Author: Nyman SR1, Hayward C2, Ingram W2, Thomas P3, Thomas S3, Vassallo M4, Raftery J5, Allen H3, Barrado-Martín Y6
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Psychology and Ageing & Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Science & Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole House, Talbot Campus, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB, UK. snyman@bournemouth.ac.uk.
<sup>2</sup>Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit, Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK.
<sup>3</sup>Bournemouth University Clinical Research Unit, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Royal London House, Lansdowne Campus, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3LT, UK.
<sup>4</sup>Centre of Postgraduate Medical Research and Education, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Royal London House, Lansdowne Campus, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3LT, UK.
<sup>5</sup>Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Building 85, Life Sciences Building, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
<sup>6</sup>Department of Psychology and Ageing & Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Science & Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole House, Talbot Campus, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB, UK.
Conference/Journal: BMC Geriatr.
Date published: 2018 Nov 3
Other:
Volume ID: 18 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 263 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1186/s12877-018-0935-8. , Word Count: 366
BACKGROUND: Falls are a public health issue for the older adult population and more so for people with dementia (PWD). Compared with their cognitively intact peers, PWD are at higher risk of falls and injurious falls. This randomised controlled trial aims to test the clinical and cost effectiveness of Tai Chi to improve postural balance among community-dwelling PWD and to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger definitive trial to reduce the incidence of falls among PWD.
METHODS: A 3-centre parallel group randomised controlled trial with embedded process evaluation. One hundred and fifty community-dwelling dyads of a person with dementia and their informal carer will be recruited and assessed at baseline and at six-month follow-up. Dyads will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either usual care or usual care plus a Tai Chi intervention for 20 weeks. The Tai Chi intervention will consist of weekly classes (45 min' Tai Chi plus up to 45 min for informal discussion, with up to 10 dyads per class) and home-based exercises (20 min per day to be facilitated by the carer). Home practice of Tai Chi will be supported by the use of behaviour change techniques with the Tai Chi instructor at a home visit in week 3-4 of the intervention (action planning, coping planning, self-monitoring, and alarm clock reminder) and at the end of each class (feedback on home practice). The primary outcome is dynamic balance measured using the Timed Up and Go test, coinciding with the end of the 20-week intervention phase for participants in the Tai Chi arm. Secondary outcomes for PWD include functional balance, static balance, fear of falling, global cognitive functioning, visual-spatial cognitive functioning, quality of life, and falls. Secondary outcomes for carers include dynamic balance, static balance, quality of life, costs, and carer burden.
DISCUSSION: This trial is the first in the UK to test the effectiveness of Tai Chi to improve balance among PWD. The trial will inform a future study that will be the first in the world to use Tai Chi in a trial to prevent falls among PWD.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02864056 .
KEYWORDS: Accidental falls; Behaviour change; Caregiver; Clinical trial; Dementia; Exercise; Feasibility; Postural balance; Tai chi
PMID: 30390620 PMCID: PMC6215631 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-018-0935-8