Remote Tai Chi for managing knee pain from osteoarthritis
Remote Tai Chi for Knee Osteoarthritis: an Embedded Pragmatic Trial
This study is looking at how well an online Tai Chi program can help people with knee osteoarthritis feel better, by combining gentle movement and support, compared to regular care, making it easier for those who can't attend in-person classes.
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 ID | NIH-11126307 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a remote Tai Chi program delivered online for individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Participants will engage in a twice-weekly, three-month Tai Chi intervention, which combines physical movement with psychosocial support, compared to standard care. The study aims to assess how well this approach works in real-world settings across multiple healthcare systems, including Tufts Medical Center and others. By focusing on a remote delivery method, the research seeks to make Tai Chi more accessible to patients who may have difficulty attending in-person sessions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis who are seeking alternative pain management strategies.
Not a fit: Patients with severe knee osteoarthritis requiring surgical intervention or those unable to participate in physical activity may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safe and effective non-drug treatment option for patients with knee osteoarthritis, potentially reducing pain and improving mobility.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for Tai Chi in managing knee osteoarthritis pain, particularly with remote delivery methods during the pandemic.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Tufts Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Chenchen — Tufts Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wang, Chenchen
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 below.