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Tai Chi Intervention for Balance Function in Older Adults: Predictive and Modifying Roles of Circadian Age

ConditionsAgingPostural BalanceAccidental Falls
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age55+
SponsorZhide Liang

About this trial

This study investigates the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi intervention on balance function in community-dwelling older adults. Participants are randomly assigned to either a Tai Chi exercise group or a health education control group. The primary outcome is balance function measured by the Berg Balance Scale. Secondary outcomes include physical function, psychological well-being, cognitive function, and sleep quality. The study also explores the predictive and modifying roles of baseline circadian age on intervention outcomes.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Aged 55 years or older

Community-dwelling

Able to walk independently (assistive devices such as canes are permitted)

Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score ≤52 at screening

Disqualifiers

Regular Tai Chi or yoga practice (more than once per week) within the past 6 months

Severe cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] score <20 at screening, or previously diagnosed dementia)

Unstable cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalization within the past 3 months)

Severe musculoskeletal disease that limits exercise participation

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Tai Chi Exercise

    Behavioral

    Yang-style 24-form Tai Chi taught by a nationally certified master coach. Classes are offered five days per week, with participants required to attend at least three sessions per week, for a total of 12 weeks (target: ≥36 sessions). Each 60-minute session includes a 10-minute warm-up, 35 minutes of Tai Chi practice, 10 minutes of cool-down (including standing meditation and breathing exercises), and 5 minutes for questions and home practice reminders. Class size is limited to 10-15 participants.

  • Health Education

    Behavioral

    Structured health education program delivered by professional medical and health management staff. Seminars cover topics including nutrition and dietary guidance, chronic disease management (hypertension, diabetes), fall prevention strategies, safe medication use, and general health literacy for older adults. The intervention runs for 12 weeks. Participants receive the same health screening, evaluation, and feedback benefits as the Tai Chi group. Free Tai Chi classes are offered to this group after the intervention period ends.

Treatment groups

90 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Tai Chi GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Health Education Control GroupActive comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Change in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) Score

The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a 14-item performance-based measure of static and dynamic balance. Each item is scored 0-4 based on the participant's ability to perform tasks such as sitting to standing, transfers, standing unsupported with eyes closed, turning, and single-leg stance. Total scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance function. Lower scores are associated with increased fall risk.

Time frame
Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes

1

Change in Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test

Functional mobility and dynamic balance test. Participants stand from an armed chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back, and sit down. Time to complete the task is recorded in seconds. Longer times indicate poorer mobility and higher fall risk.

Time frame
Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks
2

Change in Grip Strength

Maximum grip strength measured using a handheld dynamometer, in kilograms. Three trials per hand; maximum value recorded. Higher values indicate greater muscle strength. Time Frame: Change from baseline to 12 weeks

Time frame
Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks
3

Change in Balance Performance Measured by InBody Balance Trainer

Static balance assessed via center-of-pressure trajectory recorded by the InBody Balance Trainer during quiet standing, reported in millimeters. Shorter path length indicates better postural control.

Time frame
Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks
4

Change in Single-Leg Eye-Closed Standing Time

Static balance is assessed by measuring the time (in seconds) participants can maintain single-leg standing with eyes closed. Both legs are tested. Longer times indicate better static balance and proprioception.

Time frame
Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks

Other outcomes

1

Baseline Circadian Age Acceleration (AgeAccel_z)

Circadian age acceleration is derived from 7-day wrist-worn accelerometer (ActiGraph) data processed using the GGIR R package. AgeAccel\_z is the standardized residual of circadian age regressed on chronological age, reported in standard deviation units (z-score). Positive values indicate accelerated circadian aging relative to chronological age.

Time frame
Baseline
2

Changes in Blood Metabolomic and Proteomic Profiles

Targeted and untargeted metabolomics analysis of serum and plasma samples; proteomics analysis (Olink/SomaScan platform) including inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP), aging-related proteins (GDF-15), and neurotrophic factors (BDNF).

Time frame
Change from baseline to end of intervention, up to 12 weeks
3

Changes in Serum Metabolomic Profiles

Targeted and untargeted metabolomics analysis of serum samples. Differential metabolites between groups are identified using fold change (\|FC\|\>1.2) and false discovery rate (FDR\<0.1). Results are reported as the number of significantly altered metabolites and enriched metabolic pathways.

Time frame
Change from baseline to 12 weeks
4

Changes in Serum Proteomic Profiles

Proteomic analysis using Olink or SomaScan platform measuring inflammation-related proteins (IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP, IL-1β), aging-related proteins (GDF-15, IGFBP-3), and neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF). Differential proteins between groups are identified using fold change (\|FC\|\>1.5) and false discovery rate (FDR\<0.1). Results are reported as the number of significantly altered proteins.

Time frame
Change from baseline to 12 weeks

Locations

This trial has no locations.

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Zhide Liang

Lead sponsor

Hainan Medical College

Sponsor institution

Macao Polytechnic University

Collaborator

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

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