• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Tai Chi exercise program (Sun style 31 forms) on fatigue, anxiety, and sleep patterns in nursing students. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Nursing students who participated in this study were assigned to an experimental group (n=24), and a control group (n=26). The experimental group participated in Tai Chi exercise program for 60 minutes per session, and 3 times a week for 7 weeks. The Tai Chi exercise program consisted of 10 minutes for warm-up, 45 minutes for main session, and 5 minutes for cooling down exercises. The data were collected prior and after the intervention using self-administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, $x^2$-test, Fisher's exact probability, t -test, and the general linear model. Results: After the application of the program, the experimental group showed a significant difference in fatigue (F=20.62, p<.001), anxiety (F=16.96, p<.001), and sleep pattern (F=15.70, p<.001) scores. Conclusion: These findings show that the Tai Chi exercise program can be an effective nursing intervention to improve sleep pattern and to reduce fatigue and anxiety in nursing students.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.151-161
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of Tai Chi exercise on loneliness, sleep pattern, and instrumental activities of daily living in elderly women. Methods: A quasi-experimental design, a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest was used. Elderly women who agreed to participated in the study were assigned into an experimental group (n=20) or a control group (n=20). The experimental group participated in Tai Chi exercise program (Sun-style 12 forms) for 50 minutes per session, 2 times a week for 8 weeks. Tai Chi exercise program consisted of 10 minutes for warm-up, 35 minutes for main session, and 5 minutes for cooling down. Study outcomes were measured through study questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, t-test and Mann-Whitney test by SPSS WIN 14.0 program. Results: Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvement in loneliness (t=-2.733, p=.009), sleep pattern (t=2.552, p=.015), and instrumental activities of daily living (z=-2.171, p=.030). Conclusion: Tai Chi exercise program may be an effective nursing intervention for elderly women.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.620-628
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose was to identify the effects of a Tai Chi exercise program on physical fitness, fall related perception and health status among institutionalized elderly. Methods: A quasi-experimental research was carried out with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. There were 23 subjects in the experimental group and 24 in the control group. The data was gathered by structured questionnaires about fall related perception, and health status. Physical fitness was measured by an exercise therapist with a blind principle. Results: At the completion of the 12 weeks Tai Chi exercise program, flexibility (F=4.50, p=.00), and ability to balance (F=3.27, p=.00) had increased significantly. Fall related perception showed significant improvement in the fear of falling (F=-3.52, p=.00). Physical functioning (F=3.38, p=.00), role limitation-physical (F=2.67, p=.01), role limitation-emotional (F=2.47, p=.02). and general health (F=3.88, p=.00) in health status showed significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The study findings revealed Tai Chi exercise as a useful nursing intervention for elderly that enhances flexibility and balance, decreases fall related perception and also increases the health status. Further research is warranted to compare the potential effects of Tai Chi exercise and its health benefits from other types of exercise or martial arts.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Tai Chi exercise on pain, balance, gait and physical function of patients with low back pain. Method: This study was designed one group pretest-posttest design. Tai Chi exercise was conducted by researcher and carried out for sixty minutes per one time and two times a week for six weeks. The subjects of this study consisted of 23 low back patients. Using the SPSS win 10.0 program was used for data analysis, which included frequency, percentage and paired t-test. Result: Tai Chi exercise decreased pain, improved balance and gait, increased physical function(back muscle strength, leg muscle strength and flexibility). Conclusion: The results suggested Tai Chi exercise can be effective nursing intervention to improve pain, balance, gait and physical function of patients with low back pain.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.829-837
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 6-week Tai Chi exercise program on reducing blood pressure for hypertensive patients. Method: A non-equivalent pretest-posttest experimental design was used. Participants were recruited from the Community Health Center in Busan, Korea. Twenty-eight hypertensive patients participated in this study. Among them, fourteen were in the experimental group and the rest are in the control group. Members in the experimental group participated in a 6- week program of Tai Chi exercise. In order to evaluate the effects of the Tai Chi program, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and cortisol level were measured before and after week 6. Result: After the 6-week Tai Chi program, there were significant differences in systolic pressure (t=-3.13, p=.004) and diastolic blood pressure (t=-4.75, p=.000) in the experimental group when compared to the control group. However there were no significant differences in the total cholesterol (t=1.07, p=.294) and cortisol level (F=1.35, p=.256). Conclusion: These results suggest that a 6-week Tai Chi program can be utilized as an effective nursing program to reduce blood pressure for hypertensive patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.543-548
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• 2009

