Cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) reduce cardiovascular mortality in patients with myocardial infarction, angina and after coronary revascularization. Modifiable coronary risk factors such as physical inactivity, overweight and high serum lipid levels improve after CRPs. However, only 30% of patients currently enroll in CRPs and attrition may reach 60%. Barriers include older age, female gender, lack of social support, high co-pays, distance, depression and fear or dislike for certain types of exercise. Clearly, there is a need to develop programs tailored to the characteristics and needs of those who do not attend presently available programs. Tai Chi, a mind-body intervention based on light/moderate aerobic exercise accompanied by meditative components, improves aerobic capacity in older sedentary adults, as well as exercise self-efficacy, quality of life and mood in patients with heart failure. In addition, Tai Chi may overcome multiple barriers to traditional CRP. Tai Chi can be practiced safely by elderly and deconditioned individuals; it does not require any particular equipment and it may be performed at any time and place, thus fostering adherence. Since Tai Chi is usually taught in groups, and is safe even in high-risk patients, it has been successfully offered in community centers thus overcoming transportation barriers and limiting costs. Our long-term goal is conduct a phase III randomized clinical trial (RCT) to determine the efficacy of Tai Chi in improving overall physical activity in patients with recent coronary events or procedures that are unable or unwilling to attend traditional CRPs. The overall objectives of this treatment development study are to define the content, optimal dose, feasibility and safety of a Tai Chi intervention in this population; and to refine the design of th future RCT. Specifically, we will use an iterative modified Delphi technique to adapt the protocol and materials of an existing Tai Chi intervention for patients with heart failure to our specific study population (aim 1) and to select the optimal control group(s) for the future RCT (aim 2). After a preliminary pre-pilot testing of the acceptability of the Tai Chi intervention in a small (n=10) group of patients (aim 3), 60 patients (30 per dose) will be randomized to a 'standard dose' or to a 'high dose' of the intervention (aim 4). We will estimate the feasibility and safety f each dose and obtain estimates of effect size on changes from baseline physical activity (assessed with accelerometers) and on the proportion of patients achieving current recommendation for physical activity. Additional outcomes will be body weight, quality of life, mood, and perceived social support. Measurements will be conducted at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12 months after enrollment. Based on findings from aim 4, the investigative team will make the final adjustments to the Tai Chi intervention protocol (aim 5). Data generated from the proposed study will lead to the design of a phase III RCT to assess the efficacy of Tai Chi in promoting physical activity in patients with recent coronary events or procedures that are unable or unwilling to attend traditional CRPs.
Traditional exercise-based CRPs have been shown to reduce total and cardiovascular mortality by 25%; but involve less than a third of patients recovering from acute coronary events. Even a modest effect of the Tai Chi intervention on physical activity might have a significant impact on public health since it would affect the large number (about 70%) of individuals recovering from acute cardiac events who currently do not attend CRPs. If proven to be safe and effective; Tai Chi training could be offered as an alternative to traditionalCRPs to target an important component of the secondary prevention of CHD - physical inactivity - in this high risk population.
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena; Wayne, Peter M; Dunsiger, Shira et al. (2017) Tai Chi Is a Promising Exercise Option for Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Declining Cardiac Rehabilitation. J Am Heart Assoc 6: |
| Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena; Wayne, Peter; Bock, Beth C et al. (2015) Design and methods of the Gentle Cardiac Rehabilitation Study--A behavioral study of tai chi exercise for patients not attending cardiac rehabilitation. Contemp Clin Trials 43:243-51 |
