title: Comparative Effectiveness of Tai Chi Versus Physical Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few remedies effectively treat long-term pain and disability from knee osteoarthritis. Studies suggest that Tai Chi alleviates symptoms, but no trials have directly compared Tai Chi with standard therapies for osteoarthritis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare Tai Chi with standard physical therapy for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, 52-week, single-blind comparative effectiveness trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01258985).
  
  
  METHODS
  An urban tertiary care academic hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  204 participants with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (mean age, 60 years; 70% women; 53% white).
  
  
  METHODS
  Tai Chi (2 times per week for 12 weeks) or standard physical therapy (2 times per week for 6 weeks, followed by 6 weeks of monitored home exercise).
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included physical function, depression, medication use, and quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 12 weeks, the WOMAC score was substantially reduced in both groups (Tai Chi, 167 points [95% CI, 145 to 190 points]; physical therapy, 143 points [CI, 119 to 167 points]). The between-group difference was not significant (24 points [CI, -10 to 58 points]). Both groups also showed similar clinically significant improvement in most secondary outcomes, and the benefits were maintained up to 52 weeks. Of note, the Tai Chi group had significantly greater improvements in depression and the physical component of quality of life. The benefit of Tai Chi was consistent across instructors. No serious adverse events occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients were aware of their treatment group assignment, and the generalizability of the findings to other settings remains undetermined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tai Chi produced beneficial effects similar to those of a standard course of physical therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health of the National Institutes of Health.
authors.forename: Chenchen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Christopher H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Maura D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Iversen
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: Roger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Fielding
authors.forename: Jeffrey B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Driban
authors.forename: Lori Lyn
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Kieran F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Ramel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rones
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McAlindon
mesh_terms: D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D026302:Tai Ji; D016896:Treatment Outcome