A tai chi/qigong intervention for older adults living with HIV: a study protocol of an exploratory clinical trial

Abstract

Background Almost half of people living with HIV (PLWH) in the USA are over 50 years of age; this is expected to increase to 70% by 2020. Yet, few interventions exist for older PLWH that address psychological and physical symptoms combined, both prevalent in this population. There is a need to find innovative and accessible interventions that can help older PLWH to manage their symptoms. Mind-body interventions, like tai chi/qigong (TCQ), improve both physical and psychological health. TCQ is a series of slow, low-impact meditative movements that integrates breathwork, meditation, and stances. Methods The present study is an exploratory clinical trial that will evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a 12-week, small group TCQ intervention (n = 24), a sham qigong control condition (n = 24), and a standard of care control condition (n = 24) for older people living with HIV/AIDS. It will also explore any preliminary associations between the TCQ intervention and symptom alleviation. Participants will be recruited from community-based health and social services organizations in Miami, FL, and randomized to one of the 3 conditions. Discussion We will assess feasibility and acceptability through questionnaires and adherence to TCQ. We will assess preliminary associations with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, social support, chronic HIV-related fatigue, and clinical outcomes. These will be described through proportions, means, and changes over time through graphing techniques. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, at post-intervention, and at 3 months follow-up. These preliminary analyses also will provide information necessary to estimate effect size and power needed for a larger clinical trial. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03840525. Registered on 16 July 2018.

Effectiveness of laughter augmented Tai Chi exercises on physical and psychosocial aspects of Active Aging in community-dwelling older adults: A Systematic Review

“…It is practice for longevity [10], [56]. In Asia, TC is particularly popular strategy and its rhythmic movement contributes to happy Aging [1], [57], through recreational activities [35], [46], positive effect on physical [40],and biological aspect[58] of Active Aging [59]. There is every reason to believe that TC training, LT prevent body's from degenerative problems [18], more than other exercises [6], [20], [60].…”

“…Participants: The sum of all intervention groups and the control group ranged from 12 [76] -to 1635 [40] and a total of (intervention group = 1056, control group = 978) participants were included in the 11studies.…”

“…The majority of the participants were community dwellers, with mild activity compromise, cardiovascular problems, AID [40]), and other degenerative problems[60, 64]. Participants were assigned through simple randomization mostly [20,31,37,44,60,71,76], and few used purposive sampling methods [40,64,68], by using advertisement, visiting senior centers, and through hospital visit) participants were selected in most of the RCTs [19,31,64,71,76]. The participants' ages range from 60 to 89 years old.…”

“…Other three RCTs [37,60,68] assess the effect effects of laughter therapy on joint pain management, energy level with compared of usual care [60],self-management [68]. Three studies [20,31,76] combined laughter and Tai Chi to promote good results in physical activity with control group of usual activity [20], Tale phonic information [31], and workshop [40]. Two RCTs did not mentioned signi cant differences in laughter therapy in physical, mental, social, spiritual function from control group [64].…”

“…Two RCTs assessed the effects of Tai chi and laughter both on quality of life and well-being [ 20,31] reported intergroup differences between intervention and control groups. Two RCTs included Tai chi and Qigong exercises together to see the effects on quality of life [40,76] respectively on SF-36 QOL, WHOOQOL. One RCT of laughter therapy did not show intergroup difference and did not did show positive result on SF-36 QOL [40].Interim of life satisfaction, the effect size of Tai chi and laughter together signi cantly improve life satisfaction from + 0.03 to + 0.05].…”