Korean J Health Promot.  2013 Dec;13(4):148-155.

Effects of Tai Chi Exercise Program for Health Promotion in Middle Aged Women with Osteoarthritis

• Cho GY
• Paek YJ
• Kim YH

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Tai Chi exercise program on physical symptoms (pain, stiffness) and physical function (difficulty with physical function) related to joint, stress, depression, and sleep disturbance in middle aged women with osteoarthritis.
METHODS
The study was conducted with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Forty participants were assigned to either the experimental group (20) or control group (20). Tai Chi exercise program was administered twice a week for 12 weeks to participants in experimental group. Data were collected from October 4 to December 24, 2011 and analyzed using chi2-test and t-test.
RESULTS
There were significant differences between groups in joint pain score (z=-2.029, P=0.047) of Korean-Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis (K-WOMAC) index and depression score (z=-2.566, P=0.010). However, there were no significant differences in stiffness score and physical function score of K-WOMAC index, stress score and sleep disturbance score.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this study indicate that Tai Chi exercise program are effective in reducing joint pain and depression in osteoarthritis women. It could be regarded as positive program for health promotion of self-care skills in middle-aged women with osteoarthritis.

Keyword

Tai Chi; Middle aged; Osteoarthritis; Health promotion

MeSH Terms

Arthralgia
Depression
Female
Health Promotion*
Humans
Joints
Middle Aged*
Ontario
Osteoarthritis*
Self Care
Tai Ji*