Tai Chi and eCB in Women (TC-eCB)

March 27, 2025 updated by: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Tai Chi and eCB in Postmenopausal Women

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is widely found in central and peripheral systems, and the immune system. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise has shown to increase circulatory endocannabinoids. In this study, we will study Tai Chi, a mind-body moderate-intensity exercise, intervention for its effects on ECS in women. A pre-post design trial will be conducted on 18 qualified subjects. We will measure plasma eCB levels at baseline, before and after 4th session of Tai Chi. All data will be analyzed statistically at p<0.05.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is widely found in central and peripheral systems, and the immune system. Emerging studies have shown endocannabinoid plays a role in appetite, pain sensation, control of chronic pain, macronutrient metabolism, mood/mood disorder, and regulation of immune cell functions. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise has shown to increase circulatory endocannabinoids. Moderate-intensity exercise improves cognition, memory, and wellbeing in adults. Exercisers experience decreased tension, depression, and anger. Therefore, these findings in humans suggest a likely relationship for exercise effecting well-being via ECS. In this study, we will study Tai Chi, a mind-body moderate-intensity exercise, intervention for its effects on ECS in women. A pre-post design trial will be conducted on 15 qualified subjects. All subjects will be assigned to Tai Chi group for one week including 3 sessions, 60 minutes per session, on 3 non-consecutive days. We will measure plasma eCB levels at baseline, before and after 4th session of Tai Chi. All data will be analyzed statistically at p<0.05.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

18

Phase

  • Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Texas
      • Lubbock, Texas, United States, 79430
        • Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

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

40 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Postmenopausal women (menopause is defined as the absence of menstrual period for 12 months, not related to pregnancy/lactation, hormonal contraception). Age 40-70 years old with BMI between 25-35 kg/m2.
  2. English literacy.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. prior experience with mind-body practice (e.g., TC, Qi Gong, yoga, meditation).
  2. Severe medical limitations (i.e., dementia, symptomatic heart or vascular disease, or recent stroke) precluding full participation.
  3. Medical/neurologic or other systemic diseases affecting the musculoskeletal systems (i.e. polio/Parkinson's/ multiple sclerosis, etc. in addition to cerebral vascular accident or stroke) and diabetes with peripheral neuropathy affecting their sensory/balance.
  4. taking pain/anti-inflammatory and sleep medications within the 3 months before study starts.
  5. taking hormone-replacement therapy within the 3 months before study starts.

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

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Tai Chi
Tai Chi exercise
Behavioral: Tai Chi
mind-body exercise

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
plasma eCB level
Time Frame: 1 week
AEA and 2-AG
1 week

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Chwan-li Shen, PhD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

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 (Actual)

August 1, 2019

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 31, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

October 31, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 28, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 28, 2019

First Posted (Actual)

January 30, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 2, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 27, 2025

Last Verified

March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Tai Chi and eCB in women

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

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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