title: Applying Tai Chi as a rehabilitation program for stroke patients in the recovery phase: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As the second commonest cause of death and a major cause of disability worldwide, stroke has greatly influenced patients' quality of life and created a huge public health burden. As a special form of physical activity that has been widely practiced in China, and even throughout the world, Tai Chi may be favorable for the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the rehabilitative effects of Tai Chi for stroke patients, but none of them have been focused on the recovery phase (2 to 24 weeks) of stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. A total of 50 eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group or a Tai Chi group. Patients in the control group will receive standard, conventional rehabilitation therapies, and a combination of Tai Chi and conventional rehabilitation programs will be applied in the Tai Chi group. The recovery of motor impairment, functional activity and balance abilities as measured with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Barthel Index and Berg Balance Scale will be assessed as primary outcome measures. The secondary outcome measures to be used are the scores on the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and the objective parameters of the RSscan footscan gait system. All assessments will be conducted at baseline, 4 weeks after the rehabilitation course and at the end of 3-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study will provide preliminary evidence regarding the efficacy and feasibility of Tai Chi as an additional rehabilitative program for stroke patients in the recovery phase.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Chinese Clinical Trial Register ID: ChiCTR-TRC-13003661 (7 October 2013).
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hongwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: He
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Yihuai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Dongzhimen Hospital affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No, 5, Haiyuncang, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100700, China. lee_zongheng@163.com.
authors.forename: Zongheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012107:Research Design; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D026302:Tai Ji; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome