A randomized trial of tai chi for fibromyalgia.
BACKGROUND
Previous research has suggested that tai chi offers a therapeutic benefit in patients with fibromyalgia.


METHODS
We conducted a single-blind, randomized trial of classic Yang-style tai chi as compared with a control intervention consisting of wellness education and stretching for the treatment of fibromyalgia (defined by American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria). Sessions lasted 60 minutes each and took place twice a week for 12 weeks for each of the study groups. The primary end point was a change in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) score (ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms) at the end of 12 weeks. Secondary end points included summary scores on the physical and mental components of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). All assessments were repeated at 24 weeks to test the durability of the response.


RESULTS
Of the 66 randomly assigned patients, the 33 in the tai chi group had clinically important improvements in the FIQ total score and quality of life. Mean (+/-SD) baseline and 12-week FIQ scores for the tai chi group were 62.9+/-15.5 and 35.1+/-18.8, respectively, versus 68.0+/-11 and 58.6+/-17.6, respectively, for the control group (change from baseline in the tai chi group vs. change from baseline in the control group, -18.4 points; P<0.001). The corresponding SF-36 physical-component scores were 28.5+/-8.4 and 37.0+/-10.5 for the tai chi group versus 28.0+/-7.8 and 29.4+/-7.4 for the control group (between-group difference, 7.1 points; P=0.001), and the mental-component scores were 42.6+/-12.2 and 50.3+/-10.2 for the tai chi group versus 37.8+/-10.5 and 39.4+/-11.9 for the control group (between-group difference, 6.1 points; P=0.03). Improvements were maintained at 24 weeks (between-group difference in the FIQ score, -18.3 points; P<0.001). No adverse events were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Tai chi may be a useful treatment for fibromyalgia and merits long-term study in larger study populations. (Funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00515008.)
Wang
Chenchen
C
Division of Rheumatology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA. cwang2@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
Schmid
Christopher H
CH
Rones
Ramel
R
Kalish
Robert
R
Yinh
Janeth
J
Goldenberg
Don L
DL
Lee
Yoojin
Y
McAlindon
Timothy
T
D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012890:Sleep; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D026302:Tai Ji; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2000 Feb;26(1):145-59, x-xi
10680202
Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1993 Sep;15(5):284-9
8307341
Arch Intern Med. 2007 Nov 12;167(20):2192-200
17998491
Pain. 2001 Nov;94(2):149-158
11690728
JAMA. 1996 Oct 2;276(13):1039-47
8847764
J Occup Med. 1989 Jun;31(6):536-46
2786559
Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Nov 15;61(11):1545-53
19877092
J Psychiatr Res. 1975 Nov;12(3):189-98
1202204
Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Feb 15;61(2):216-24
19177530
J Rheumatol. 1991 May;18(5):728-33
1865419
J Clin Psychol. 2006 Mar;62(3):373-86
16385481
BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2008 Jul 29;9:108
18664276
Psychiatry Res. 1989 May;28(2):193-213
2748771
J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jan-Feb;14(1):95-102
18199021
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007 Apr;55(4):511-7
17397428
J Rheumatol. 2009 Jun;36(6):1304-11
19369473
Curr Pharm Des. 2006;12(1):59-66
16454725
Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Feb 15;57(1):77-85
17266067
Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Apr;54(4):1334-9
16575859
Arthritis Rheum. 1990 Feb;33(2):160-72
2306288
Med Sport Sci. 2008;52:218-229
18487901
Ann Rheum Dis. 2008 Apr;67(4):536-41
17644548
Arthritis Rheum. 1989 Jan;32(1):37-44
2912463
Gerontologist. 2002 Oct;42(5):589-602
12351794
J Rheumatol. 2000 Oct;27(10):2473-81
11036846
Arch Intern Med. 2004 Mar 8;164(5):493-501
15006825
Orthop Nurs. 2003 Sep-Oct;22(5):353-60
14595996
JAMA. 2004 Nov 17;292(19):2388-95
15547167
Arthritis Rheum. 1997 Sep;40(9):1560-70
9324009
J Rheumatol. 2003 Oct;30(10):2257-62
14528526
Natl Health Stat Report. 2008 Dec 10;(12):1-23
19361005
J Rheumatol. 2008 Jun;35(6):1130-44
18464301
Psychosom Med. 2003 Jul-Aug;65(4):564-70
12883106
J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2009 Jun;16(2):200-7
19277851
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010 May 21;10:23
20492638
Arthritis Rheum. 1995 Jan;38(1):19-28
7818567
J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Sep;15(9):969-73
19757974
Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2009 May;35(2):373-91
19647149
J Rheumatol. 1999 Oct;26(10):2233-7
10529146
Arthritis Care Res. 2000 Aug;13(4):198-204
14635274