Tai Chi for High Blood Pressure and Cognitive Function

(ACTION Trial)

Overseen By Yin Wu, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Connecticut

Must be taking: Antihypertensives

Must not be taking: Corticosteroids, Hypnotics

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular, Renal, Metabolic, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how Tai Chi, a gentle form of exercise, can help older adults with high blood pressure improve heart health and brain function. Researchers will measure changes in blood pressure and cognitive abilities after a single Tai Chi session and a 12-week online program. The study aims to determine if improvements in blood pressure correlate with better brain function. Ideal participants have high blood pressure, do not exercise regularly, and are new to Tai Chi. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the opportunity to contribute to valuable research that could enhance health outcomes for others.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you maintain your current medication routine throughout the study, except for corticosteroids and hypnotics, which are not allowed. If you take nutritional supplements other than a daily vitamin, cold medications, or herbal supplements, you will need to stop these before joining the study.

What prior data suggests that Tai Chi is safe for older adults with high blood pressure?

Research shows that Tai Chi is generally safe and well-tolerated by most people. Studies have found that practicing Tai Chi can improve health without causing major side effects. For example, one study found that Tai Chi significantly lowered blood pressure in individuals with prehypertension after 12 months. Another study showed that adults over 60 who practiced Tai Chi had better brain function compared to those who only walked for exercise.

Researchers also found that after three months of Tai Chi, individuals with high blood pressure had healthier cholesterol levels, with a decrease in "bad" cholesterol and an increase in "good" cholesterol. These findings suggest that Tai Chi is a safe exercise, especially for those with high blood pressure. However, consulting a healthcare provider before starting any new activity is always advisable, particularly if there are existing health concerns. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Tai Chi for high blood pressure and cognitive function because it offers a holistic and non-pharmacological approach to managing these conditions. Unlike standard treatments for high blood pressure, which often involve medications like ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers, Tai Chi incorporates gentle physical activity, mindfulness, and stress reduction, potentially improving cardiovascular health without medication side effects. Additionally, Tai Chi's emphasis on mental focus and relaxation could enhance cognitive function, offering a unique dual benefit not typically seen with traditional medical treatments. This method of using a mind-body exercise is particularly appealing as it promotes overall well-being and can be easily integrated into daily routines.

What evidence suggests that Tai Chi might be an effective treatment for high blood pressure and cognitive function?

Research has shown that practicing Tai Chi can greatly benefit older adults with high blood pressure. Studies have found that Tai Chi helps lower blood pressure and boosts heart health. Besides improving heart health, Tai Chi also enhances brain function, especially skills needed for planning and completing tasks. One study found that Tai Chi improved thinking abilities in older adults with mild memory problems. Another study confirmed that Tai Chi effectively reduces blood pressure and improves brain health. In this trial, participants in the Tai Chi group will engage in a 12-week online Tai Chi intervention to evaluate its effects on high blood pressure and cognitive function. These findings suggest that Tai Chi could be a helpful way to address both high blood pressure and memory issues in older adults. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Linda S Pescatello, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Connecticut

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for postmenopausal women with high blood pressure who have finished high school or equivalent, are not regular exercisers, and have no recent Tai Chi experience. They must be non-smokers, drink less than two alcoholic drinks daily, and have internet access. Those with certain chronic diseases, a history of drug use or taking specific medications may be excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

For women only, participants need to be postmenopausal evidenced by having experienced >6 consecutive months without menstruation

Participants will, at least, have graduated from high school or have obtained GED

You have high blood pressure, with readings of 130 or higher for the top number or 80 or higher for the bottom number, or you are taking medication for high blood pressure.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants who have extensive experience with Tai Chi, defined as have practiced Tai Chi for ≥2 sessions/week for ≥3 months continuously, will be excluded

Participants taking any nutritional supplements other than a 1-a-day vitamin, cold medications, and herbal supplements would be asked to discontinue these medications before entering the study or be excluded

If the participants has been diagnosed with chronic diseases that require medical clearance to exercise that include cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic disease, the PI and the study medical director will review the participants's medical history and determine if it is safe for him or her to participate in ACTION. If determined unsafe to exercise, the participant will be excluded

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

2 online visits, 1 in-person visit

Acute Exercise

Participants attend a single session of Tai Chi to measure acute changes in blood pressure and cognitive function

1 day

1 in-person visit

12-week Tai Chi Intervention

Participants engage in a 12-week online Tai Chi program to assess chronic changes in blood pressure and cognitive function

12 weeks

3 online sessions per week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in blood pressure and cognitive function after the intervention

3 weeks

2 in-person visits

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Tai Chi

Trial Overview The ACTION study tests if practicing Tai Chi can lower blood pressure and improve cognitive function in older women with hypertension. It involves measuring the effects of a single session and a 12-week online program on heart health and brain function, particularly executive skills.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Tai Chi group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

During the 12-week online Tai Chi intervention, participants in the Tai Chi group will attend live online Tai Chi sessions led by a certified Tai Chi instructor for 3 sessions/week, 45 minutes/session for 12 weeks. The participants will also practice Tai Chi offline between sessions using instructional videos that will be shared with them at the end of each live online Tai Chi session. Participants in the Tai Chi group will be instructed: 1) to maintain their regular level of physical activity outside of the live online Tai Chi exercise sessions and offline Tai Chi exercise, and diet during the study; and 2) to inform the researchers when there is a change(s) in a medical condition or medication prescribed.

Group II: control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the control group will perform only their regular habitual daily activities throughout the 12 weeks of intervention period. Participants in the control group will be instructed: 1) to maintain their regular level of physical activity and diet during the study; and 2) to inform the researchers when there is a change(s) in a medical condition or medication prescribed.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Connecticut

Lead Sponsor

Trials

194

Recruited

162,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10080376/

Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on Cognitive Function in Adults 60 ... Another study12 showed that tai chi chuan effectively improved cognitive function in older adults with MCI.

2. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2803247

Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on Cognitive Function in Adults 60 ... A meta-analysis found that mind-body exercise, including tai chi chuan, was effective in controlling blood glucose levels in patients with T2D.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002914915016173

Community-Based Mind–Body Meditative Tai Chi Program ... It was found that a Tai Chi program to improve hypertension in older adults is effective in reducing blood pressure and body mass index, maintaining normal ...

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1016629/full

Effects of the different Tai Chi exercise cycles on patients ... After 3 months of Tai Chi exercise, TC, TG, and LDL-C decreased and HDL-C increased in the hypertensive patients (40, 50). This meta-analysis indicated that ...

5. jssm.org jssm.org/jssm-24-871.xml-Fulltext

Can The Frequency and Intensity of Tai Chi Influence ... This study suggests that both Tai Chi interventions improve cognitive function and reduce stress in older adults. The TC5d group showed greater benefits in ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10858403/

Effect of Tai Chi vs Aerobic Exercise on Blood Pressure in ... Among patients with prehypertension, Tai Chi was shown to be more effective than aerobic exercise in reducing BP after 12 months. This ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S1555339623000076

Effect of Tai Chi Exercise on Healthcare and Quality of Life ... Through experiments, it has been found that Tai Chi exercise can effectively improve the physical indicators of hypertensive patients, can play an effective ...

8. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/8503047

Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of the ... Tai Chi can significantly reduce systolic and diastolic pressure than inactivity. However, Tai Chi does not show advantages in reducing blood pressure compared ...