Pre-post Comparisons on Physical Symptoms, Balance, Muscle Strength, Physical Functioning, and Depression in Women with Osteoarthritis after 12-week Tai Chi Exercise

타이치 운동교실 참여 후 골관절염 여성환자의 통증, 체력, 신체기능 및 우울의 변화

Objective. The 12 forms of Sun-style Tai Chi exercise has been developed specifically for arthritis patients in order to reduce their symptoms and to improve physical functioning. This quasi-experimental study examined the changes in pain, balance, muscle strength and physical functioning in women with osteoarthritis at the completion of the 12 week Tai Chi exercise program. Methods. The patients with osteoarthritis who signed the consent form were screened by their primary physician according to the inclusion criteria and invited to the study. Total of 66 osteoarthritis women with an average age of 63 years were participated in the Tai Chi exercise. At the completion of 12 weeks, 34 patients completed both pretest and posttest measures with 48% of overall dropout rate. Outcome measures were physical symptoms, balance, muscle strength, physical functioning, and depression. Paired t-test was utilized to examine differences between pre and post-measures. Results. After participating in the Tai Chi exercise program, the women with osteoarthritis showed significant improvements in their physical fitness measures, and consequently in their physical functioning. In physical fitness test, there were significant improvements in balance, flexibility, muscle strengths of knee, grip, and back muscles after the Tai Chi exercise. However, No significant differences were found in pain and stiffness of their knee joints and depression measure. Conclusion. The 12 forms of Tai Chi exercise has been found safely applicable to the older women with osteoarthritis for 12 weeks, and effective in improving balance, flexibility, and muscle strengths, and consequently lessening difficulties of performing their activities of daily life.