Effects of Tai Chi Exercise on Innate and Adaptive Immune Function

September 26, 2007 updated by: National Taiwan University Hospital
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.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

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 Type

Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

30

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

  • Name: Li-Ying Wang, Ph.D.
  • Phone Number: 6683 886-223123456
  • Email: liying@ntu.edu.tw

Study Locations

  • Taiwan
      • Taipei, Taiwan, 100
        • Not yet recruiting
        • National Taiwan University Hospital
        • Contact:
      • Taipei, Taiwan, 100
        • Recruiting
        • School & Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, NTU
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

30 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

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.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Defined Population
  • Time Perspectives: Other

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this 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

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

July 1, 2005

Primary Completion

December 7, 2022

Study Completion

June 1, 2006

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 12, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 12, 2005

First Posted (Estimate)

September 15, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

September 27, 2007

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 26, 2007

Last Verified

December 1, 2004

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 9361701225

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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