Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ›› 2017, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (06): 774-781.

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Effect of Taijiquan practice versus wellness education on knee proprioception in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Zhu Qingguang, Huang Lingyan, Li Jingxian, Zhang Yunya, Min Fang, Yu Liu   

  1. Department of Physical Therapy with Chinese Massage, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine;Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport;School of Human Kinetics,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa;Key Laboratory of Exercise and HealthSciences, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport;
  • Accepted:2017-12-15 Online:2017-12-15 Published:2022-04-04
  • Supported by:
    Supported by the Shanghai City Committee of Science and Technology Key Project,Evaluation of Nerve and Muscle Function after Taijiquan Practice for Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis(No.12490503200), Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission,Effect of exercise on the sub-health of physical inactivity adults(No.13ZS020), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Evaluation of Taijiquan and Tuina Therapy on Knee Osteoarthritis(No.2014YSN48)

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Taijiquan practice on knee proprioception in patients with knee osteoarthritis(OA).METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing Taijiquan with a control condition(wellness education) in patients with knee OA. The patients participated in either a 60-min Taijiquan session three times weekly or a 60-min weekly educational session, for 24 consecutive weeks. The primary outcomes were changes in knee proprioception. Secondary outcomes were changes in the Western Ontario and Mc Master University Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC).RESULTS: After 24 weeks, compared with the control group, the Taijiquan group demonstrated better improvements in the joint position sense in knee flexion(left:-2.12°; right:-2.02°), and knee extension(left:-2.22°; right:-1.54°). In addition,the Taijiquan group showed significantly greater improvements in the WOMAC scores(P < 0.05) for knee pain(left:-3.17 points; right:-3.74 points),stiffness(left:-2.43 points; right:-2.13 points),and physical function(left:-10.99 points; right:-8.00 points), compared with the control group.CONCLUSION: A 24-week Taijiquan practice resulted in a significant improvement in knee proprioception in patients with knee OA. The present findings add increasing evidence regarding the clinical benefits of Taijiquan as a therapeutic modality for patients to improve the reflex protection of knee joints against potentially harmful forces.

Key words: Tai ji, Osteoarthritis,knee, Rheumatic diseases, Pain, Proprioception, Randomized controlled trial

Cite this article

Zhu Qingguang, Huang Lingyan, Li Jingxian, Zhang Yunya, Min Fang, Yu Liu. Effect of Taijiquan practice versus wellness education on knee proprioception in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2017, 37(06): 774-781.