Effect of Tai Ji Quan on Quality of Life in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disorder, with main complaints of chronic pain, functional limitation and physical disability. Because of these symptoms, patients with OA have been reported to reduce their physical activity and consequently worsen their quality of life and sleep quality. Tai Ji Quan is a traditional Chinese exercise, which could reduce pain and physical disability and improve quality of life. However, there was no study that evaluated the long-term effects of Tai Ji Quan on quality of life and sleep quality in patients with knee OA. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 24-week Tai Ji Quan training on quality of life, sleep quality and physical performance among older adults with knee OA. METHODS: We conducted a 24-week randomized controlled trial of forty-six Chinese older adults with knee OA. Participants were randomly assigned to either a Tai Ji Quan group (Tai Ji Quan; n=23) or Control group (Control; n=23). Participants in the Tai Ji Quan group participated in a 3-time weekly Tai Ji Quan sessions, while those in Control group participated in a 60-minutes bi-weekly educational classes. The primary outcomes were changes in physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of Short Form 36 health (SF-36) survey with secondary outcomes being eight subscales of SF-36 survey, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality of Index (PSQI), Timed Up & Go (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). RESULTS: Compared to those in Control group, participants in Tai Ji Quan group had significantly improved the primary outcome (PCS=1.21 points, P=0.012) and secondary outcomes, including three subscales of SF-36 survey (body pain=11.11 points, P=0.037; general health=9.47 points, P=0.006; social function=1.72 points, P=0.047) and PSQI score (-0.06 points, P=0.043). There was a significant within-group change (improvement) in three subscales of SF-36 (physical functioning=15.72 points, P<0.001; role-emotional=12.70 points, P=0.029; mental health=8.57 points, P=0.043), TUG (-0.73 seconds, P=0.006) and BBS (1.90 points, P=0.001) in Tai Ji Quan group. CONCLUSION: 24-week Tai Ji Quan training has positive effects on quality of life and self-reported sleep quality for older adults with knee OA. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (11372194).