Seated Tai Chi versus usual activities in older people using wheelchairs: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: Compare the effect of seated Tai Chi exercise (intervention) to usual activities on quality of life and depression symptoms in older people using wheelchairs.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: One long-term care facility in Taiwan.

Participants: 86 long-term care residents were screened; 60 were eligible and randomized to Tai Chi group (n=30), or usual activity (n=30).

Intervention: One certified trainer provided the intervention group with 40min of seated Tai Chi exercise, three times a week for 26 weeks. Trial registration ACTRN12613000029796.

Main outcome measures: Quality of Life (WHOQOL (BREF)); depression symptoms (GDS-SF) RESULTS: Participants in the Tai Chi group (M=3.76, SD=3.65) recorded significantly lower GDS-SF scores than participants in the control (M=7.76, SD=5.15) and the Tai Chi group registered significantly higher scores across overall QOL [p=0.03], general health [p=0.04], and the associated domains: physical health [p=0.00], psychological health [p=0.02], social relations [p=0.00], and environment [p=0.00].

Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of Tai Chi in improving QOL and depression in this population.

Keywords: Depression; Long-term care; Quality of life; Tai Chi.