title: The effectiveness of Tai Chi for patients with Parkinson's disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common degenerative neurological disorder that causes loss of independence and decreased quality of life. The prevalence of PD tends to increase with age. In China, the morbidity rate of PD among people aged more than 65 years old is 1.70%. As an important component of traditional Chinese Qigong exercises, Tai Chi is a popular and safe exercise, especially for older adults in China. And it may result in promising gains for PD patients. However, current evidence is insufficient to inform the use of Tai Chi in the management of PD. Therefore, the aim of this trial is to systematically evaluate the effect of Tai Chi on PD and determine whether Tai Chi is an eligible exercise program for Chinese PD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-blind, parallel randomized controlled trial will be conducted. One hundred and forty-two patients with PD will be randomly assigned to a Tai Chi group (n = 71) or routine exercise group (n = 71). Subjects will participate in supervised study programs 3 times per week for 2 months and will be followed for an additional 6 months after formal training stops. The primary outcome measures include Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test and Six-Minute Walk Test, which are known to be valid and reliable clinical instruments. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Motor Section and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 will be used as the secondary outcome measure. All outcomes will be measured at baseline, 2 and 8 months. The sample for this trial (N = 142) will provide relevant information to detect the improvement of balance, gait and quality of life in either of the 2 exercise groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this study will provide insights into the effects of Tai Chi in people with PD. The information gained from this project has the potential to influence the clinical decisions of Chinese doctors, and will provide clear evidence as to whether Tai Chi should be advocated in people with PD.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The trial was registered at ( ChiCTR-TRC-14004549 ) on 22 April 2014.
authors: Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, 79 Guhuai Rd, Jining, Shandong, China. yanyangdr@126.com.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, 79 Guhuai Rd, Jining, Shandong, China. yanleihaodr@163.com.
authors: Yan-lei
authors: YL
authors: Hao
authors: Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, 79 Guhuai Rd, Jining, Shandong, China. wenlingtiandr@163.com.
authors: Wen-jing
authors: WJ
authors: Tian
authors: Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, 79 Guhuai Rd, Jining, Shandong, China. ligongdr@126.com.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Gong
authors: Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, 79 Guhuai Rd, Jining, Shandong, China. kuizhangdr@163.com.
authors: Kui
authors: K
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, 79 Guhuai Rd, Jining, Shandong, China. qiguangshidr@163.com.
authors: Qi-guang
authors: QG
authors: Shi
authors: Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, 79 Guhuai Rd, Jining, Shandong, China. dafangsundr@163.com.
authors: Da-fang
authors: DF
authors: Sun
authors: Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, 79 Guhuai Rd, Jining, Shandong, China. cuilanlidr@163.com.
authors: Cui-lan
authors: CL
authors: Li
authors: Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, 79 Guhuai Rd, Jining, Shandong, China. zhilingzhaodr@163.com.
authors: Zhi-ling
authors: ZL
authors: Zhao
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002681:China; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012107:Research Design; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D026302:Tai Ji; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome