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Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Innate and Adaptive Immune Function

This study is currently recruiting participants.
Study NCT00172679.   Last updated on September 26, 2007.   Information provided by National Taiwan University Hospital

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Descriptive Information Fields
Brief Title  Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Innate and Adaptive Immune Function
Official Title 
Brief Summary

Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial art that has been practiced for many centuries. Improvements in cardiorespiratory function, balance, muscular strength, flexibility in older subjects; preventing falls in the frail elderly; stress reduction, and mood state with Tai Chi practices have been well established. A potential immune response effect of Tai Chi practice is a frequent claim; however, this is an under-researched area. Therefore, in this study, the researchers will examine the effects of Tai Chi on innate and adaptive immune function.

Detailed Description

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art that has been practiced for many centuries, has only recently gained the interest of researchers in Western countries as an alternative form of exercise. Tai Chi combines deep diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation with many fundamental postures that flow imperceptibly and smoothly from one to the other through slow, gentle, and graceful movements. Based on the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) measured during the practice, Tai Chi is characterized as a low- to moderate-intensity form of exercise. Tai Chi has been applied as a rehabilitation program in patients with heart failure, hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Improvements in cardiorespiratory function, balance, muscular strength, flexibility in older subjects; preventing falls in the frail elderly; stress reduction, and mood state with Tai Chi practices have been well established. A potential immune response effect of Tai Chi practice is a frequent claim; however, this is an under-researched area. A nonrandomized controlled study of 60 elderly subjects found that the total number of circulating T cells were significantly higher in the Tai Chi group (who regularly practiced Tai Chi for 4 or more years) than in the untrained group. Irwin et al. demonstrated that older adults with no previous Tai Chi experience after practicing for 15 wks (1-3 times/wk), a nearly 50% increase in varicella zoster virus specific, cell-mediated immunity was found. Thus in this proposed study, we will examine the effects of regular Tai Chi practitioners on innate and adaptive immune function.

Study Phase
Study Type  Observational
Study Design  Natural History, Cross-Sectional, Defined Population, Retrospective/Prospective Study
Primary Outcome Measure 
Secondary Outcome Measure 
Condition  Healthy
Intervention 
MEDLINE PMIDs
Links
Recruitment Information Fields
Recruitment Status  Recruiting
Enrollment  30
Start Date  July 2005
Completion Date June 2006
Eligibility Criteria 

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Has been practicing Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) for at least 3 days a week for at least 12 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any chronic systemic diseases (e.g., coronary artery disease [CAD])
  • Has cognitive impairments.
Gender Both
Ages 30 Years to 70 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers Yes
Contacts ††
Contact: Li-Ying Wang, Ph.D.     886-223123456 ext 6683     liying@ntu.edu.tw    
Location Countries  Taiwan
Administrative Information Fields
NCT ID  NCT00172679
Organization ID 9361701225
Secondary IDs ††
Study Sponsor  National Taiwan University Hospital
Collaborators †† National Science Council, Taiwan
Investigators 
Principal Investigator:     Li-Ying Wang, Ph.D.     National Taiwan University, College of Medicine    
Information Provided By National Taiwan University Hospital
Verification Date December 2004
First Received Date  September 12, 2005
Last Updated Date September 26, 2007

 †    Required WHO trial registration data element.
††   WHO trial registration data element that is required only if it exists.




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