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A simplified 10-step Tai-Chi programme to enable people with dementia to improve their motor performance: a feasibility study [with consumer summary]
Liu JYW, Kwan RYC, Lai CKY, Hill KD
Clinical Rehabilitation 2018 Dec;32(12):1609-1623
clinical trial
6/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: Yes; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a simplified 10-step Tai-Chi programme to improve the motor performance of people with dementia. DESIGN: A two-arm, single-blinded cluster randomized controlled trial, registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03341091). SETTING: Community health centres. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six dyads of people with dementia and their family caregivers were recruited, with mean (SD) ages of 82.2 (7.43) and 51.3 (18.97), respectively. INTERVENTIONS: The experimental group underwent a 16 week 10-step simplified Tai-Chi training programme, with additional measures to enhance engagement. The control group joined recreational activities organized by the centres. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The feasibility assessment included recruitment, attrition, adherence to, and engagement in the Tai-Chi programme. The preliminary effects were assessed by the participants' performance in mobility tests. RESULTS: Preliminary feasibility was established, with an acceptable recruitment rate of 58% (26 out of 45 assessed dyads) and a high attendance rate of 81% (25.88 out of 32 Tai-Chi sessions). There was positive engagement in the training sessions, and no adverse incidents. However, five participants withdrew from the Tai-Chi group, for a high attrition rate of 38%, and the mean home practice time decreased between weeks 8 and 16. In most of the motor performance tests, a slight but insignificant improvement was observed in the Tai-Chi group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: A tailored Tai-Chi programme for people with dementia using a dyadic approach has been found to be feasible. However, stronger support must be provided to family caregivers to improve the participants' sustained participation.

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