Tai Chi is effective in treating knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Current guidelines consider non-pharmacological treatment modalities as the cornerstones in modern management of OA with information, exercise, and weight loss as core treatments (NICE 2008). Although this trial involved instruction by a Tai Chi master and selected participants, the study results might encourage physiotherapists to consider Tai Chi as an alternative, or additional, form of exercise for persons with knee OA.

Wang C¹, Schmid CH, Hibberd PL, Kalish R, Roubenoff R, Rones R, McAlindon T.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms.

METHODS:

We conducted a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial of 40 individuals with symptomatic tibiofemoral OA. Patients were randomly assigned to 60 minutes of Tai Chi (10 modified forms from classic Yang style) or attention control (wellness education and stretching) twice weekly for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included WOMAC function, patient and physician global assessments, timed chair stand, depression index, self-efficacy scale, and quality of life. We repeated these assessments at 24 and 48 weeks. Analyses were compared by intent-to-treat principles.

RESULTS:

The 40 patients had a mean age of 65 years and a mean body mass index of 30.0 kg/m(2). Compared with the controls, patients assigned to Tai Chi exhibited significantly greater improvement in WOMAC pain (mean difference at 12 weeks -118.80 mm [95% confidence interval (95% CI) -183.66, -53.94; P = 0.0005]), WOMAC physical function (-324.60 mm [95% CI -513.98, -135.22; P = 0.001]), patient global visual analog scale (VAS; -2.15 cm [95% CI -3.82, -0.49; P = 0.01]), physician global VAS (-1.71 cm [95% CI -2.75, -0.66; P = 0.002]), chair stand time (-10.88 seconds [95% CI -15.91, -5.84; P = 0.00005]), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (-6.70 [95% CI -11.63, -1.77; P = 0.009]), self-efficacy score (0.71 [95% CI 0.03, 1.39; P = 0.04]), and Short Form 36 physical component summary (7.43 [95% CI 2.50, 12.36; P = 0.004]). No severe adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSION:

Tai Chi reduces pain and improves physical function, self-efficacy, depression, and health-related quality of life for knee OA.

Learn more about the predecessor of Tai Chi, Shaolin Rou Quan

Please look at this study too

Tai Chi reduces pain and improves physical function for people with knee OA. [J Physiother. 2010]