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Tai Chi, Physiologic Complexity, and Healthy Aging

NCT01340365 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: PHASE2 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 60

Last updated 2013-11-28

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

To evaluate the effects of Tai Chi-a mind-body exercise--on age-related loss of physiological complexity (using fractal and entropy based measures), and to understand the relationship between complexity, function and adaptability, we will conduct a two-arm prospective randomized clinical trial. Our overarching goal is to evaluate if six months of Tai Chi training, compared to a waitlist control receiving standard medical care, can enhance physiological complexity and adaptability in older Tai Chi-naïve adults. Secondary goals of the study are to characterize the relationship between complexity biomarkers, measures of function, and resilience. This pilot study will inform a future more definitive trial by providing information on recruitment and retention, compliance, dose-dependent effects, preliminary estimates of effect size, and the optimal biomarkers of complexity, function, and adaptive capacity.

Conditions

  • Healthy Aging

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Tai Chi Exercise

Practicing Tai Chi exercise 4 times a week for 6 months - twice in a classroom and twice independently

BEHAVIORAL

Tai Chi

Usual care, individuals attend testing sessions for 6 months with testing at times 0, 3, and 6 months. Individuals in Usual Care receive 3 months of Tai Chi at the study end.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Principal Investigators

  • Peter M Wayne, PhD · Harvard Medical School (HMS and HSDM)

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Max Age
79 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2011-03-31
Primary Completion
2013-10-31
Completion
2013-10-31

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Companies

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT01340365 on ClinicalTrials.gov