Effects of Tai Chi Exercises on Patients Functional Status With Knee Osteoarthritis

Summary

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether Tai Chi exercise, used as an adjunct to standard physiotherapy, can improve balance, functional status, pain, and knee joint mobility in older adults (65-75 years) diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis), compared with standard physiotherapy alone and physiotherapy combined with virtual reality-based training.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does adding Tai Chi to standard physiotherapy lead to greater improvements in static and dynamic balance (Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test) in patients with knee osteoarthritis?

Does Tai Chi result in superior improvements in pain intensity (VAS), functional status (WOMAC), and knee joint range of motion compared with standard physiotherapy and VR-based training?

Researchers will compare three intervention arms-standard physiotherapy, standard physiotherapy plus virtual reality (Kinect-based biofeedback training), and standard physiotherapy plus Tai Chi-to determine whether Tai Chi provides greater clinical and functional benefits than the other rehabilitation approaches.

Participants will:

Receive standard inpatient physiotherapy for knee osteoarthritis

Additionally perform one of the following interventions for 30 minutes daily over 4 weeks:

Tai Chi exercises led by a qualified therapist, focusing on balance, controlled movement, and pain-free execution

Virtual reality-based balance training using a Kinect system

Undergo assessments before and after the intervention period, including pain, balance, functional performance, and knee joint mobility measures

Conditions

• OA Knee

Interventions

OTHER

Tai Chi training

In addition to standard therapy, instead of balance training, the participant performed Tai Chi exercises daily for 30 minutes under the supervision of a qualified therapist. The Tai Chi sessions emphasized balance in a variety of positions engaging the knee joint; the exercises were performed in smooth sequences combined with deep breathing. During the sessions, particular attention was paid to movement quality and the absence of pain during movement.

OTHER

Comprehensive Inpatient Physiotherapy with other standard therapies

who, as part of inpatient physiotherapy, underwent a comprehensive treatment program consisting of: manual therapy-20 minutes daily, including soft tissue techniques and mobilization of the knee joint-and physical therapy modalities including electrotherapy, laser therapy, magnetotherapy, and ultrasound therapy. The patients also performed balance-supporting exercises in the form of balance training, which included: balancing on sensorimotor cushions for 10 minutes in various directions, resistance exercises-leg press on a machine for 3 sets of 15-20 repetitions, semi-squats on sensorimotor cushions for 3 sets of 20 repetitions, and core stability exercises in the supine position for 10 minutes.

OTHER

Kinect-Based Virtual Reality Balance Training with Biofeedback

where, in addition to standard therapy, instead of conventional balance training, the group additionally received exercises using a Kinect-based system on the iStander device (Alreh Medical, Łódź, Poland), which enables safe and engaging therapy in a controlled virtual environment with the use of biofeedback. The exercises were delivered in the form of game-based activities for 30 minutes daily at a moderate level of difficulty.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Grzegorz Mańko

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Grzegorz Mańko, PhD · Department of Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-09

Primary Completion

2025-06-13

Completion

2025-06-13

Countries

• Poland

Study Locations