Tai Chi Exercise to Improve Physical Capabilities in Elderly With Sarcopenia

NCT07826000 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UH25070524
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi exercise on the physical performance of elderly individuals diagnosed with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, which often leads to decreased physical function, mobility issues, and a higher risk of falls in older adults. Specifically, the research investigates the impact of an eight-week Tai Chi program on four key functional areas: handgrip strength measured by a dynamometer, balance evaluated through the 5-times Sit-to-Stand (5xSTS) test, mobility measured by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and daily physical activity levels assessed via the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) questionnaire. The primary question this study seeks to answer is how Tai Chi exercise influences the physical performance of elderly patients with sarcopenia. Furthermore, it aims to determine whether practicing Tai Chi yields significant improvements in their handgrip strength, balance, mobility, and overall activity levels when compared to a control group participating in standard elderly gymnastics.

Conditions

Sarcopenia in Elderly

Keywords

sarcopenia; tai chi; physical performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Handgrip Strength

  This outcome measures upper body and global muscle strength using a CAMRY® handgrip dynamometer. Participants perform a maximum isometric contraction using their dominant hand, and the highest value from at least two trials is recorded. A higher value indicates greater muscle strength. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 recommends a diagnostic cutoff for low muscle strength of \<28.0 kg for men and \<18.0 kg for women

  Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)

• 5 Times Sit to Stand (5xSTS) Test

  This test assesses lower extremity muscle strength, balance, and postural control. It measures the time (in seconds) required for a participant to rise from a standard armless chair (17 inches high) to a full standing position and sit back down five times consecutively, with arms folded across the chest. A lower time indicates better physical performance and balance, with a normal value considered to be $\\le12$ seconds.

  Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)

• Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test

  This test measures functional mobility, dynamic balance, and the risk of falling. It evaluates the time (in seconds) it takes for a participant to stand up from a chair, walk a distance of 3 meters at a normal pace, turn around, walk back, and sit down again. A completion time of \<12 seconds indicates good mobility, while taking \>12 seconds indicates poor mobility and a higher risk of falls.

  Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)

• Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) Score

  This outcome evaluates the self-reported physical activity levels of the participants over the previous 7 days. The PASE questionnaire calculates a total score based on the frequency, duration, and intensity of activities across three categories: leisure time, household chores, and work-related activities. Scores are categorized into less active (\<125) and active (\>= 125), with a higher score indicating a more active lifestyle.

  Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)

Study Arms (2)

Tai Chi Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Elderly participants diagnosed with sarcopenia who are randomly assigned to participate in a supervised Tai Chi exercise program.

Behavioral: Tai Chi Exercise

Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Elderly participants diagnosed with sarcopenia who are randomly assigned to participate in a standard elderly gymnastics program

Behavioral: Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Exercise

Interventions

Tai Chi Exercise BEHAVIORAL

The intervention group served as the experimental arm and participated in a Tai Chi exercise program. Each of their exercise sessions was led by a Tai Chi instructor and lasted for approximately 60 minutes, which consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of core exercises, and a 10-minute cool-down. The participants in this group completed these training sessions three times a week over an eight-week period. After the eight-week period concluded, post-intervention data from both groups were collected and compared to their initial baseline measurements to evaluate which program yielded a more significant improvement in physical performance.

Tai Chi Exercise Group

Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Exercise BEHAVIORAL

The control group was established to compare the effectiveness of Tai Chi against a more conventional physical activity. Participants in this group engaged in a standard elderly gymnastics program (senam lansia). Their sessions were also guided by an instructor but had a shorter duration, lasting for approximately 30 minutes per session. Just like the intervention group, they performed these exercises three times a week for a total of eight weeks. After the eight-week period concluded, post-intervention data from both groups were collected and compared to their initial baseline measurements to evaluate which program yielded a more significant improvement in physical performance.

Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 60 years or older
• Meets the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS).
• Willing to participate in the study, capable of understanding the informed consent, and physically able to perform Tai Chi movements.
• Must be a resident of Makassar.
• Has either never participated in Tai Chi, or has previous experience with Tai Chi but stopped practicing for more than 4 weeks (ensuring they are not currently active practitioners).

You may not qualify if:

• Cognitive impairment, indicated by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 23 or lower.
• Hearing and/or speech impairments that make communication difficult. Presence of severe chronic diseases, such as heart failure, end-stage chronic kidney disease, malignancy, or the use of a pacemaker.
• Presence of edema (fluid retention/swelling).
• Experiencing lower extremity (leg) pain with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of 5 or greater.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hasanuddin University: lead

Study Sites (1)

GPIB Mount of Olives (Bukit Zaitun Church) Makassar

Makassar, South Sulawesi, 90126, Indonesia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sarcopenia

Interventions

Aquatic Therapy; Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Atrophy; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hydrotherapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Resident of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Faculty of Medicine Hasanuddin University

Model Details: The intervention group served as the experimental arm and participated in a Tai Chi exercise program. Each of their exercise sessions was led by a Tai Chi instructor and lasted for approximately 60 minutes, which consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of core exercises, and a 10-minute cool-down. The participants in this group completed these training sessions three times a week over an eight-week period. On the other hand, the control group was established to compare the effectiveness of Tai Chi against a more conventional physical activity. Participants in this group engaged in a standard elderly gymnastics program (senam lansia). Their sessions were also guided by an instructor but had a shorter duration, lasting for approximately 30 minutes per session. Just like the intervention group, they performed these exercises three times a week for a total of eight weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 12, 2026
• First Posted: September 17, 2026
• Study Start: January 24, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 18, 2026
• Study Completion: April 18, 2026
• Last Updated: September 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ID (1)