Effect of Tai Chi versus aerobic exercise on blood pressure in prehypertension patients (TCOBPP): a study protocol for a 12-month single-blind randomized controlled trial

Author: Xinye Li#1,2, Yonghong Gao#3, Min Wu#2, Dawei Wei#1,4, Xingjiang Xiong#2, Yan Yang#1,4, Yuchen Jiang2, Xiandu Pan1,2, Ran Zhao1,2, Fan Yang2, Jiahao Sun1,2, Shengjie Yang2, Li Tian1,2, Linqiang Ban1, Xingye Li1, Peifen Chang5, Yanwei Xing6
Affiliation:
1 Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
2 Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China.
3 Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
4 Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
5 Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China. 13661022016@163.com.
6 Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China. xingyanwei12345@163.com.
Conference/Journal: Trials
Date published: 2022 Dec 12
Other: Volume ID: 23 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 1001 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06840-6. , Word Count: 359


Background:
Compared with optimal blood pressure (BP), the prehypertension increases the risk of incident hypertension, cardiovascular (CV) events, and death. Moderate intensity of regular physical activity can reduce BP. However, aerobic exercise has some limitations. As a safe, low-impact, enjoyable, and inexpensive form of exercise that requires minimal equipment and space, Tai Chi is expected as a viable alternative to aerobic exercise. The study aimed to assess the effect of Tai Chi intervention program, compared with aerobic exercise, on the BP in prehypertension patients.

Methods:
This study is a 12-month, two-center, single-blind, parallel, randomized controlled trial. Three hundred forty-two patients with prehypertension [with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the range of 120 mmHg to 139 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in the range of 80 mmHg to 89 mmHg] are randomized to one of two intervention groups in a 1:1 ratio: Tai Chi or aerobic exercise. BP monitoring methods of office blood pressure, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), and home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) are used at the same time to detect BP in multiple dimensions. The primary outcome is the comparison of SBP change from baseline to 12 months in Tai Chi group and SBP change from baseline to 12 months in aerobic exercise group. The secondary endpoints are as following: (1) the comparison of DBP of office blood pressure change from baseline to 12 months between Tai Chi group and aerobic exercise group, (2) the comparison of BP and the variability of BP assessed through ABPM change from baseline to 12 months between Tai Chi group and aerobic exercise group, (3) the comparison of BP assessed through HBPM change from baseline to 12 months between Tai Chi group and aerobic exercise group.

Discussion:
This will be the first randomized controlled trial to specifically study the benefits of Tai Chi on the blood pressure control in patients with prehypertension. The successful completion of this study will help to provide evidence for whether Tai Chi is more desirable than aerobic exercise.

Trial registration:
Trial registration number: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900024368. Registered on 7 July 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=39478&htm=4.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise; Blood pressure; Prehypertension; Tai Chi.

PMID: 36510218 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06840-6

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