Remote Tai Chi for Knee Osteoarthritis
Official title: Remote Tai Chi for Knee Osteoarthritis: an Embedded Pragmatic Trial
Funded at Tufts Medical Center · NIH-11177915 · Data updated 2026-11-12
People with knee osteoarthritis are offered twice-weekly online Tai Chi for three months to reduce knee pain and improve daily function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $4,132,197 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3AT012413-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177915 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis who can join remote exercise sessions and have internet access, including older adults with common comorbidities.
✕Less likely to help
People who recently had knee arthroplasty, have unstable or surgically limiting knee conditions, or lack internet access are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
What this research studies
You would be invited through one of four health systems to join a pragmatic randomized program comparing twice-weekly 3-month web-based Tai Chi to routine care. Classes are delivered remotely so you can participate from home using an internet-connected device. Researchers will collect information on your knee pain, physical function, and how well the program can be used in routine clinical care. The trial is embedded in real-world clinics at Tufts Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, UCLA Health, and Cleveland Clinic to test scalability across regions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give people with knee OA a widely accessible, non-drug option to lower pain and improve mobility.
How similar studies have gone: Prior in-person trials and clinical guidelines support Tai Chi for knee OA, and small remote-delivery studies are promising though large pragmatic trials are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Chenchen — Tufts Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wang, Chenchen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Remote tai chi for knee OA in everyday care
A nationwide study will test remotely delivered tai chi for people with knee osteoarthritis to see if it helps pain and function when added to usual care.
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Aims to map inflammation across the body and brain in people with knee osteoarthritis using advanced imaging to help explain and improve pain and treatment.
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Determinants of rapid knee osteoarthritis progression using radiograph features
A patient-friendly look at how knees with osteoarthritis may progress more quickly, using advanced X-ray measurements to identify who is at higher risk.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.