A research protocol to examine the effect of Tai Chi on cognitive functions and functional capability on daily activities, and health-related quality of life (HROQL) among community-dwelling older people with mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of older people with cognitive decline is increasing since the aging population is growing substantially worldwide. Cognitive impairment places older adults at high risk for functional disability. Previous researches have provided strong evidence on the beneficial effect of physical exercise on maintaining cognitive function in older adults. Tai Chi is considered as a low to moderate intensity exercise, which is performed in a slow and rhythmic movement. It is a popular and safe exercise suitable for older people who have weaker muscle strength.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of Tai Chi on cognitive functions and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL), and health related quality of life (HRQOL) in older Chinese adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Hong Kong.

Methodology: The study adopts a multi-site nonequivalent control-group pretest-posttest design. The study population consists of community-dwelling older people, aged 60 or above, with MCI. The intervention group will receive training on the simplified form of Tai Chi, at frequency two lessons a week and each lesson lasts for 1 hour. The control group have no treatment regime within the study period. Outcome measures are measures on global cognitive status, instrumental ADL and HRQOL among older people with MCI.

Results and Discussion: There is no interventional study has been conducted to investigate the effect of Tai Chi on instrumental ADL and HRQOL in older people with cognitive impairment. This article is to describe a quasiexperimental clinical trial for examining the cognitive, functional and psychosocial effect of Tai Chi training on older people with MCI.