During the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine reported (abstract 698) the results of the largest study to date of the Arthritis Foundation’s Tai Chi program.

First, the details.

• 332 participants with arthritis were randomly assigned to treatment.
  • The Arthritis Foundation’s Tai Chi program
  • Control group
• All participants received 6-week follow-up evaluations, after which the control group “crossed over” to received the tai chi course.
• The response to treatment was evaluated using a battery of tests and adjusted for differences between group at the start of the study value, age, gender, and BMI.

And, the results.

• There were significant, modest improvements in the tai chi group for pain, fatigue and stiffness.
• Moderate significant improvements were also seen in helplessness, self-efficacy for pain, symptoms of arthritis, sleep disturbance, and satisfaction with social roles.
• There was improvement in 4 reaching spans (left, right, forward, backward) after treatment.
• No adverse events were noted.

The bottom line?

The Arthritis Foundation charges for its tai chi program. It’s based on Dr. Paul Lam’s 12-step course. An introductory video of his program is here.

11/10/10 21:27 JR