Abstract
BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of disability as well as a burden on healthcare resources. Tai chi has been proposed as an alternative and complementary treatment for the management of knee osteoarthritis, but there appears to be no consensus on its usefulness. This study aims to develop an innovative tai chi rehabilitation program (ITCRP) for patients with knee OA, and to investigate the effect of ITCRP intervention on a range of outcomes including pain, function, balance, neuromuscular response, and biomechanics in knee OA.Methods/DesignWe will conduct a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial of 140 individuals with symptomatic knee OA. Patients will be randomly assigned into either an ITCRP group or a control group. The ITCRP group will participate in tai chi two or three times a week for 6 months. The control group will receive health education. After the 6-month intervention period, there will be a 6-month follow-up period with no active intervention in either group. The primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Primary outcome measures will be a visual analog scale for pain, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index,and the Lequesne Knee Score. The secondary outcome measures will include the Berg balance scale, knee and ankle proprioception, neuromuscular response, and 3D functional biomechanics. Furthermore, adverse events will be recorded and analyzed. If any participants withdraw from the trial, intention-to-treat analysiswill be performed.DiscussionImportant features of this trial include the randomization procedures, large sample size, and a standardized protocol for ITCRP for knee OA. This study aims to determine the feasibility of ITCRP for knee OA and provide data on the effects of ITCRP. Hence, our results will be useful for patients with knee OA as well as for medical staff and healthcare decision makers.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-13003264.
Highlights
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of disability as well as a burden on healthcare resources
This study aims to determine the feasibility of innovative tai chi rehabilitation program (ITCRP) for knee OA and provide data on the effects of ITCRP
Our results will be useful for patients with knee OA as well as for medical staff and healthcare decision makers
Summary
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of disability as well as a burden on healthcare resources. Tai chi has been proposed as an alternative and complementary treatment for the management of knee osteoarthritis, but there appears to be no consensus on its usefulness. Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of disability, especially for older people, as well as a burden on healthcare resources [1,2]. The management of knee OA is broadly divided into nonpharmacological, pharmacological, and surgical treatments [5]. Exercise is recommended for the nonpharmacological management of knee OA [7], but many forms of exercise may betoo intense, uncomfortable, or monotonous for older adults to maintain over an extended period of time [8]. Tai chi involves a series of slow, smooth, and graceful movements, with an emphasis on smooth coordination of the eyes, head, body, and upper and lower extremities [8]
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