Tai Chi as Physical Activity for Women With Morbid Obesity

NCT04106661 | Completed Results

• 2 other identifiers: 16PT0316-1-M-325
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 17
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study investigated the use of Tai Chi as a feasible form of physical activity for women with morbid obesity utilizing an instructional digital video disc (DVD). Two groups of women with morbid obesity (body mass index of \>40) were placed into the Tai Chi intervention group or the control group. Initial function was assessed with a series of tests and then repeated after 8 weeks. During the 8 weeks, the Tai Chi intervention group met once a week for 45 minutes to participate in a group exercise class. The control group was asked to continue their regular activity. At the end of the 8 weeks, both groups were reassessed with the same tests from the start of the study. The investigators hypothesized that the Tai Chi group would show more improvement in their functional scores for strength, balance and quality of life than the control group.

Conditions

Morbid Obesity

Keywords

Tai Chi; physical activity; morbid obesity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Four Square Step Test

  Three-quarter inch diameter plastic tubing was placed on the ground to form a plus sign. The participant was required to step as fast as possible starting in square 1 in a clockwise direction and then returning counterclockwise making full contact in each square with both feet and not touching the tubing. The participants were required to complete the Four Square Step Test in 15 seconds or less in order to be included in the study based on the research that a time longer than 15 seconds is predictive of multiple falls. The results were compared at the conclusion of the study as an indicator of balance.

  10 weeks

• Zeno Walkway Analysis of Gait Speed

  Participants were asked to walk along the gait mat for a total of four passes. A piece of tape was placed one meter before and after the gait mat. Participants were instructed to turn around once they reached the piece of tape to decrease the effects of acceleration and deceleration on the gait mat. Data collected on the Protokinetics Zeno Walkway included the participants' gait speed.

  10 weeks

• 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)

  The SF-36 was used to measure how each participant viewed their physical and mental health. The questionnaire contained sections that covered vitality, physical functioning, bodily pain, general health perceptions, physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, social role functioning, and mental health. Overall, the SF-36 has the ability to measure the well-being of older adults . Scores on the SF-36 range from 0-700, with a lower score identifying greater disability and a higher score suggesting less disability.

  10 weeks

• Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

  The 6MWT is a submaximal test of endurance measuring total distance walked in six minutes. A 100 foot walking path was measured down a level, hard surfaced hallway. The participant was asked to repeatedly walk the complete length of the 100 foot walking path as many times as possible in six minutes at a comfortable pace. The participant was allowed to rest during this test, however, the timer did not stop until the six minute time frame had been completed. The total distance upon completion of the 6MWT was documented.

  10 weeks

• 30 Second Sit to Stand

  The 30 Second Sit to Stand is a test of lower extremity functional strength. This test consists of rising from a standard height chair and returning to sitting as many times as the person is able to within 30 seconds without the use of their upper extremities. It is a measure of lower extremity functional strength.

  10 weeks

• Timed up and go Test

  The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) begins with the participant seated in an armchair. The participant is instructed to stand up and walk at a comfortable pace to a mark three meters in front of the chair, turn around, walk back to the chair, and sit down. The test is timed, and participants are allowed to use the arms of the chair and an assistive device if they choose. This assessment correlates with fall risk and functional mobility.

  10 weeks

• Single Leg Stance Test

  The Single Leg Stance test (SLS) test measures static balance while standing on one leg, with a longer time indicating better balance ability. A participant would stand on one leg and hold the position as long as they could up to 30 seconds. Participants were required to perform 3 trials with eyes open and 3 trials with eyes closed on both limbs. The longest of the three trials was used for data analysis. The timer was stopped in the following situations: (1) the foot of the non-stance leg touched the floor, (2) the lower extremities made contact with each other, (3) the participant exceeded 30 seconds of single leg stance, or (4) the participant opened their eyes on the eyes closed trial.

  10 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Tai Chi Intervention 1

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention group and control group were recruited during the same time frame. The intervention group received Tai Chi instruction via a weekly group session and home use of a DVD. The control group received no formal instruction in physical activity.

Other: Tai Chi

Tai Chi Intervention 2

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention group and control group were recruited during the same time frame. The intervention group received Tai Chi instruction via a weekly group session and home use of a DVD. The control group received no formal instruction in physical activity.

Other: Tai Chi

Interventions

Tai Chi OTHER

Physical activity requiring slow, controlled whole body movement and weight shifting.

Also known as: physical activity

Tai Chi Intervention 1; Tai Chi Intervention 2

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Body mass index greater than 40
• Completion of the four square step test in less than 15 seconds.

You may not qualify if:

• History of neurological insult or disease
• Cardiac condition limiting exercise
• Joint pain severely limiting movement
• Major surgery within 6 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Husson University: lead

Related Publications (25)

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obesity, Morbid; Motor Activity

Interventions

Tai Ji; Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Obesity; Overweight; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Results Point of Contact

• Title: William Lindblad, Director of Research and Scholarship
• Organization: Husson University

lindbladw@husson.edu

20-7992-1958

Study Officials

• Cathy Stucker, DSc

  Husson University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: Yes

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Data was de-identified prior to analysis.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Pretest-posttest control group design: The groups were determined by convenience sample due to the time-sensitive need to form the exercise groups. There were two arms of the study that aligned with two concurrent academic years. The first six participants to express interest were placed in the first Tai Chi intervention group. The next three participants were in the first control group. The second arm of the study had five participants who made contact before the second exercise group began. The second control group had three participants.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 25, 2019
• First Posted: September 27, 2019
• Study Start: September 2, 2016
• Primary Completion: November 21, 2017
• Study Completion: November 21, 2017
• Last Updated: October 9, 2024
• Results First Posted: October 9, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share