Online tai chi improved knee OA compared to information-only intervention
A free-to-access web-based intervention offered an effective, safe, accessible, and scalable option for implementing guideline-recommended osteoarthritis (OA) exercise, a study found.
An unsupervised multimodal online tai chi intervention via an app improved knee pain and function in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) at 12 weeks compared with the information-only control group.
The clinical trial randomized 178 adults with clinically diagnosed knee OA residing in Australian communities from August 2023 to November 2024 to either undertake a 12-week unsupervised online tai chi program with a mobile app to encourage adherence and online educational information or a purpose-built website containing information about OA and the benefits of exercise. The intervention was unusual in using a fully unsupervised online delivery mode, the study authors noted. Results appeared Oct. 27 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Overall, 170 patients reported primary outcomes at 12 weeks. The tai chi group reported greater improvements in knee pain (control, −1.3; tai chi, −2.7; mean difference, −1.4 [95% CI, −2.1 to −0.7] units; P<0.001) and function (control, −6.9; tai chi, −12.0; mean difference, −5.6 [95% CI, −9.0 to −2.3] units; P<0.001). More participants in the tai chi than in the control group achieved a minimal clinically important difference in pain (73% vs 47%; risk difference, 0.3 [95% CI, 0.1 to 0.4]; P<0.001) and function (72% vs 52%; risk difference, 0.2 [95% CI, 0.1 to 0.3]; P=0.007).
Between-group differences for most secondary outcomes favored tai chi, including another knee pain measure, sport and recreation function, quality of life, physical and mental well-being, global improvement, pain self-efficacy, and balance confidence, the study authors noted. No associated serious adverse events were reported.
“This free and scalable tai chi intervention could improve patient access to recommended OA exercise and provide clinicians with a resource to support their delivery of evidence-based care,” the authors wrote.