Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a liver condition primarily driven by metabolic dysfunctions that may progress to hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is also implicated in the development of other metabolic dysfunction-related diseases. MAFLD has emerged as a growing public health concern in China. Despite its potential benefits, Tai Chi exercise has not been widely adopted for individuals with MAFLD, and there is limited research investigating its therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a structured Tai Chi intervention on middle-aged and elderly individuals with MAFLD.
Methods: The study employs a comprehensive open, randomized, parallel, and controlled design. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated into three groups: Tai Chi, conventional exercise, and control. A total of 250 participants will be enrolled, comprising 100 participants each for the Tai Chi and conventional exercise groups and 50 for the control group. Both the Tai Chi and conventional exercise groups will participate in a structured 6-month exercise program. During the intervention, both groups will also receive regular health education on fatty liver disease. Participants will be encouraged to maintain their usual activities but will be advised against starting new exercise regimens. The control group will receive only health education on fatty liver disease. The primary efficacy endpoint is the change in hepatic triglyceride content measured via validated imaging techniques after 6 months. Secondary endpoints include changes in total body fat, waist circumference, body weight, blood pressure, blood lipids, blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, pancreatic beta-cell function, kidney function, and pulse wave velocity. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention.
Discussion: Tai Chi exercises demonstrate therapeutic potential in reducing intrahepatic fat content, promoting weight loss, and mitigating cardiovascular risk factors. Furthermore, their efficacy appears superior to that of conventional exercise modalities.
Age between 40 and 75 years;
Liver fat content measured by mDixon QUANT is ≥5%;
Diagnosis of metabolic associated fatty liver disease;
Overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m²);
Excessive alcohol consumption (definition: in the past 6 months, males have consumed more than 140g of alcohol per week, and females have consumed more than 70g);
Fatty liver due to other causes: such as alcoholic fatty liver, acute and chronic viral hepatitis, drug-induced hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, etc.;
Severe cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction within the past 6 months;
Heart failure (NYHA classification: III - IV);
Parallel
Tai Chi Exercise
BehavioralTai Chi is a moderate-intensity exercise suitable for middle-aged and elderly individuals. Participants will engage in the practice five times a week (three sessions will be in-person teaching, and two will be online), with each session lasting 60 minutes, continuing until the end of a six-month follow-up. Before the intervention begins, participants will receive a manual or instructional video on Tai Chi to understand its principles, practice techniques, and safety precautions. Each class will start with a warm-up and include a review of Tai Chi principles and movements, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods. Participants will document their Tai Chi practice over 24 weeks by submitting exercise weekly logs, while researchers will monitor their exercise progress weekly via phone using standardized forms to assess frequency, completion status, adverse events, and adherence.
Regular Exercise
BehavioralThe intervention for middle-aged and elderly individuals includes a combination of common activities: 15 minutes of walking, 15 minutes of body coordination activities (including limb movements and balance training), 15 minutes of muscle stretching, and 15 minutes of relaxation. Each exercise session lasts for 60 minutes, conducted five days a week. The heart rate during exercise will be adjusted based on monthly fitness assessments, and the daily activity level will be evaluated through logs and fitness trackers.
Control
BehavioralAll participants will be advised not to change their existing lifestyle habits and will only receive health education related to fatty liver throughout the intervention. The educational methods will include large group sessions, individual education, and telephone follow-ups, conducted every two months. Additionally, dietary and exercise assessments will be carried out during the intervention, with dietary intake recorded using a three-day food diary to track daily calorie consumption.
Determination of Liver Fat Content
The liver is scanned using a SIEMENS 3.0T MRI (Magnetom Prisma, Siemens Healthineers, Germany). Participants lie supine, holding breath at end-expiration. A 3D multi-echo water-fat separation gradient echo sequence is used with parameters: TR 9.00 ms, TE1-6 at 1.05-7.38 ms, 4° flip angle, 450×394 mm FOV, 1.4×1.4×3.5 mm voxel size, 64 slices, 13 sec collection time. Images include in-phase, out-of-phase, water, fat, fat fraction, and R2\* relaxation. Liver fat content (%) is measured in pseudocolor mode. ROIs are selected in liver's left lobe, central right lobe, and posterior right lobe below the portal vein at two levels, each 4 cm², avoiding bile ducts and vessels. Average fat content from 9 ROIs represents total liver fat content.
Body weight
The measurement is conducted in the morning on an empty stomach, with advance notice given to participants.A standardized scale provided by the research center is placed on a flat surface.Participants are required to remove shoes, hats, and outerwear, and to wear only a single layer of clothing, removing any personal items such as wallets and phones.Participants stand calmly on the scale with their feet symmetrically positioned. Their bodies should be upright, arms naturally relaxed at their sides, head straight, and eyes looking forward.Measurements are taken twice, recording the average, ensuring that the discrepancy between the two measurements is less than 1.0 kg, with precision to 0.1 kg. Participants are advised to maintain an upright posture.
Waist circumference
Waist circumference is measured in the morning after fasting. Subjects must stand upright with relaxed abdomen, arms down, and feet together. Use a metric tape at the midpoint between the lower ribs and upper iliac crest (about 1 cm above the navel), wrapped snugly but not compressing the skin. Subjects should breathe normally with a relaxed abdomen, and the measurement is taken at the end of exhalation, avoiding abdominal muscle contraction or breath holding. Repeat twice and record the average, ensuring measurements differ by less than 2 cm, accurate to 0.1 cm.
Blood pressure
Subjects must avoid heavy exercise, training, eating, drinking (except water), caffeine, extreme temperatures, and blood pressure-altering meds before measuring. Stop smoking 30 min prior. Relax, empty bladder, rest 5 min. Measure BP in a comfortable room, seated naturally with back straight, palms up. Cuff on bare skin, 1-2 cm above inner elbow, not covering joint, tube aligned with middle finger. Cuff center at heart level. After one measurement, loosen cuff, let subject move arm slightly, then rest 1-2 min before next. Take three measurements, 1 min apart, to 1 mmHg precision.
Grip strength of both hands
Using a calibrated hand dynamometer (Brand: CAMRY, Model: EH101).Subjects may stand or sit with their upper limbs naturally hanging at their sides. The palm should face the inner side of the body, with the handle of the dynamometer facing outward.Subjects should grip the dynamometer firmly to measure their grip strength, maintaining a stable posture without swinging the dynamometer back and forth during the measurement.Measure three times and record the maximum value. The dynamometer should be reset to zero before each measurement. Values should be recorded with a precision of 0.1 kg. The measurement can be conducted in the order of right hand followed by left hand.
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