Treatment for breast cancer produces side effects that diminish functional capacity and quality of life (QOL) among survivors. Tai Chi is a moderate form of exercise that may improve functional capacity, physical activity and oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of regular Tai Chi exercise on malondialdehyde (MDA), SOD and physical fitness (muscle strength, flexibility, flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction). Forty obese women were recruited from a public health center and divided into control (CON: n=20) and trained (EXP: n=20) groups. The Tai Chi exercise group participated in a 12-week (4 times/week) training program. Data were analyzed with T-test. MDA, SOD and physical fitness (muscle strength, flexibility, flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction) were evaluated before and after the Tai Chi program in both groups. There were significant improvements in shoulder flexibility, flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. However, there was no improvement in muscle strength. There were also significant improvements in MDA and SOD. Based on these results, Tai Chi exercise has been shown to stimulate endogenous antioxidant enzymes and reduce oxidative damage markers. and also be effective in improving physical fitness and QOL. Further study is needed in this area.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of Tai Chi exercise program on pain, fatigue, depression, self-efficacy, and quality of life in elderly women. Method: A quasi-experimental design, a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest was the method of this study. Elderly women who agreed to participate in the study were conveniently placed into an experimental group (n=33) or an control group (n=34). The experimental group participated in Tai Chi exercise program, which was held for 60 minutes per session and 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Tai Chi exercise program consisted of a 10 minute warm-up, a 45 minute main session, and a 5 minute cooling down. In order to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi exercise program, pain, fatigue, depression, self-efficacy, and quality of life were measured with a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, t- test, and ANCOVA by SPSS WIN 13.0 program. Results: Compared with the control group, the experimental group reported higher level of quality of life (F=7.67, p=.007) and self-efficacy (F=20.9, p=.000) and lower level of pain (F=10.93, p= .002), fatigue (F=6.28, p=.015), and depression (F=10.02, p=.002). Conclusions: This study suggests that Tai Chi exercise program may be one of the effective nursing interventions for elderly women.

• 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.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.188-202
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• 2003

The aim of study was to investigate the effects of 12 forms of Sun-style Tai-Chi for arthritis(TCA) on physical symptom(pain, tenderness, swelling fatigue, and blood pressure), physical function(balance, flexibility, grip strength) and social-psychological health status in osteoarthritis(OA) patients and rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients. This study was done with one group pretest-posttest design. A total 21 arthritis patients(6 OA patient and 15 RA patient) participated in 60 minute session consisting of warm-up exercise 12-main movement including qigong, and cool-down exercise twice a week for 6weeks. Physiological and social-psychological variables were measured before and after TCA 12 form. The researcher who completed a Tai Chi workshop for exercise leaders in Australia and Seoul taught the Tai Chi movement step by step until the patient felt comfort enough to perform them correctly by themselves during the first 4 weeks. At the last 2 weeks, the subject perform 10-15set of these at a session with traditional music to help patients move in a slow tempo. TCA 12 forms program showed significant improvement in fatigue(p=0.039) of rheumatoid arthritis patient and pain(p=0.006), fatigue(p=0.013), tenderness(p=0.032), flexibility(rt arm up, p=0.014, If arm up, P=0.003), grip strength(rt hand, p=0.002, If hand, P=0.003) of osteoarthritis patients. With assessment by Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 questionnaire(AIMS2), physical component(0.002) and social interaction(0.025) on osteoarthritis patients were significantly improved. Evaluation of the participants about TCA exercise noted that the exercise was fairly easy(23.6%), moderately difficult(57.1%), and fairly difficult(14.3%). Considering the result of this study, TCA exercise program was more effective in pain, tenderness, grip strength, flexibility, and physical and social interaction on osteoarthritis patients than rheumatoid arthritis patients. Tai-Chi for arthritis 12 form was an appropriate intensity exercise for osteoarthritis patients.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.28-39
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• 2002

Objective. The 12 forms of Sun-style Tai Chi exercise has been developed specifically for arthritis patients in order to reduce their symptoms and to improve physical functioning. This quasi-experimental study examined the changes in pain, balance, muscle strength and physical functioning in women with osteoarthritis at the completion of the 12 week Tai Chi exercise program. Methods. The patients with osteoarthritis who signed the consent form were screened by their primary physician according to the inclusion criteria and invited to the study. Total of 66 osteoarthritis women with an average age of 63 years were participated in the Tai Chi exercise. At the completion of 12 weeks, 34 patients completed both pretest and posttest measures with 48% of overall dropout rate. Outcome measures were physical symptoms, balance, muscle strength, physical functioning, and depression. Paired t-test was utilized to examine differences between pre and post-measures. Results. After participating in the Tai Chi exercise program, the women with osteoarthritis showed significant improvements in their physical fitness measures, and consequently in their physical functioning. In physical fitness test, there were significant improvements in balance, flexibility, muscle strengths of knee, grip, and back muscles after the Tai Chi exercise. However, No significant differences were found in pain and stiffness of their knee joints and depression measure. Conclusion. The 12 forms of Tai Chi exercise has been found safely applicable to the older women with osteoarthritis for 12 weeks, and effective in improving balance, flexibility, and muscle strengths, and consequently lessening difficulties of performing their activities of daily life.