Tai Chi or Hydrotherapy for People With Osteoarthritis of the Hip(s) or Knee(s) - Full Text View

Sponsors and Collaborators:	St George Hospital, Australia Department of Health and Aging, Commonwealth Government, Australia. St George Division of General Practice, NSW, Australia. The University of New South Wales
Information provided by:	St George Hospital, Australia
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00123994

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine, in the framework of a randomized controlled clinical trial, whether Tai Chi can affect measurable improvements in self-reported outcomes such as pain, physical function and psychological well-being in people with osteoarthritis (OA) mainly affecting the hips or knees. The effectiveness of Tai Chi will be compared with both a non-intervention control group as well as with a formal exercise program, hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy has long been considered an effective intervention for people with chronic OA although scientific evidence is weak at present. The main study hypotheses are that Tai Chi or hydrotherapy can significantly decrease pain and physical limitations; improve health-related quality of life; and promote psychological well being in patients with OA of the hip(s) or knee(s); and that Tai Chi and hydrotherapy are of equal efficacy.

Condition	Intervention
Osteoarthritis, Hip Osteoarthritis, Knee	Behavioral: Tai Chi classes Behavioral: Hydrotherapy classes

MedlinePlus related topics: Drinking Water Exercise and Physical Fitness Osteoarthritis

U.S. FDA Resources

Study Type:	Interventional
Study Design:	Treatment, Randomized, Single Blind, Active Control, Parallel Assignment, Efficacy Study
Official Title:	Tai Chi or Hydrotherapy for People With Osteoarthritis of the Hip(s) or Knee(s)

Further study details as provided by St George Hospital, Australia:

Primary Outcome Measures:

Self-reported pain and function (WOMAC)

Secondary Outcome Measures:

General health status (SF-36)
Psychological well being (DASS)
Patient global assessment (100mm visual analogue scale [VAS])
Physical performance: 50 feet walk time, stair time

Estimated Enrollment:	150
Study Start Date:	February 2004
Estimated Study Completion Date:	October 2005

Detailed Description:

A single blinded randomized controlled clinical trial with 3 allocation groups:

Tai Chi: maximum 15 people per group, twice weekly, 12 weeks.
Hydrotherapy: maximum 15 people per group, twice weekly, 12 weeks.
Control: 12 weeks waiting time prior to allocation to active intervention.

A specially designed Tai Chi program (Tai Chi for Arthritis, Paul Lam) will be provided in a community setting by trained instructors. Hydrotherapy sessions will be held at the St. George Hospital under supervision of registered physiotherapists with rheumatology and hydrotherapy experience.

Outcomes will be measured twice: 12 and 24 weeks after randomisation.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:	59 Years to 85 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:	Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip(s) or knee(s) according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical and radiographic (hip) criteria.

Exclusion Criteria:

Currently participating in recreational physical activity more than twice a week.
Unable to walk indoors for more than 10 minutes without a walking aid.
Unable to exercise at a moderate level due to major co-morbidity.
Incontinent, afraid of water or uncontrolled epilepsy.
Low back pain referring to limbs.
Joint replacement surgery in past year.
Arthroscopic surgery or intra-articular injections in knee or hip in past 3 months.

Contacts and Locations

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00123994

Locations

Australia, New South Wales
St George Hospital
Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia, 2217

Sponsors and Collaborators

St George Hospital, Australia

Department of Health and Aging, Commonwealth Government, Australia.

St George Division of General Practice, NSW, Australia.

The University of New South Wales

Investigators

Principal Investigator:	Marlene H Fransen, PhD MPH	The George Institute, University of Sydney
Study Chair:	John Edmonds, MB, BS	St George Hospital, University of NSW

More Information

Publications indexed to this study:

Fransen M, Nairn L, Winstanley J, Lam P, Edmonds J. Physical activity for osteoarthritis management: a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Apr 15;57(3):407-14.

Study ID Numbers:	NAMCIG56, RFP 95/0203
Study First Received:	July 22, 2005
Last Updated:	November 2, 2005
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00123994
Health Authority:	Australia: Human Research Ethics Committee

Keywords provided by St George Hospital, Australia:

TaiChi
Hydrotherapy
Exercise
Joint pain
Disability

Study placed in the following topic categories:

Osteoarthritis, Knee
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Osteoarthritis
Joint Diseases
Arthritis

Pain
Rheumatic Diseases
Osteoarthritis, Hip
Arthralgia

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 16, 2009