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The Effects of Tai Chi on Pain and Function in Older Adults with Osteoarthritis

Adler, Patricia Ann
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1168615967

Abstract Details

2007, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Nursing.
Using a modified version of Nagi’s disability model, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Tai Chi on improving impairment (pain, anxiety, depression, balance, muscle strength), functional limitations (mobility, gait), and disability (IADL, life tasks) in elders with osteoarthritis of the lower extremities. The sample consisted of 14 older adults (men = 1, women = 13), aged 60 years and older, randomly assigned to either an experimental (Tai Chi) or control (Bingo) group. Both groups attended 10 weekly, one-hour sessions that were conducted by the investigator. Participants in the Tai Chi group were expected to practice at least 3 times each week for 15 minutes using the videotape and handouts. At pre and posttest, measures were collected for impairment, functional limitations, and disability, and one measure of pain (WOMAC pain subscale] was measured weekly. Self-report measures were used to assess (1) impairment: pain (WOMAC pain subscale), anxiety (state subscale of STAI), depressive symptoms (CES-D), (2) functional limitations: mobility (advanced lower extremity subscale of Function Component of Late-Life FDI (FC-LLFDI), and (3) disability: IADL (OARS, lower extremity subscale of FC-LLFDI), and life tasks (Disability Component of LLFDI). In addition, performance measures were used to evaluate other (1) impairment variables including balance (balance subscale of Tinetti), muscle strength (dynamometer) and (2) functional limitations variables including mobility (Get-Up and Go), and gait (gait subscale of Tinetti). Class attendance, analgesic use, change in health condition, and practice done at home were reported weekly before each Tai Chi class and Bingo session. The number of variables of interest was decreased from nine to two because of the small sample size and increased risk of type I error with multiple analyses. These were pain and muscle strength. The remaining seven variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics and examined for trends. Pain and muscle strength improved, but were not significantly different between groups. Eight of the nine dependent variables (89%), and two muscle strength component variables (40%) showed some improvement. Analgesic medication was not ruled out as a confounder of pain. The current study will serve as a feasibility study for future Tai Chi research.
Marion Good (Advisor)
141 p.
Tai Chi; older adults; exercise; function

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Adler, P. A. (2007). The Effects of Tai Chi on Pain and Function in Older Adults with Osteoarthritis [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1168615967

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Adler, Patricia. The Effects of Tai Chi on Pain and Function in Older Adults with Osteoarthritis. 2007. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1168615967.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Adler, Patricia. "The Effects of Tai Chi on Pain and Function in Older Adults with Osteoarthritis." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1168615967

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1168615967
3,253
© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.