by chance.

Scoring <24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination

Having medical clearance

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo dual-task tai ji quan, standard tai ji quan, or stretching exercise interventions to reduce falls

6 months

Monthly phone calls for fall reporting

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

6 months

Assessments at 4, 6, and 12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Dual-Task Tai Ji Quan (Behavioural Intervention)
• Standard Tai Ji Quan (Behavioural Intervention)
• Stretching (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The study is testing if special exercise training called dual-task tai ji quan can help prevent falls compared to standard tai ji quan or simple stretching exercises. Older adults with memory complaints will practice these activities to see which is more effective.

Participant Groups

Group I: Stretching exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This active control intervention includes light activities that consist of breathing, stretching, and relaxation exercises. Each exercise session encompasses a variety of light and static stretches for joints and muscles, performed in a seated or standing position. Exercise involves the upper body (arms, neck, upper back, shoulder, back, and chest), lower extremities (quadriceps, hamstrings/calfs, and hips), and gentle and slow trunk rotations. Also included are intermittent light walking, deep abdominal breathing exercises that emphasize inhaling and exhaling to maximum capacity, and progressive relaxation of major muscle groups.

Group II: Standard tai ji quan Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This intervention includes training of tai ji quan forms with synchronized breathing, supplemented by a set of mini-therapeutic exercises. The training involves repeated practice of (a) symmetrical, coordinated, trunk-driven tai ji quan form movements, (b) controlled displacement (weight-shifting) of the body's center of mass over varying sizes of the base of support, (c) dynamic eye-hand movements during whole-body motion, and (d) multidirectional (anterior-posterior and medial-lateral) stepping. As a balance training therapy, movement practices emphasize a dynamic interplay of stabilizing and self-induced destabilizing postural actions and balance exercises that target mobility, stability limits, and sensory integration.

Group III: Dual-task taj ji quan Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This intervention includes training of (a) symmetrical postural tai ji quan forms/movements synchronized with breathing, (b) controlled displacement (weight-shifting) of the body's center of mass over the base of support, (c) dynamic eye-hand movements during whole-body motion, (d) multidirectional (anterior-posterior and medial-lateral) stepping, and (e) rotational ankle sway and self-induced reactive postural recovery actions. The training practices are integrated, gradually over time, with a mix of interactive, cognitively stimulating, dual-task exercises that challenge attention control, working memory, verbalization, response inhibition, processing speed, dual tasking, task switching/prioritization, and spatial orientation and postural awareness.

Dual-Task Tai Ji Quan is already approved in United States for the following indications:

🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Tai Chi for:

• Prevention of falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment
• Improvement of global cognition and dual-task walking ability

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

Oregon Research Institute Springfield, OR

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon Research Institute Lead Sponsor

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Tai Chi on Cognition and Fall Risk in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2022] To examine whether combined center- and home-based Tai Chi training can improve cognitive ability and reduce physiological fall risk in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI).

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tai Chi for patients with mild cognitive impairment: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2023] Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the cognitive changes of normal aging and early dementia. Tai Chi (TC) may be particularly beneficial to patients with MCI due to its whole-body coordination characteristics. This systematic review protocol aims to outline the methods that will be used to assess the comparative effectiveness and safety of TC for MCI through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tai Chi Improves Cognition and Plasma BDNF in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2022] Effects of Tai Chi (TC) on specific cognitive function and mechanisms by which TC may improve cognition in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) remain unknown.

4. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on cognition of elderly women with mild cognitive impairment. [2022] To detect the effects of Tai Chi Chuan practice on the cognition of elderly subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dual-Task Walking Capacity Mediates Tai Ji Quan Impact on Physical and Cognitive Function. [2021] Emerging evidence indicates exercise training improves mobility and cognition and reduces falls in older adults, but underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study tested the hypothesis that change in dual-task walking capacity mediates the positive effect of Tai Ji Quan and multimodal exercise on physical performance, activity confidence, global cognition, and falls among community-dwelling older adults at high risk of falling.

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effectiveness of Tai Chi Chuan on fear of movement, prevention of falls, physical activity, and cognitive status in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial. [2022] This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) on fear of movement, prevention of falls, physical activity, and cognitive status in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementing an evidence-based fall prevention program in an outpatient clinical setting. [2023] To investigate the dissemination potential of a Tai Ji Quan-based program, previously shown to be efficacious for reducing risk of falls in older adults, through outpatient clinical settings.

8. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transforming traditional Tai Ji Quan techniques into integrative movement therapy-Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance. [2022] Tai Ji Quan, developed as a martial art, has traditionally served multiple purposes, including self-defense, competition/performance, and health promotion. With respect to health, the benefits historically and anecdotally associated with Tai Ji Quan are now being supported by scientific and clinical research, with mounting evidence indicating its potential value in preventing and managing various diseases and improving well-being and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults. The research findings produced to date have both public health significance and clinical relevance. However, because of its roots in the martial arts, transforming traditional Tai Ji Quan movements and training approaches into contemporary therapeutic programs and functional applications is needed to maximize its ultimate utility. This paper addresses this issue by introducing Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance, a functional therapy that involves the use of Tai Ji Quan principles and Yang-style-based movements to form an innovative, contemporary therapeutic approach that integrates motor, sensory, and cognitive components to improve postural control, gait, and mobility for older adults and those who have neurodegenerative movement impairments. It provides a synergy of traditional and contemporary Tai Ji Quan practice with the ultimate goal of improving balance and gait, enhancing performance of daily functional tasks, and reducing incidence of falls among older adults.