Tai Chi Intervention for Balance Function in Older Adults: Predictive and Modifying Roles of Circadian Age

NCT07567976 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: HainanMC-TaiChi-2026-001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi intervention on balance function in community-dwelling older adults. Participants are randomly assigned to either a Tai Chi exercise group or a health education control group. The primary outcome is balance function measured by the Berg Balance Scale. Secondary outcomes include physical function, cognitive function, psychological well-being, and sleep quality. The study also explores the predictive and modifying roles of circadian age on intervention outcomes.

Conditions

Aging; Postural Balance; Accidental Falls

Keywords

Tai Chi; Tai Ji Quan; Mind-Body Exercise; Older Adults; Fall Prevention; Circadian Rhythm

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) Score

  The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a 14-item performance-based measure of static and dynamic balance in older adults. Each item is scored 0-4 based on the participant's ability to perform tasks such as sitting to standing, transfers, standing unsupported with eyes closed, turning, and single-leg stance. Total scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance function. Lower scores are associated with increased fall risk.

  Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (13)

• Change in Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test

  Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks

• Change in Grip Strength

  Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks

• Change in Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) Score

  Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks

• Change in Balance Performance Measured by InBody Balance Trainer

  Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks

• Change in Single-Leg Eye-Closed Standing Time

  Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks

Other Outcomes (3)

• Change in Circadian Age Acceleration (AgeAccel_z)

  Baseline

• Change in Prefrontal Brain Activation Measured by fNIRS

  Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks

• Changes in Blood Metabolomic and Proteomic Profiles

  Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Tai Chi Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group receive instruction in Yang-style 24-form Tai Chi from a nationally certified master coach. Tai Chi classes are offered five days per week, and participants are required to attend at least three sessions per week. Each session lasts 60 minutes, including warm-up, Tai Chi practice, cool-down, and Q\&A. The intervention duration is 12 weeks. Class size is limited to 10-15 participants to ensure individualized guidance.

Behavioral: Tai Chi Exercise

Health Education Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group attend health education seminars led by professional medical and health management staff. Seminar topics include nutrition, chronic disease management, fall prevention, and safe medication use. The intervention duration is 12 weeks. After the intervention ends, this group is offered free Tai Chi classes to ensure ethical equipoise.

Behavioral: Health Education

Interventions

Tai Chi Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Yang-style 24-form Tai Chi taught by a nationally certified master coach. Classes are offered five days per week, with participants required to attend at least three sessions per week, for a total of 12 weeks (target: ≥36 sessions). Each 60-minute session includes a 10-minute warm-up, 35 minutes of Tai Chi practice, 10 minutes of cool-down (including standing meditation and breathing exercises), and 5 minutes for questions and home practice reminders. Class size is limited to 10-15 participants.

Tai Chi Group

Health Education BEHAVIORAL

Structured health education program delivered by professional medical and health management staff. Seminars cover topics including nutrition and dietary guidance, chronic disease management (hypertension, diabetes), fall prevention strategies, safe medication use, and general health literacy for older adults. The intervention runs for 12 weeks. Participants receive the same health screening, evaluation, and feedback benefits as the Tai Chi group. Free Tai Chi classes are offered to this group after the intervention period ends.

Health Education Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 55 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 55 years or older
• Community-dwelling
• Able to walk independently (assistive devices such as canes are permitted)
• Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score ≤52 at screening
• Able to understand and follow verbal instructions
• Willing to wear a wrist accelerometer continuously for 7 days at baseline
• Willing to accept random group assignment
• Willing to undergo blood collection during the study
• Provides written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Regular Tai Chi or yoga practice (more than once per week) within the past 6 months
• Severe cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment \[MoCA\] score \<20 at screening, or previously diagnosed dementia)
• Unstable cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalization within the past 3 months)
• Severe musculoskeletal disease that limits exercise participation
• Neurological diseases affecting balance (e.g., Parkinson's disease, severe peripheral neuropathy)
• Currently participating in another exercise intervention study
• Planned surgery or extended absence during the study period
• Contraindications to functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) examination (e.g., scalp injury, metallic implants in the head region)
• Severe psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
• Considered unable to safely participate in moderate-intensity physical activity as judged by the study physician or attending healthcare provider

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Macao Polytechnic University: collaborator
• Zhide Liang: lead

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Aquatic Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hydrotherapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• Baichao Xu, PhD

  Hainan Medical College

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Ziheng Ning, PhD

  Macao Polytechnic University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Zhide Liang, MS

CONTACT

0853-65597656; p2516238@mpu.edu.mo

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors are blinded to group allocation. Assessors are not involved in randomization or intervention delivery. Assessments are conducted in a separate location from the intervention sessions. All participants wear standardized clothing and footwear during assessment to prevent inadvertent unblinding. Participants are reminded not to disclose their group assignment to assessors.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctoral Student / Study Coordinator

Model Details: Two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial. Participants are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the Tai Chi intervention group or the health education control group. Both groups undergo the intervention concurrently for 12 weeks. After the intervention, the control group is offered free Tai Chi classes to ensure ethical equipoise.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2026
• First Posted: May 5, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): May 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04