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Tai Chi for High Blood Pressure and Cognitive Function (ACTION Trial)

N/A
Waitlist Available
Led By Linda S Pescatello, PhD
Research Sponsored by University of Connecticut
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Participants will be free of Tai Chi practice in the past 12 months
Participants will have intact cognitive function evidenced by scoring 25 or higher on the Mini Mental State Examination
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up acute change in the flanker will be calculated as (post - pre-tai chi session flanker in acute exercise visit a or b) minus (post - pre-sham control session flanker in control and mri visit a or b).
Awards & highlights

ACTION Trial Summary

This trial will test if Tai Chi is good for the heart and brain of older adults with high blood pressure by measuring blood pressure and cognitive function before and after Tai Chi.

Who is the study for?
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.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
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.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Tai Chi is generally considered safe with minimal risk of side effects. However, participants might experience muscle soreness or strain from new physical activity. Since it's gentle exercise, serious side effects are unlikely.

ACTION Trial Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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You have not practiced Tai Chi in the last 12 months.
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You need to score 25 or higher on a test that checks your memory and thinking skills.
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You haven't been regularly exercising or have a physically demanding job.
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You can only drink a small amount of alcohol each day, because too much could affect how your blood pressure responds to exercise.
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You have not smoked for at least 6 months before joining the study because smoking can affect how your body responds to exercise.

ACTION Trial Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~chronic change in the scwt will be calculated as scwt measured at visit 7 in week 15 (pre-tai chi session in the acute exercise visit b) minus the scwt measured at visit 4 or 5 in week 2 (pre-tai chi session in the acute exercise visit a).
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and chronic change in the scwt will be calculated as scwt measured at visit 7 in week 15 (pre-tai chi session in the acute exercise visit b) minus the scwt measured at visit 4 or 5 in week 2 (pre-tai chi session in the acute exercise visit a). for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Chronic Change in Ambulatory Blood Pressure (BP)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Chronic Change in Resting Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure (BP)
+6 more
Secondary outcome measures
Body Weight Changes
Bronchial Provocation Tests
Acute Change in the Computerized California Assessment Package-Abbreviated Version (CalCAP)
+2 more

ACTION Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Tai Chi groupExperimental Treatment1 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: controlActive Control1 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.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Tai Chi
2014
Completed Phase 2
~1640

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of ConnecticutLead Sponsor
180 Previous Clinical Trials
158,073 Total Patients Enrolled
Linda S Pescatello, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity of Connecticut
4 Previous Clinical Trials
140 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Tai Chi Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04384263 — N/A
High Blood Pressure Research Study Groups: control, Tai Chi group
High Blood Pressure Clinical Trial 2023: Tai Chi Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04384263 — N/A
Tai Chi 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04384263 — N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Are there any openings for patients to take part in this research?

"Clinicaltrials.gov indicates that this trial, initially posted on June 1st 2021 and last edited September 5th 2022 is not currently recruiting patients. Nevertheless, there are 1310 other trials now enrolling candidates."

Answered by AI

What objectives is this clinical experiment aiming to fulfill?

"This clinical trial is designed to assess the Chronic Change in MRI, which will be calculated as a comparison between an initial scan and one taken at week 15. Secondary outcomes include Acute Change in Inhibitory Control (measured with FLANKER), Resting Blood Pressure (BP), and Ambulatory Blood Pressure (BP)."

Answered by AI
~5 spots leftby Mar 2025