Tai Chi Training in Stroke Survivors

NCT03252236 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HSEARS20131023003
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 56
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

People with stroke suffer from different impairments, including the ability to dual-tasking, increased arterial stiffness, and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The decrement in dual-tasking performance has been found among stroke survivors, and the deterioration has been related to increased risk of fall in the population. No coherent result has been concluded from previous studies investigating the effect of different types of exercise training on enhancing dual-tasking performance among healthy older adults and stroke survivors. Increased arterial stiffness and impaired functioning of the autonomic nervous systems, which have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and mortality, are common in stroke survivors. Studies have been suggesting the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on both decreasing arterial stiffness and regulating the autonomic nervous system among healthy older people. However, only a few studies concerning such topic have been conducted among stroke survivors, yet the results were inconsistent. Tai Chi is a Chinese traditional martial art and has been employed as a rehabilitation exercise in recent decades. Tai Chi practitioners should perform the physical movement and plan the Tai Chi forms simultaneously. The involvement of cognitive functioning gives Tai Chi a dual-tasking character. Prior studies demonstrated the beneficial effect of Tai Chi training on dual-tasking performance in healthy older adults, but would the effect extend to stroke survivors has not yet been studied. Also, Tai Chi is considered as a mind-body exercise. It is suggested that one should keep a relaxed status of mind and breathe gently and slowly. Moreover, Tai Chi is an exercise with moderate intensity. These features have been found to decrease arterial stiffness and benefit functioning of the autonomic nervous system. Indeed, studies have been showing Tai Chi reduces arterial stiffness and improves regulation of the autonomic nervous system among healthy population. Whether such effect can be observed in stroke survivors is still unknown. This study aimed at investigating the effects of Tai Chi training on dual-tasking performance, arterial stiffness, and autonomic system functioning among stroke survivors. Given the special features of Tai Chi and its advantageous effects on the mentioned functioning, it is expected that stroke survivors may also benefit from Tai Chi training.

Conditions

Stroke

Keywords

Stroke; Tai Chi; Dual-tasking; Arterial compliance; Arterial stiffness; Autonomic nervous system; Heart rate variability

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in dual-tasking performance - turning-while-walking

  A test combining a turning-while-walking test and an auditory Stroop test

  week 0, week 12

• Change in dual-tasking performance - stepping back

  A test combining a stepping back test and an auditory Stroop test

  week 0, week 12

• Change in dual-tasking performance - stepping down

  A test combining a stepping down test and an auditory Stroop test

  week 0, week 12

• Change in arterial compliance

  Large and small arterial compliance measured non-invasively (HDI/PulsewaveTM CR-2000 Research CardioVascular Profiling System; Hypertension Diagnostics, Inc., Eagan, Minnesota, USA)

  week 0, week 12

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Single turning-while-walking test

  week 0, week 12, and week 16

• Single stepping back test

  week 0, week 12, and week 16

• Single stepping down test

  week 0, week 12, and week 16

• Single auditory Stroop test

  week 0, week 12, and week 16

• Heart rate variability

  week 0, week 12, and week 16

Study Arms (3)

Tai Chi

EXPERIMENTAL

Subjects in this group were trained with Tai Chi exercise. The training lasted for 12 weeks, one hour per session and twice a week. Subjects were asked to practice outside of the class 30 minutes at least once a week.

Behavioral: Tai Chi

Conventional exercise

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Subjects in this group were trained with conventional exercises. Subjects were also asked to practice the exercises outside of the class 30 minutes at least once a week

Behavioral: Conventional exercise

Control

NO INTERVENTION

No training was given to the subjects in this group

Interventions

Tai Chi BEHAVIORAL

Modified 12-form Yang style Tai Chi.

Tai Chi

Conventional exercise BEHAVIORAL

Conventional exercises included mobilization, stretching, muscle strengthening, and walking training.

Conventional exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosed with stroke six or more months previously
• Able to perform a stepping down maneuver without any physical assistance
• Able to walk unaided for 5m indoor
• Able to follow instructions in Cantonese

You may not qualify if:

• Any neurological disease other than stroke
• Severe visual or hearing impairment
• A score of less than 18 on the Cantonese version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE)
• Any major surgery or severe musculoskeletal injury during the previous six months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke

Interventions

Tai Ji

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• William Wai Nam Tsang, PhD

  The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Head

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 30, 2017
• First Posted: August 17, 2017
• Study Start: October 1, 2014
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2016
• Study Completion: December 31, 2016
• Last Updated: August 21, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-08

Locations

HK (1)