Author: Xie G#1,2, Rao T#3, Lin L1, Lin Z1, Xiao T1,4, Yang M1,4, Xu Y1,2, Fan J1, Lin S3, Wu J1,5, Feng X6, Li L7, Tao J1,4,5, Chen L1,2,4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>1College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1 Huatuo Road, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, 350122 Fujian China.
<sup>2</sup>Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Research Center of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.
<sup>3</sup>2Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.
<sup>4</sup>Rehabilitation medical technology Joint National Local Engineering Research Center, Fuzhou, China.
<sup>5</sup>Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, China.
<sup>6</sup>6The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
<sup>7</sup>7The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
<sup>#</sup>Contributed equally
Conference/Journal: Eur Rev Aging Phys Act.
Date published: 2018 Dec 12
Other:
Volume ID: 15 , Pages: 17 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1186/s11556-018-0206-x. eCollection 2018. , Word Count: 400
Backgroud: Tai Chi Chuan was used for stroke survivors with balance impairments. However, even a short-form of Tai Chi Chuan includes forms that make the exercise challenging for the stroke survivors. Tai Chi Yunshou (wave hands in the cloud) is the "mother" form and the fundamental form of all Tai Chi Chuan styles, which is considered more suitable and feasible for stroke survivors with balance impairments. So this study was designed to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi Yunshou exercise on community-based stroke patients with balance dysfunctions.
Methods: A total of 250 participants from 10 community health centers (5 per arm) were selected and randomly allocated into Tai Chi Yunshou exercise group (TC group) or a balance rehabilitation training group (control group) in an equal ratio. Participants in the TC group were received Tai Chi Yunshou exercise training five times per week for 12 weeks and those in control group were received balance rehabilitation training five times per week for 12 weeks. Outcome assessments including Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Time up to go test (TUGT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were measured at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and followed-up 6 weeks (18 weeks), 12 weeks (24 weeks). Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Analysis of variance of repeated measures was used to assess between-group differences.
Results: A total of 244 participants, 120 in the TC group and 124 in the rehabilitation group, were included in final analysis. There was no siginificant difference in Tai Chi Yunshou and balance rehabilitation training on the improvement of balance ability and mobility (P = 0.531 and P = 0.839, respectively) after adjustment for baseline. However, there was significant difference between two groups on improvement of motor funtion (P = 0.022), fear of falling (P < 0.001) and depression (P = 0.035) for the post stroke patients. No adverse events were reported during the study.
Conclusion: Tai Chi Yunshou and balance rehabilitation training led to improved balance ability and functional mobility, and both are suitable community-based programs that may benefit for stroke recovery and community reintegration. Our data demonstrated that a 12-week Tai Chi Yunshou intervention was more effective in motor function, fear of falling and depression than balance rehabilitation training. Future studies examining the effectiveness of Tai Chi Yunahou as a balance ability improvement strategy for community-dwelling survivors of stroke are recommended.
Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trail Registry: ChiCRT-TRC-13003641. Registration date: 22 August, 2013.
KEYWORDS: Balance dysfunction; Cluster randomized controlled trial; Community-dwelling; Stroke; Tai chi Yunshou exercises; Wave hands in the cloud
PMID: 30564291 PMCID: PMC6292054 DOI: 10.1186/s11556-018-0206-x