• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2009

Purpose: This randomized study was done to compare the effects of a 6 month Tai Chi exercise and a self-help program on balance, flexibility and muscle strength in women with osteoarthritis (OA). Method: In this experimental study, 82 women with OA recruited from outpatient clinics or community health centers were randomly assigned either to a Tai Chi group or a self-help group. Thirty women (mean age = 62 years) in the Tai Chi group and 39 (mean age = 59 years) in the self-help group completed posttest measures (balance, flexibility, oxygen consumption, abdominal muscle strength, back muscle strength, and grip strength) at 6 months. Results: After the 6 month, Tai Chi participants had significantly greater balance (mean difference = 2.9 vs. 0.9 for the self-help), grip strength (mean difference = 4.6 vs. 0.9 for the self-help), and back muscle strength (mean difference = 4.1 vs. -0.3 for the self-help). However, flexibility, oxygen consumption, and abdominal muscle strength were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion: Tai Chi increased balance, grip strength and back muscle strength in older women with osteoarthritis compared to the self-help program. Whether these changes improve physical functioning and fall prevention requires further study.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.21-29
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• 2009

The 'Half outside and half inside(半表半裏)' is the part which is located between outside and inside, and it is regarded as the nickname of ShaoYang(少陽) in Sanhanlun(傷寒論). About the meaning of 'Half outside and half inside', many medical scientists agreed that the 'outside' is 'TaiYang(太陽)', but they didn't agreed the meaning of 'inside'. One group insisted the 'inside' is 'YangMing (陽明)', the other group instisted that 'TaiYin(太陰)'. To know which opinion is correct, I analyed the Kwigyung(歸經) of herbs in Soshihotang(小柴胡湯) which has a close relationship with ShaoYang, and it is proved that the Kwigyung of herbs is the Foot ShaoYang-GALL BLADDER Meridian(足少陽膽經), Hand TaiYin-LUNG Meridian(手太陰肺經), and Foot TaiYin-SPLEEN Meridian(足太陰脾經). So I concluded that the 'inside' is not 'YangMing' but 'TaiYin'.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of a 4 weeks Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment on blood pressure reducing in hypertensive patients. Methods : We measured the blood pressure of 3 patients who were visited in the Gwacheon Health center from 21th November 2007 to 17th December 2007. Eligible participants had systolic blood pressure ${\geq}$ 120 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ${\geq}$ 80 mmHg with antihypertensive drug. Blood pressure measurements were after the patient had been in rest for at least 10 minute. Twelve sessions of Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment over 4 weeks were performed in the patients. Blood pressure were measured twice before and after each session. Results : After 4 weeks, blood pressure reduction was observed in the treatment patients, with an average decline of systolic blood pressure up to 5.67 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure up to 0.17 mmHg. But, it was not statistically significant. Blood pressure increased between measurements taken before and after an Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment session, although individual responses were quite variable. No significant difference was found in the immediate effect. Conclusion : Twelve sessions of Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment do not seem to control hypertension. Further research is required to determine whether Meridian Tai Ji exercise treatment can enhance clinical management of hypertension if it is used in combination with more enrolled participants, over longer periods, or randomized controlled trial.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.132-142
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of Tai Chi exercise on Cardiorespiratory function and to identify directions for future research. Method: 19 articles from Medline search of english journals(1981-2004) and 2 from Korean nursing journals were surveyed. The contents analysis were focused on outcome measures and relative factors regarding cardiopulmonary function. Results: There are 21 articles including 8 articles with quasi experimental design, 7 articles with randomized controlled design and 6 articles with comparative non experimental research design. The major subjects of research were older adults, but hypertensive patients, cardiac rehabilitative patient, and osteoarthritic patient also included. The major style of Tai Chi was Yang style with 108-form. The duration of Tai Chi exercise was from 12weeks to 13.2 years in comparative non experimental studies, but 6 weeks to 16weeks in randomized controlled experimental studies. The most effective duration for cardiopulmonary function was over 16weeks. The variables for cardiopulmonary function were blood pressure, heart rate and cardiopulmonary function via $VO_2$ max(ml/kg/min). To reduce the blood pressure in the result was found in 2 articles, to reduce the heart beat was found in 1 article, to improve the cardiopulmonary function via $VO_2$ max in results were found in 7 articles(73%) among 11 articles. Conclusion: The Tai Chi exercise over 16weeks improves the cardiopulmonary function. It is suggested that to verify the effect of Tai Chi on cardiopulmonary function, the difference of gender, age, health status will be identified through repeated experiments.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to observe the changes of the pain, fatigue, perceived health status, disability in ADL, and depression after Tai Chi for arthritis. Method: The subjects were 19 osteoarthritis women enrolled at one primary health care post. They have agreed to participate in this study, and participated in the 12-week Tai Chi program from Dec. 2006 to Mar. 2007, and all the measurement processes in right after, 2 months later, and 4 months later after Tai Chi program. The measurement tools of this study were all self-reported questionnaires such as Numerical Rating Scale (0-100) for pain, fatigue, and perceived health status, Korean-WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis) Index for joint stiffness, Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire, and CES-Depression scale. Results: The repeated measure ANOVA revealed the significant differences on pain among the right after, 2 months later, and 4 months later the program. Especially 2 months later after program, pain was significantly increased than right after by t-test. There were no significant differences on fatigue, perceived health status, disability in ADL, and depression. Conclusion: Pain was increased after Tai Chi for arthritis program, but fatigue, perceived health status, disability in ADL, and depression were not changed until 4 months after Tai Chi program.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine effect of Tai-Chi exercise program on joint flexibility for osteoarthritis patients. To evaluate the effects, quasi-experimental study was used for pre and post test with a nonequivalent control group. Method: Fifty-tow subjects participated in the experiment(twenty-seven for experimental group and twenty-five for control group) and they were from two different senior citizen centers in J city. The experiment period was from April 2002 through August 2002. The experiment group took part in Tai-Chi exercise program for eighteen weeks(three times a week for four weeks and five times a week for fourteen week). The exercise was performed for 50 minutes at every time (15 minutes for warm-up, 30 minutes for Tai-Chi exercise, and 5 minutes for ending). In order to pursue study purpose, the SPSS/WIN 8.0 program was chosen for the statistical analysis; ANCOVA was employed in examining test hypothesis; t-test and $x^2$-test were used to examine homogeneity between experimental and control group. Result: The study results were as follows :Score of vertebral joint flexibility increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of wrist joint extension increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of wrist joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of elbow joint extension increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of elbow joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. There was a slight increase of knee joint extension in the Tai-Chi exercise group compared to control group, but without statistical significance. Score of knee joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of ankle plantar flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of ankle dorsiflexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Conclusion: As shown in the results, Tai-Chi exercise program can be effective nursing intervention for osteoarthritis patient to improve joint flexibility.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.17-27
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• 2011

