SAN FRANCISCO — The gentle martial art tai chi significantly lessened pain and improved physical function in a randomized, controlled trial in 40 patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Participants were randomly selected to attend hour-long classes twice a week for 12 weeks to learn and practice 10 modified forms of tai chi or to receive wellness education and engage in stretching in a control group. Patient characteristics were similar between groups, with baseline pain scores of 209 in the tai chi group and 220 in the control group on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index, which was the main outcome measure.
After 12 weeks, scores decreased by 157 points in the tai chi group and 39 points in the control group, a significant difference (P = .004), Dr. Chenchen Wang reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.
Although the WOMAC pain scores remained significantly different between groups at 24 weeks, they did not at 48 weeks, as some patients stopped tai chi once the 12-week intervention had ended. Those who continued, however, showed significant improvements in pain and secondary measures of function, compared with controls, said Dr. Wang of Tufts University, Boston.
The tai chi group also showed significant improvements, compared with the control group, in the WOMAC physical function score; the patient and physician global assessment scores (on visual analog scales); a timed chair-stand test; an assessment of knee proprioception; and in depression scores on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale.
Sessions in the current trial included a warm-up, review of technique, and practice of the meditative movements, some of which were modified for the osteoarthritic cohort by incorporating chairs or other accommodations.
Patients were obese, with a baseline body mass index of 30 kg/m
All patients completed the 12-week trial, with 85% attendance in the tai chi sessions and 89% in the control sessions.
The Arthritis Foundation promotes a tai chi practice based on the Sun style that differs in some respects from the Yang style used in the study, she noted.
Tai chi uses an integrated mind-body approach to enhance muscle function, balance, and flexibility. ©Anne Clark/