Feasibility and Efficacy of A Remote Tai Chi Program in Older Adults

This study employed a 26-week cross-over, randomized control trial design in which each participant was assigned to one of two condition (i.e., 10 participants/cohort, 2 cohorts/condition) sequences at baseline: 1) the Tai Chi intervention condition then the usual care condition; or 2) usual care condition then intervention condition. The intervention condition requested participants participate in remote Tai Chi program for 60 minutes/session 2 times/week beyond their usual care. The usual care condition asked participants to maintain regular activities without Tai Chi and not to change their regular activity routine. Each condition lasted 12 weeks, with a 2-week washout separating treatments. The researchers monitored intervention fidelity via monthly follow-up phone calls.

Eligible participants met the following inclusion criteria: 1) aged 60 years or older; 2) basic English communication skills; 3) without cognitive impairments or physical/mental dis-abilities that might limit their ability to practice TC, 4) computer/smartphone with internet access; and 5) provided informed consent. Participants who lacked the capacity to consent or had any medical condition that could make it potentially unsafe to be in an unsupervised physical space were excluded from the study.