Effect of 8-form Tai Chi vs health education on mobility in older adults with sarcopenic knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial
In brief
Tai Chi helps 58% of older adults with sarcopenic knee arthritis meet a mobility target
After 12 weeks, 58% of participants in the Tai Chi group improved their Timed Up and Go time by at least 2.8 seconds, compared with 13% receiving health education and home exercise. The average mobility benefit was slightly below that threshold and smaller by week 26; pain results varied by measure, leaving the durability and broader benefits to clarify.
- Journal
- Osteoarthritis and cartilage open (Q1)
- Published
- 23 September 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Guang-Ming Liu, Li-Ping Chai, Ping Huang, Jia-Yu Yang, Wei-Yi Zhan, Chen-Yi Rong, et al.
- PMID
- 42893116
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ocarto.2026.100881
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (paper of the day, 23 October 2026): RCT, Tai Chi improves mobility in sarcopenic knee OA
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a 12-week simplified 8-form Tai Chi program improves mobility in older adults with sarcopenic knee osteoarthritis (SPKOA) compared with health education plus progressive home exercise. METHOD: This assessor-masked, 2-site trial randomized 96 adults aged 65-85 years with SPKOA 1:1 to Tai Chi or health education plus home exercise. The primary outcome was change in Timed Up and Go (TUG) time at week 12. Site-adjusted categorical-time linear mixed-effects models were used. A TUG improvement of at least 2.8 s defined individual response. RESULTS: At week 12, the adjusted between-group difference in TUG change was -2.52 s (95% CI, -3.43 to -1.61; p < 0.001), favoring Tai Chi but slightly below the prespecified individual improvement threshold. TUG responders were more frequent with Tai Chi (28/48 [58.3%] vs 6/48 [12.5%]; adjusted risk ratio, 4.81 [95% CI, 2.29-10.07]). At week 26, the TUG difference was -1.46 s (95% CI, -2.41 to -0.52). Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain favored Tai Chi, whereas visual analog scale pain showed no clear between-group separation. No intervention-related serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: Simplified 8-form Tai Chi improved mobility compared with an active health education and home-exercise program in older adults with SPKOA. The average week-12 TUG advantage was slightly below the prespecified individual improvement threshold, but clinically important TUG responses were more frequent with Tai Chi and a smaller mean benefit persisted at week 26. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry: ITMCTR2025001324.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.