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Effectiveness of Tai Chi on Cardiac Autonomic Function and Symptomatology in Women With Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT03016585 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 37

Last updated 2020-11-03

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Fibromyalgia (FM) is an idiopathic disease affecting approximately 3% of the world population, primarily diagnosed in middle-aged women. Although FM is mainly characterized by chronic pain and fatigue, reduced muscular strength and flexibility are common symptoms associated with the presentation of the disorder. Interestingly, the etiology and underlying mechanism of FM are not completely understood, but previous findings suggest that autonomic dysfunction may explain some of the FM symptoms.

Compared to age-matched healthy individuals, patients with FM have an attenuated autonomic function which is associated with a reduction in vagal tone and increase in sympathetic activity. Therefore, autonomic function is a worthwhile target intervention in individuals with FM. Although traditional exercise ( both aerobic and resistance) has been shown to effectively improve HRV parameters and FM symptoms, most FM patients display a decline in adherence to traditional exercise and continue to experience considerable pain and fatigue years after the original diagnosis ultimately requiring medication to control their symptoms.Thus, new approaches are needed to improve autonomic function and clinical symptoms in patients with FM, which will ultimately improve their physical and emotional functioning leading to a better quality of life.

Tai Chi (TC) is a form of ancient Chinese martial art which integrates slow movements, controlled breathing and mental concentration. TC training is safe for special populations and has previously shown to decrease pain, fatigue as well as other FM related symptoms.However, the potential role of TC training on autonomic function is largely unexplored.

The investigators hypothesis is that 12 weeks of TC training would improve our primary outcome of autonomic function through improvements in sympathovagal balance, and the secondary outcomes measures of FM symptoms (pain, fatigue and sleep quality), strength and flexibility.

Conditions

  • Fibromyalgia

Interventions

OTHER

Tai Chi Training

Participants practiced, under supervised instruction, 10 forms from the classic Yang style of Tai Chi 3 times per wk for 12 weeks.The Tai Chi sessions lasted approximately 55 minutes and included a 10-minute warm up, 40 minutes of practice and exercise finalizing with a 5-minute cooldown period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Marymount University

    collaborator OTHER

  • Pusan National University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
30 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2016-01-31
Primary Completion
2016-05-31
Completion
2016-05-31

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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 NCT03016585 on ClinicalTrials.gov