Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Tai Chi versus Brisk Walking in Reducing Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Protocol for a Ranomized Controlled Trial.

Author: Chan AW1, Sit JW2, Chair SY3, Leung DY4, Lee DT5, Wong EM6, Fung LC7
Affiliation:
1The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. aileenchan@cuhk.edu.hk.
2The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. janet.sit@cuhk.edu.hk.
3The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. sychair@cuhk.edu.hk.
4The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. dorisleung@cuhk.edu.hk.
5The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. tzefanlee@cuhk.edu.hk.
6The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. elizawong@cuhk.edu.hk.
7Physiotherapy Department, Kwong Wah Hospital, 25 Waterloo Road, Yaumatei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. lcwfung@ha.org.hk.
Conference/Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health.
Date published: 2016 Jul 5
Other: Volume ID: 13 , Issue ID: 7 , Word Count: 219


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.

KEYWORDS: Tai Chi; brisk walking; cardiovascular risk factors

PMID: 27399735 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13070682

BACK