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Effects of Tai Chi or Conventional Exercise on Central Obesity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults : A Three-Group Randomized Controlled Trial.

Authors :
Siu PM
Yu AP
Chin EC
Yu DS
Hui SS
Woo J
Fong DY
Wei GX
Irwin MR
Source :
Annals of internal medicine [Ann Intern Med] 2021 Aug; Vol. 174 (8), pp. 1050-1057. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jun 01.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Background: Central obesity is a major manifestation of metabolic syndrome, which is a common health problem in middle-aged and older adults.<br />Objective: To examine the therapeutic efficacy of tai chi for management of central obesity.<br />Design: Randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03107741).<br />Setting: A single research site in Hong Kong between 27 February 2016 and 28 February 2019.<br />Participants: Adults aged 50 years or older with central obesity.<br />Intervention: 543 participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to a control group with no exercise intervention ( n  = 181), conventional exercise consisting of aerobic exercise and strength training (EX group) ( n  = 181), and a tai chi group (TC group) ( n  = 181). Interventions lasted 12 weeks.<br />Measurements: Outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 12, and week 38. The primary outcome was waist circumference (WC). Secondary outcomes were body weight; body mass index; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride, and fasting plasma glucose levels; blood pressure; and incidence of remission of central obesity.<br />Results: The adjusted mean difference in WC from baseline to week 12 in the control group was 0.8 cm (95% CI, -4.1 to 5.7 cm). Both intervention groups showed reductions in WC relative to control (adjusted mean differences: TC group vs. control, -1.8 cm [CI, -2.3 to -1.4 cm]; P  < 0.001; EX group vs. control: -1.3 cm [CI, -1.8 to -0.9 cm]; P  < 0.001); both intervention groups also showed reductions in body weight ( P  < 0.05) and attenuation of the decrease in HDL-C level relative to the control group. The favorable changes in WC and body weight were maintained in both the TC and EX groups, whereas the beneficial effect on HDL-C was only maintained in the TC group at week 38.<br />Limitations: High attrition and no dietary intervention.<br />Conclusion: Tai chi is an effective approach to reduce WC in adults with central obesity aged 50 years or older.<br />Primary Funding Source: Health and Medical Research Fund.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1539-3704
Volume :
174
Issue :
8
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Annals of internal medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
34058100
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.7326/M20-7014