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Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Study protocol

Evaluation of Tai Chi Yunshou exercises on community-based stroke patients with balance dysfunction: a study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial

Authors: Jing Tao, Ting Rao, Lili Lin, Wei Liu, Zhenkai Wu, Guohua Zheng, Yusheng Su, Jia Huang, Zhengkun Lin, Jinsong Wu, Yunhua Fang, Lidian Chen

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Balance dysfunction after stroke limits patients’ general function and participation in daily life. Previous researches have suggested that Tai Chi exercise could offer a positive improvement in older individuals’ balance function and reduce the risk of falls. But convincing evidence for the effectiveness of enhancing balance function after stroke with Tai Chi exercise is still inadequate. Considering the difficulties for stroke patients to complete the whole exercise, the current trial evaluates the benefit of Tai Chi Yunshou exercise for patients with balance dysfunction after stroke through a cluster randomization, parallel-controlled design.

Methods/Design

A single-blind, cluster-randomized, parallel-controlled trial will be conducted. A total of 10 community health centers (5 per arm) will be selected and randomly allocated into Tai Chi Yunshou exercise group or balance rehabilitation training group. Each community health centers will be asked to enroll 25 eligible patients into the trial. 60 minutes per each session, 1 session per day, 5 times per week and the total training round is 12 weeks. Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline and 4-weeks, 8-weeks, 12-weeks, 6-week follow-up, 12-week follow-up after randomization. Safety and economic evaluation will also be assessed.

Discussion

This protocol aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi Yunshou exercise for the balance function of patients after stroke. If the outcome is positive, this project will provide an appropriate and economic balance rehabilitation technology for community-based stroke patients.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-13003641. Registration date: 22 August, 2013 http://​www.​chictr.​org/​usercenter/​project/​listbycreater.​aspx.
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Metadata
Title
Evaluation of Tai Chi Yunshou exercises on community-based stroke patients with balance dysfunction: a study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors
Jing Tao
Ting Rao
Lili Lin
Wei Liu
Zhenkai Wu
Guohua Zheng
Yusheng Su
Jia Huang
Zhengkun Lin
Jinsong Wu
Yunhua Fang
Lidian Chen
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-015-0555-1

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