title: Tai-chi for residential patients with schizophrenia on movement coordination, negative symptoms, and functioning: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Objective. Patients with schizophrenia residing at institutions often suffer from negative symptoms, motor, and functional impairments more severe than their noninstitutionalized counterparts. Tai-chi emphasizes body relaxation, alertness, and movement coordination with benefits to balance, focus, and stress relief. This pilot study explored the efficacy of Tai-chi on movement coordination, negative symptoms, and functioning disabilities towards schizophrenia. Methods. A randomized waitlist control design was adopted, where participants were randomized to receive either the 6-week Tai-chi program and standard residential care or only the latter. 30 Chinese patients with schizophrenia were recruited from a rehabilitation residency. All were assessed on movement coordination, negative symptoms, and functional disabilities at baseline, following intervention and 6 weeks after intervention. Results. Tai-chi buffered from deteriorations in movement coordination and interpersonal functioning, the latter with sustained effectiveness 6 weeks after the class was ended. Controls showed marked deteriorations in those areas. The Tai-chi group also experienced fewer disruptions to life activities at the 6-week maintenance. There was no significant improvement in negative symptoms after Tai-chi. Conclusions. This study demonstrated encouraging benefits of Tai-chi in preventing deteriorations in movement coordination and interpersonal functioning for residential patients with schizophrenia. The ease of implementation facilitates promotion at institutional psychiatric services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ; Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Rainbow T H
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Friendly S W
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Au Yeung
authors.forename: Phyllis H Y
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Kit Ying
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Kelvin O K
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Irene K M
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Siu Man
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ng