title: Design and methods of the Gentle Cardiac Rehabilitation Study--A behavioral study of tai chi exercise for patients not attending cardiac rehabilitation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs reduce overall and cardiovascular mortality in patients with a history of acute coronary events or revascularization procedures, but only 30% of patients enroll in CR and attrition rates reach up to 60%. Tai chi, a mind-body practice based on light/moderate aerobic exercise accompanied by meditative components could be a possible exercise option for patients who do not attend CR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients will be randomized to a "LITE" condition (one tai chi session twice weekly for 12 weeks) or to a "PLUS" condition (one tai chi session 3 times weekly for 12 weeks, followed by maintenance classes 1-2 times weekly for an additional 12 weeks). Measurements will be conducted at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9 months after enrollment. The primary outcome is to determine the feasibility, acceptability and safety of each dose. Secondary outcomes include estimates of effect size of each dose on accelerometry-assessed physical activity; the proportion of patients meeting current recommendations for physical activity; and measures of fitness, quality of life, body weight, and sleep. In addition, we will collect exploratory information on possible mediators (exercise self-efficacy, perceived social support, resilience, mindfulness, and depression).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this pilot study will provide preliminary indications about the usefulness of tai chi as an exercise option for patients not attending traditional CR programs. Results will also shed light on the possible mechanisms by which tai chi practice may improve overall physical activity among patients with atherosclerotic coronary heart disease.
authors.affiliation: The Miriam Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, United States. Electronic address: Elena_Salmoirago-Blotcher@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salmoirago-Blotcher
authors.affiliation: Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Brigham and Women Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wayne
authors.affiliation: The Miriam Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, United States.
authors.forename: Beth C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Bock
authors.affiliation: The Miriam Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, United States.
authors.forename: Shira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dunsiger
authors.affiliation: The Miriam Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, United States.
authors.forename: Wen-Chih
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: The Miriam Hospital, United States.
authors.forename: Loren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stabile
authors.affiliation: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, United States.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yeh
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010809:Physical Fitness; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012890:Sleep; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Cardiovascular prevention; Fitness; Mindfulness; Physical activity; Tai chi