Tai Chi vs. Wellness Education for Osteoarthritis

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byChenchen Wang, MD, MSc

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Tufts Medical Center

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This exploratory study is to compares mechanisms of mind-body exercise with wellness education program on gut microbiota for osteoarthritis as a basis for a future large-scale trial.

Research Team

Chenchen Wang, MD, MSc

Principal Investigator

Tufts Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals over 55 with symptomatic osteoarthritis and a pain score of ≥40 on the WOMAC scale. Participants should meet the American College of Rheumatology criteria for OA but can't join if they've used antibiotics or probiotics recently, have certain gut diseases, infections like hepatitis B or C, dementia, cancer, heart disease, kidney or liver problems.

Inclusion Criteria

Baseline (Month 0) WOMAC pain subscale score ≥ 40

Fulfills the American College of Rheumatology Criteria for symptomatic OA

I am 55 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

I haven't used antibiotics or probiotics in the last 4 weeks and don't have significant gut issues or infections.

I do not have any serious health conditions that would prevent me from participating.

Treatment Details

Interventions

Tai Chi (Behavioral Intervention)
Wellness Education (Behavioral)

Trial OverviewThe study compares Tai Chi's effects on gut bacteria to those from a wellness education program in people with osteoarthritis. It aims to lay groundwork for future large-scale research by exploring how these interventions might work.

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Active Control

Placebo Group

Group I: Tai ChiActive Control1 Intervention

12 weeks of Tai Chi classes

Group II: Wellnes EducationPlacebo Group1 Intervention

12 weeks of Wellness Education classes