Purpose: The study examined the effect of exercise public health center exercise program on strength, balance, body composition and blood pressure in healthy elderly women. Method: Thirty healthy elderly women were divided into three 12-week exercise groups: Tai-Chi (n=10), silver dance (n=10), and band exercise (n=10). The results were analyzed by two-way repeated ANOVA and paired t-test using SPSS 12.0 program. Results: Body weight and body mass index were significantly decreased in the Tai-Chi and silver dance groups. In addition, there was a significant increase in balance time and reduced diastolic blood pressure in Tai-Chi participant. Grip strength was significantly increased in Tai-Chi and silver dance participants, but there was no effect in the band exercise group. Agility was significantly increased in the band exercise group. Conclusion: Tai-Chi and silver dance may be beneficial to improve fitness of elderly people, although the details remain to be elucidated.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.105-112
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Tai Chi exercise on muscle strength, balance, flexibility and bone mineral density among community dwelling elderly women. Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a nonequivalent comparison group was utilized, Elderly women were recruited from the community settings and assigned to either the treatment group (n=30) or the comparison group (n=34). Both groups completed the pretest and the posttest measures at six months with an 29.7% of dropouts. Tai Chi exercise was performed for 60 minutes, three times a week for 24 weeks. The study participants were referred to the sports clinic of the university hospital where an exercise therapist and a technician measured muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and bone mineral density without the knowledge of the group assignment. Data were collected from June 14, 2010 to May 27, 2011. Results: At the completion of 6 month Tai Chi exercise, the experimental group showed a significant difference in knee flexor strength (t=3.26 p=.002), flexibility (t=-2.93, p=.005), and bone mineral density in femur (t=2.20, p=.032), compared to the control group. Conclusion: Tai Chi exercise could be performed safely to community dwelling elderly women and effective for preventing declining in physical function in this population. Whether or not this health benefits would lead fall prevention will require further study.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.5-23
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• 2008

Purpose: This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the physical, psychosocial and physiological effects of Tai Chi exercise in elderly. Method: 37 articles from Medline search of foreign journals (1966-2006) were surveyed by the key words 'Tai Chi', 'Tai-chi program' and 'Tai-chi and elderly' limiting the range to age 65 or older, choosing clinical trial and randomized controlled trial research in English articles. Four articles were excluded due to methodological study, pilot study and review. The research was analyzed according to health status of the subjects, styles and forms of Tai Chi exercises, factors for physical, psychosocial and physiological measures. Result: A short forming Yang style was commonly used in chronic diseases and health for elderly. Variable outcome measures were used in Tai Chi studies relating to balance, muscle strength, walking and mobility, flexibility and cardiorespiratory function in physical measure, quality of life, depression, self-efficacy, health status, cognition and impact questionnaire in psychosocial measure, lipids, insulin resistance and hormone in physiological measure. Conclusion: Tai Chi exercise appears to have physical and psychosocial benefits and also appears to be safe for elderly and chronic diseases. It is suggested that future studies analyze statistical part of systematic reviews through meta analysis.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.515-526
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• 2013

Purpose: The study aims to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi applied cardiac rehabilitation program(TCCRP) on cardiovascular risks, recurrence risk in ten years, and cardiac specific quality of life in individuals with coronary artery disease. Methods: The sample was comprised of individuals diagnosed with coronary artery disease within six months of the study who were referred by their primary physicians to participate in the TCCRP. The design was a pretest/posttest with non-equivalent groups with 30 in TCCRP program and 33 wait-listed comparison group. Results: The average age of all participants was sixty seven years. At the completion of the TCCRP, the Tai Chi group showed significant reduction in their ten year recurrent risk for coronary artery disease measured by Framingham's algorithm. The quality of life for the experimental group was reported as significantly higher than the comparison group, especially the area of general symptom. Conclusion: The outpatient cardiac rehabilitation with Tai Chi was applied effectively and safely without any complication to individuals with coronary artery disease. Tai Chi can be useful as an alternative exercise for cardiac rehabilitation program which may provide more access to individuals for cardiovascular risk management in the community settings.