Pilot studies of recruitment and feasibility of remote Tai Chi in racially diverse older adults with multisite pain


Author: Tongjian You1, Yael Koren2, William J Butts3, Catarina Ambrizzi Moraes3, Gloria Y Yeh4, Peter M Wayne5, Suzanne G Leveille2

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Exercise and Health Sciences. Electronic address: tongjian.you@umb.edu.

<sup>2</sup> Department of Nursing, Robert and Donna Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, United States of America.

<sup>3</sup> Department of Exercise and Health Sciences.

<sup>4</sup> Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America; Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.

<sup>5</sup> Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.
Conference/Journal: Contemp Clin Trials
Date published: 2023 Mar 18
Other:
  Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107164.   ,  Word Count: 247  
    Background:

Multisite musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent among older adults yet undertreated. Studies support the promise of Tai Chi for managing pain and lowering fall risk. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, effective alternatives to classroom-based exercise programming are warranted.



Aims:

To recruit 100 racially diverse older adults with multisite pain and increased fall risk, who are interested in participating in a future Tai Chi clinical trial, and to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a short-term, remotely delivered home-based Tai Chi program.



Methods:

A random sample of adults aged 65 years or older living in diverse Boston neighborhoods were sent mailed invitations to participate in a telephone screening survey. Eligible adults were invited to join a 4-week Tai Chi program offered online via Zoom. Primary outcomes were class attendance, experience, and program safety.



Results:

Among 334 survey respondents, 105 were eligible for the intervention. Average age of eligible participants was 74 years, 75% were women, and 62% were Black. We assigned 32 participants to 4 Tai Chi or 2 light exercise groups conducted via Zoom; of these, 24 (75%) completed the program and 79% attended ≥6 of 8 classes. There were no adverse events reported. Two-thirds reported it was very easy to join the online classes and 88%, very easy to see the instructor.



Conclusion:

Mailed invitations were effective for recruiting a racially diverse sample. Remote exercise programming delivered online via live Zoom sessions is safe and feasible for diverse older adults who have multisite pain and risk of falls.



Keywords: Diverse older adults; Multisite pain; Remote exercise; Tai chi.



PMID: 36940813 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107164