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Tai Chi is good therapy for osteoarthritis knee pain
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The average age of the study group was 65. Twenty otherwise healthy participants with confirmed osteoarthritis of the knee attended two 60-minute class sessions of Yang Tai Chi per week for 12 weeks, that included self massage, review of Tai Chi principles, thirty minutes of Tai Chi exercise, and a relaxation period. A second group of twenty adults (control group) attended sixty minute classes educating about osteoarthritis, including diet, disease process and, physical and mental health education. The control group also attended twice weekly sessions for twelve weeks that also include twenty minutes of stretching.
At the end of twelve weeks, older adults who practiced Tai Chi reported improvements in osteoarthritis knee pain, using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scale. The researchers found a 118.80 reduction in pain from baseline in the Tai Chi group.
Added to the benefits of Tai Chi were improvements in health status of the knee, depression, and improved physical function. Dr. Wang said, "Tai Chi is a mind-body approach that appears to be an applicable treatment for older adults” diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis of the knee affects 4.3 million U.S. adults over age 60, and is responsible for limited mobility, pain, and increased risk of falls.
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