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

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Tai Chi for high blood pressure?

Research suggests that Tai Chi may help lower blood pressure, with studies showing reductions in both systolic (the top number in a blood pressure reading) and diastolic (the bottom number) blood pressure. While more high-quality studies are needed, Tai Chi is considered a safe, non-drug option that could complement traditional treatments for high blood pressure. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Tai Chi safe for humans?

Research on Tai Chi, including studies on blood pressure, shows it is generally safe for humans, with no reported adverse effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does Tai Chi differ from other treatments for high blood pressure?

Tai Chi is a unique treatment for high blood pressure because it is a low-impact, low- to moderate-intensity exercise that combines gentle movements, breathing, and meditation, offering a non-drug approach to managing blood pressure. Unlike conventional medications, Tai Chi provides additional benefits such as improved balance and mental well-being, and it can be practiced by people of all ages without the risk of medication side effects. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial studies how Tai Chi, a gentle exercise, affects blood pressure and brain function in older adults with high blood pressure. Participants will do Tai Chi online for a few months. Researchers aim to see if lowering blood pressure through Tai Chi can improve thinking skills needed for daily tasks. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese internal martial art that has increased in popularity across the United States over the past 2 decades.

Research Team

Linda S Pescatello, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Connecticut

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tai chi for lowering resting blood pressure in the elderly: a systematic review. [2018]

2. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect and mechanism of tai chi on blood pressure of patients with essential hypertension: a randomized controlled study. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tai Chi for Essential Hypertension: a Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of tai chi exercise on blood pressure: a systematic review. [2023]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effectiveness and safety of Tai Chi for patients with essential hypertension: study protocol for an open-label single-center randomized controlled trial. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tai chi for essential hypertension. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Tai Chi in Patients With Hypertension: An Overview of Meta-analyses. [2023]