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

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.