• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.159-168
• /
• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine effect of Tai-Chi exercise program on joint flexibility for osteoarthritis patients. To evaluate the effects, quasi-experimental study was used for pre and post test with a nonequivalent control group. Method: Fifty-tow subjects participated in the experiment(twenty-seven for experimental group and twenty-five for control group) and they were from two different senior citizen centers in J city. The experiment period was from April 2002 through August 2002. The experiment group took part in Tai-Chi exercise program for eighteen weeks(three times a week for four weeks and five times a week for fourteen week). The exercise was performed for 50 minutes at every time (15 minutes for warm-up, 30 minutes for Tai-Chi exercise, and 5 minutes for ending). In order to pursue study purpose, the SPSS/WIN 8.0 program was chosen for the statistical analysis; ANCOVA was employed in examining test hypothesis; t-test and $x^2$-test were used to examine homogeneity between experimental and control group. Result: The study results were as follows :Score of vertebral joint flexibility increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of wrist joint extension increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of wrist joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of elbow joint extension increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of elbow joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. There was a slight increase of knee joint extension in the Tai-Chi exercise group compared to control group, but without statistical significance. Score of knee joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of ankle plantar flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of ankle dorsiflexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Conclusion: As shown in the results, Tai-Chi exercise program can be effective nursing intervention for osteoarthritis patient to improve joint flexibility.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.57-68
• /
• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 6- week Tai-Chi program on improving pain, sleep disturbance, mood, and fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Method: Sixteen subjects were assigned for experimental group and fifteen were assigned for control group. The subjects of the experimental group participated in a 6-week program of Tai-Chi. Each Tai-Chi class was conducted by a certified Tai-Chi instructor. In order to evaluate the effects of Tai-Chi program, pain, sleep disturbance, mood and fatigue were measured before and after the 6th session Result: After 6-week Tai-Chi program, there were significant improvement in mood & sleep disturbance in the experimental group when compared to the control group However, there were no significant differences in pain intensity and fatigue between Tai-Chi group and control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that a 6-week Tai-Chi program can be utilized as an safe and effective nursing program to improve mood and sleep disturbance in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Long term studies of the effects of Tai-Chi on the pain intensity and fatigue may be import.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.83-93
• /
• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of Tai Chi self-help program and Tai Chi exercise in patients with osteoarthritis. Methods: quasi experimental design was utilized for the study to compare the effects after implementing tai chi self-help program and Tai Chi exercise for 6 weeks. The subjects of the study was osteoarthritis patients who visited to two Public Health Centers in Gyunggi-do from August to December, 2005. Total of 25 OA patients agreed to participate in the study, and 10 tai chi self-help program group and 9 Tai Chi exercise group were included for the final analysis after 6 weeks. Tai Chi self-help program was provided twice a week, 2 hours per session (one hour for tai chi exercise, one hour for self help program) for 6 weeks, and Tai Chi exercise group was provided once a week, 2 hours per session for 6 weeks. Outcome measures include flexibility, 6 m walking, and balance. Mann-Whitney U test of SPSS WIN 11.0 was utilized to compare the group differences. Results: The subjects of both program participants were not improved in their arm flexibility, and the difference was not significant. Tai chi self-help group improved more in their 6 m walking ability than Tai Chi exercise group, but the difference was not significant (F=.000, p>.05). Tai chi self-help group improved more in their balance than Tai Chi exercise group, but the difference was not significant (Rt: U=.24, p>.05; Lt: F=2.60, p>.05). Conclusion: The provision of both Tai Chi self-help program and Tai Chi exercise can lead improvement of 6 m walking, and balance, but the group difference was not significant. A rigorous research design should be further utilized to identify the potential benefits for this population.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.10-21
• /
• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted to describe the meaning units of the teaching experience of Tai Chi instructor with nursing background, consequently to expand areas where nurses can work. Methods: Participants were four nurses who have worked as Tai Chi instructors for 5 to 8 years. An in-depth interview was conducted from June, 2010 to February, 2011. Each interview took 40 min to 4 hours. The data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis, by repeatedly listening to the tapes and reading the transcription to find the emerged meaningful words, phrases, and sentences. Results: Through the content analysis, 19 theme clusters were emerged and grouped together into seven categories: 'establishing my identity as an instructor', 'enjoying myself practicing Tai Chi', 'being confident about teaching Tai Chi with nursing background', 'exploring better ways to teach and motivate the class', 'feeling good about helping people to be healthy', 'accepting teaching Tai Chi as a lifetime job', 'contributing to health promotion with Tai Chi." Conclusion: Teaching and helping others to promote health were parts of nursing. Tai Chi can be used to promote health in the low-income population with limited access to health care system.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.42-48
• /
• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Tai Chi exercise on pain, balance, gait and physical function of patients with low back pain. Method: This study was designed one group pretest-posttest design. Tai Chi exercise was conducted by researcher and carried out for sixty minutes per one time and two times a week for six weeks. The subjects of this study consisted of 23 low back patients. Using the SPSS win 10.0 program was used for data analysis, which included frequency, percentage and paired t-test. Result: Tai Chi exercise decreased pain, improved balance and gait, increased physical function(back muscle strength, leg muscle strength and flexibility). Conclusion: The results suggested Tai Chi exercise can be effective nursing intervention to improve pain, balance, gait and physical function of patients with low back pain.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.5-23
• /
• 2008

Purpose: This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the physical, psychosocial and physiological effects of Tai Chi exercise in elderly. Method: 37 articles from Medline search of foreign journals (1966-2006) were surveyed by the key words 'Tai Chi', 'Tai-chi program' and 'Tai-chi and elderly' limiting the range to age 65 or older, choosing clinical trial and randomized controlled trial research in English articles. Four articles were excluded due to methodological study, pilot study and review. The research was analyzed according to health status of the subjects, styles and forms of Tai Chi exercises, factors for physical, psychosocial and physiological measures. Result: A short forming Yang style was commonly used in chronic diseases and health for elderly. Variable outcome measures were used in Tai Chi studies relating to balance, muscle strength, walking and mobility, flexibility and cardiorespiratory function in physical measure, quality of life, depression, self-efficacy, health status, cognition and impact questionnaire in psychosocial measure, lipids, insulin resistance and hormone in physiological measure. Conclusion: Tai Chi exercise appears to have physical and psychosocial benefits and also appears to be safe for elderly and chronic diseases. It is suggested that future studies analyze statistical part of systematic reviews through meta analysis.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.61-73
• /
• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 8- week Tai Chi exercise program on improving the risk factors for falls in the older adults with chronic arthritis pain. Method: Fifteen subjects were assigned for experimental group and thirteen were assigned for control group. The subjects of the experimental group participated in a 8 -week program of Tai Chi exercise. In order to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi program, pain intensity, postural stability, balance, gait, and flexibility of knees and ankles were measured before the first and after the 8th session Result: After a 8-week Tai Chi program, there were significant improvement in single-leg stance time with eyes open(left: p=.000, right: p=.003), total scores of balance(p=.004), total scores of gait(p=.005), and the angle of ankle dorsiflexion(p=.008) in the experimental group when compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference in pain intensity between Tai Chi group and control group(p=.054). Conclusion: These results suggest that a 8-week Tai Chi exercise program can be utilized as a safe and effective nursing program to improve on improving the risk factors for falls in the older adults with osteoarthritis.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.288-297
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of Tai Chi in women with osteoarthritis. Methods: Data were collected by face-to-face interview from 14 participants. Theoretical sampling was performed until the concepts were saturated. The main question was "How do you describe your experience of Tai Chi?" Data were analyzed using a grounded theory methodology. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Results: The Phenomenon is 'QI flowing'. The core category was identified with 'inspiring one's life with strength'. This series of processes was categorized into four stages: 'Challenging Tai chi', 'Doing one's best', 'Deplenishing (the word used in English and Tai chi is emptying one's mind) one's mind', 'Taking a Positive view of life'. Conclusion: The finding of this study will offer profound understanding about the reported tai chi's experience. Additional research should be done as to the role of Tai chi as a nursing intervention strategy for osteoarthritis patients.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.101-113
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to systematically analyze the effect of Tai Chi as therapeutic exercise on depressing blood pressure. Methods : We reviewed articles published in the PubMed, Chinese Academic Journals(CAJ) and five Korean databases. The searching keywords were "Tai chi AND blood pressure" and "Tai chi AND hypertension". We evaluated the quality with Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results : In the 114 articles searched, 7 randomized controlled clinical trials were selected. Yang(楊) style Tai chi, exercising over 30 minutes a time and over three times a week, had an effect on decreasing blood pressure. However, Wu(吳) style Tai chi was not effective in decreasing blood pressure. Conclusions : Usual exercises for hypertension patients should be performed in the form of moderate exercises intensity for 10-26 weeks by 30-60 minute a time, over 3 times a week. The study of Tai Chi on blood pressure needs to follow this criteria in the future.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.20-30
• /
• 2006

Purpose: To determine the effect of Tai Chi exercise program on fatigue, stress, and quality of life in middle aged women. Method: The study was designed as a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study. Thirty subjects were assigned for experimental group and thirty four subjects were assigned for control group. The subjects in the experimental group were participated in Tai Chi exercise program for 60 minutes per session 3 times a week for 8weeks. Tai Chi exercise program consists of 10 minutes warm-up, 45 minutes main, and 5 minutes cooling down exercises. In order to evaluate the effect of Tai Chi exercise program, fatigue, stress, and qualify of life were assessed by measuring the condition of the participants in respect of fatigue, stress, and qualify of life with questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using $x^2-test$, Fisher's exact test, t-test by a SAS-pc+ 8.12 program. Result: After 8 weeks Tai Chi exercise program, there were significant improvement in fatigue, stress, and quality of life in middle aged women. Conclusion: Tai Chi exercise program can be an effective nursing intervention to improve fatigue, stress, and quality of life in middle aged women.