Physical activity for osteoarthritis management: A randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes

M Fransen; L Nairn; Julie Winstanley; P Lam; J Edmonds

doi:10.1002/art.22621

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Physical activity for osteoarthritis management: A randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Physical activity for osteoarthritis management: A randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes

M Fransen, L Nairn, Julie Winstanley, P Lam and J Edmonds

Arthritis Care and Research, Vol.57(3), pp.407-414

2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/art.22621

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Abstract

osteoarthritis

hydrotherapy

Tai Chi

exercise

Objective - To determine whether Tai Chi or hydrotherapy classes for individuals with chronic symptomatic hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) result in measurable clinical benefits. Methods - A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 152 older persons with chronic symptomatic hip or knee OA. Participants were randomly allocated for 12 weeks to hydrotherapy classes (n = 55), Tai Chi classes (n = 56), or a waiting list control group (n = 41). Outcomes were assessed 12 and 24 weeks after randomization and included pain and physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), general health status (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 Health Survey [SF-12], version 2), psychological well-being, and physical performance (Up and Go test, 50-foot walk time, timed stair climb). Results - At 12 weeks, compared with controls, participants allocated to hydrotherapy classes demonstrated mean improvements (95% confidence interval) of 6.5 (0.4, 12.7) and 10.5 (3.6, 14.5) for pain and physical function scores (range 0-100), respectively, whereas participants allocated to Tai Chi classes demonstrated improvements of 5.2 (-0.8, 11.1) and 9.7 (2.8, 16.7), respectively. Both class allocations achieved significant improvements in the SF-12 physical component summary score, but only allocation to hydrotherapy achieved significant improvements in the physical performance measures. All significant improvements were sustained at 24 weeks. In this almost exclusively white sample, class attendance was higher for hydrotherapy, with 81% attending at least half of the available 24 classes, compared with 61% for Tai Chi. Conclusion - Access to either hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes can provide large and sustained improvements in physical function for many older, sedentary individuals with chronic hip or knee OA.

Details

Title: Physical activity for osteoarthritis management: A randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes
Authors: M Fransen (Author) - University of Sydney
L Nairn (Author) - University of Sydney
Julie Winstanley (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
P Lam (Author) - University of New South Wales
J Edmonds (Author) - The St. George Hospital
Publication details: Arthritis Care and Research, Vol.57(3), pp.407-414
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Date published: 2007
DOI: 10.1002/art.22621
ISSN: 0893-7524
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449575702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Rheumatology

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