Tai Chi Relieves Pain and Helps Movement Among Seniors Citizens With Osteoarthritis

by Bill Simmons
Home Care Assistance

Over 4 million in U.S. over age 60 are diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis OA. Researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine found that Senior citizens (over age 65) with knee osteoarthritis (OA) saw an improvement in their physical function and experienced less pain after regular Tai Chi exercise. Tai Chi (Chuan) is a traditional style of Chinese martial arts. It involves slow, rhythmic movements to induce mental relaxation and enhance balance, strength, flexibility, and self-efficacy. The November issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology has the full findings of the study published. The elderly population is at most risk for developing knee OA, resulting in pain, functional limitations or disabilities and a reduced quality of life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 4.3 million U.S. adults over age 60 suffer from knee OA, a common form of arthritis that causes wearing of joint cartilage. A recent CDC report further explains that half of American adults are likely to develop symptoms of OA in at least one knee by age 85.

For this study, Chenchen Wang, M.D., M.Sc., and colleagues recruited 40 patients from the greater Boston area with a confirmed knee OA but were otherwise in good health. The mean age of participants was 65 years and the mean body mass index of 30.0 kg/m2. Patients were randomly selected. 20 of them were asked to participate in 60-minute Yang style Tai Chi sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks.

Each session involved a 10-minute self-massage and a review of Tai Chi principles; 30 minutes of Tai Chi movement; 10 minutes of breathing technique; and 10 minutes of relaxation. "Tai Chi is a mind-body approach that appears to be an applicable treatment for older adults with knee OA," said Dr. Wang.

The physical components of Tai Chi are consistent with current exercise recommendations for OA, which include a range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout. Apart from these, the researchers believe that the mental feature of Tai Chi addresses the negative effects of chronic pain by promoting psychological wellbeing, life satisfaction, and perceptions of health.

The remaining 20 participants of the control group attended two 60-minute class sessions per week for 12 weeks. Each session involved 40 minutes of instruction covering OA as a disease, diet and nutrition, therapies to treat their OA, or physical and mental health education. The final 20 minutes involved stretching exercises for the upper body, trunk, and lower body, with each of the stretch being held for 10-15 seconds.

It was found that at the end of the 12-week period, the patients who practiced Tai Chi exhibited a significant decrease in knee pain compared with those in the control group. Using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scale, a 118.80 reduction in pain from baseline was found between the Tai Chi and control group.

Improved physical function, self-efficacy, depression, and health status for knee OA was observed in subjects in the Tai Chi group.

Kathy Johnson, PhD, CMC is dedicated to providing superior senior home care.

www.homecareassistance.com

Article submitted Tuesday, November 10, 2009 & read 51 times.

Leave your comments through Blogz:

No comments yet.

5-0-0-0-0-ADSO

Most Recent