EFFECTS OF TAI CHI ON FUNCTIONAL FITNESS AND SUBJECTIVE HEALTH STATUS IN OLDER JAPANESE RETURNEES FROM CHINA : A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL / 体力科学

ABSTRACT

<b>Background</b> Tai Chi is suitable for most Chinese immigrants, because it is an ancient fitness exercise with Chinese cultural background. Research has suggested that Tai Chi improves functional fitness and reduces stress and anxiety.<b>Purpose</b> The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short and long effects of a 3-month Tai Chi exercise program on the functional fitness and subjective health status of older Japanese returnees from China.<b>Design</b> Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT).<b>Method</b> After obtaining informed consent, 54 participants (63.5±3.7 yrs) were randomly allocated into either an intervention group (n=27) or a control group (n=27). The intervention program included 60-minutes of Tai Chi and a health talk, etc. The program was offered once a week for a 3-month period with home-based Tai Chi performed daily. Interview surveys included items such as demography, self-related health, habits of exercise, history of falls, etc. The participants also underwent evaluations for functional fitness. Data were collected at baseline, 12 weeks, and a 3-month follow-up. A description of the intervention group's impressions about Tai Chi was added at the end of the program. Repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Cochran's Q-test were taken to test for changes in outcome variable.<b>Results</b> There were no significant differences in any of the baseline characteristics between the intervention and control groups. At the program completion and 3-month follow-up, the intervention group showed the following (1) a significantly better performance in functional fitness time interaction for one leg standing time with eyes opened (<i>P</i><0.01) and closed (<i>P</i><0.01), functional reach (<i>P</i><0.01), tandem walking (<i>P</i><0.01), Timed Up & Go (<i>P</i><0.05), and walking speed (<i>P</i><0.01) ; (2) significantly better improvement in self-rated health (<i>P</i><0.01), life satisfaction (<i>P</i><0.01), and concern about own health (<i>P</i><0.01) ; (3) As to impressions, 85.2% responded “We feel that Tai Chi is an intimate activity in our lives” ; and 63.0% reported “We are attached to Tai Chi, and we do Tai Chi to restore confidence in our health” in the intervention group. By comparison, no significant changes in control group were observed.<b>Conclusion</b> These results showed that Tai Chi is effective for functional fitness and subjective health status in older Japanese returnees from China. This study also provides a valuable example of investigating the significance of culturally relevant interventions for Chinese immigrants, especially the aged.