title: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Tai Chi versus Brisk Walking in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Protocol for a Ranomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: Physical inactivity is one of the major modifiable lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This protocol aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi versus brisk walking in reducing CVD risk factors. This is a randomized controlled trial with three arms, namely, Tai Chi group, walking group, and control group. The Tai Chi group will receive Tai Chi training, which consists of two 60-min sessions each week for three months, and self-practice for 30 min every day. The walking group will perform brisk walking for 30 min every day. The control group will receive their usual care. 246 subjects with CVD risk factors will be recruited from two outpatient clinics. The primary outcome is blood pressure. Secondary outcomes include fasting blood for lipid profile, sugar and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c); body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage; perceived stress level and quality of life. Data collections will be conducted at baseline, 3-month, 6-month and 9-month. Generalized estimating equations model will be used to compare the changes in outcomes across time between groups. It is expected that both the Tai Chi and walking groups could maintain better health and have improved quality of life, and that Tai Chi will be more effective than brisk walking in reducing CVD risk factors.
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. aileenchan@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Aileen W K
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. janet.sit@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Janet W H
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sit
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. sychair@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Sek Ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chair
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. dorisleung@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Doris Y P
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. tzefanlee@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Diana T F
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. elizawong@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Eliza M L
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, Kwong Wah Hospital, 25 Waterloo Road, Yaumatei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. lcwfung@ha.org.hk.
authors.forename: Lawrence C W
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Fung
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D026302:Tai Ji; D055105:Waist Circumference; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human
keywords: Tai Chi; brisk walking; cardiovascular risk factors