TechSAge Tele Tai Chi Clinical Trial

This study was conducted as part of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technologies to Support Aging among People with Long-Term Disabilities (RERC TechSAge). We used videoconferencing to translate an evidence-based exercise program for older adults, Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis, from an in-person setting to a remote class and to a different population, adults aging with mobility disabilities. In the 8-week Tele Tai Chi intervention, participants used a tablet or computer to join a small-group, online class (1hr, twice weekly) from home; during each session, participants exercised as a group along with the pre-recorded video lessons and have the opportunity for social interaction (via video chat) before and after class. The study will examine the effects of the Tele Tai Chi program on physical activity and social connectedness (primary outcomes), as well as exercise self-efficacy, falls efficacy, depression, quality of life, and pain (secondary outcomes) for adults aging with long-term mobility disabilities, a population likely to experience barriers to in-person exercise participation. Study assessments were conducted at 3 timepoints, including at baseline (T1), post-intervention (T2), and 1-month follow-up (T3). <br><br>ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04696887<br><br><br>

本研究作为“长期残疾人群衰老支持技术康复工程研究中心（Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technologies to Support Aging among People with Long-Term Disabilities, RERC TechSAge）”的子课题开展。我们采用视频会议技术，将一款面向老年人的循证锻炼方案——关节炎坐式太极（Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis），从线下授课模式转化为远程课程，并将其适配至另一目标人群：伴有长期行动障碍的老年人。
在为期8周的远程太极（Tele Tai Chi）干预项目中，参与者可通过平板电脑或计算机在家参与小型线上小组课程（每周2次，每次1小时）；每节课中，参与者跟随预录制的视频课程集体锻炼，并可在课程前后通过视频聊天开展社交互动。
本研究将评估远程太极项目对伴有长期行动障碍的老年群体的身体活动水平与社交联结这两项主要结局指标（primary outcomes）的影响，同时考察该项目对锻炼自我效能（exercise self-efficacy）、跌倒效能（falls efficacy）、抑郁症状（depression）、生活质量（quality of life）及疼痛这几项次要结局指标（secondary outcomes）的作用——该群体往往面临线下锻炼参与的诸多障碍。本研究共设置3个时间节点开展评估，分别为基线期（baseline，T1）、干预后（post-intervention，T2）及1个月随访期（1-month follow-up，T3）。

ClinicalTrials.gov 注册号：NCT04696887