title: Evaluation of Tai Chi Program Effectiveness for People with Arthritis in the Community: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate effectiveness of the Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program for community participants with arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  343 individuals were randomized to either the intervention or wait-list control group. Performance and self-reported outcome (SRO) measures were assessed at baseline and eight weeks. At one year, SROs only were assessed. Adjusted means were determined using regression models adjusting for covariates, and effect sizes (ES) were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average participant age was 66 years, 87% were female, and 87% were Caucasian. Among 284 (83%) participants who returned at eight weeks, balance by reach (ES = 0.30) and helplessness, sleep, and role participation satisfaction (ES = 0.24-0.54) improved significantly; pain, fatigue, and stiffness improvement (ES = 0.15-0.23) approached significance. No change was noted in mobility, lower extremity strength, or single-leg stance balance. At one year, improvements in pain, fatigue, stiffness, helplessness, and role participation satisfaction at eight weeks were maintained; 30% continued tai chi practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Moderate effectiveness of the Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program was confirmed.
authors.affiliation: Thurston Arthritis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: Leigh F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Callahan
authors.forename: Rebecca J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cleveland
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Altpeter
authors.forename: Betsy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hackney
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012890:Sleep; D026302:Tai Ji; D016896:Treatment Outcome