EFFECTS OF TAI CHI ON MULTISITE PAIN AND PHYSICAL FUNCTION IN OLDER ADULTS

摘要

Chronic pain is associated with a decline in physical function and an increased risk of falls in older adults. This study examined the effects of Tai Chi on pain severity, pain interference and physical function in older adults with multisite pain. Fifty-four community-dwelling older adults with multisite pain who reported falling in the past year or currently used an assisted device were randomized into a light exercise program or a Tai Chi program offered twice a week for 12 weeks. Pain severity and pain interference were measured using subscales of the Brief Pain Inventory, and physical function was measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Paired t-tests were used to assess changes within each group, and independent t-tests were used to assess differences between groups. Twenty-three participants in the light exercise group and twenty-two participants in the Tai Chi group completed the study. There were significant improvements only in the Tai Chi group in pain severity score (p=0.01) and pain interference score (p=0.04); however, there were no significant group differences in changes of pain scores. There were no significant improvements in SPPB scores in either group. Therefore, pain severity and pain interference were improved after a 12-week Tai Chi intervention in older adults with multisite pain; however, no between-group differences were detected, likely due to a small sample size. A larger study with longer term is required to examine the effectiveness of Tai Chi on multisite pain and physical function in older adults. (Supported by NIH Grant R21 AG043883)