Remote Tai Chi for managing knee pain from osteoarthritis
Official title: Remote Tai Chi for Knee Osteoarthritis: an Embedded Pragmatic Trial
Funded at Tufts Medical Center · NIH-11126307 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | May 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,455,559 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3AT012413-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126307 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis who are seeking alternative pain management strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe knee osteoarthritis requiring surgical intervention or those unable to participate in physical activity may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
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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Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
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Nanoparticles delivering an sPLA2 blocker for knee osteoarthritis
This project uses tiny, drug-filled nanoparticles to deliver an sPLA2-blocking medicine into the knee to reduce inflammation and slow knee osteoarthritis in people with painful knee OA.
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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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Sensory nerves and joint cells talk to each other in knee arthritis
This grant tests how nerve signals and joint cells interact in knee osteoarthritis, with a focus on CGRP pathways and how they affect pain and joint damage.
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From knee to brain: a whole-body look at inflammation in knee osteoarthritis
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.