This is a single-arm longitudinal feasibility study for older adults that involves a 12-week home-based Tai Chi program and includes four remote and/or in-person data collection visits. The investigators will collect additional clinical data in a subset of participants who agree to undergo additional assessments in the Motion Analysis Laboratory at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, MA during two in-person data collection sessions. The investigators will assess feasibility and acceptability of the Tele-Tai Chi intervention; explore changes in clinically relevant outcome measures including: physical activity, self-efficacy, quality of life, balance, and gait; and evaluate longitudinal changes in Tai Chi proficiency.
The overall goal of the study is to test the delivery of a novel Tele-Tai Chi (TC) intervention in a single-arm feasibility study for community-dwelling TC-naïve older adults. The investigators will assess feasibility and acceptability of the Tele-TC intervention and its specific components through both qualitative and quantitative feedback, as well as the systematic tracking of adherence data to inform future trials and potential clinical use of the Tele-TC system. The investigators will also explore changes in outcome measures including physical activity, self-efficacy, quality of life, and gait, and evaluate changes in TC proficiency. Over the course of the 12-week program, participants will be assessed 4 times (baseline, two follow-up assessments at 4 and 8 weeks respectively, and a final assessment at 12 weeks). Study volunteers will be instructed to train on their own at least three times a week and to participate in 1:1 live sessions with TC instructors two or more times during the study period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
12-week simplified TC program using the Tele-TC platform at home, with recommended training sessions at least three times a week, and two or more supplementary live sessions.
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Protocol Adherence
The percentage of Tai Chi home practice sessions completed by participants.
Time frame: Post-intervention (approximately 12 weeks)
Retention
The percentage of participants who complete the study.
Time frame: Through study completion, approximately 12 weeks from the beginning of the study
System Usability Scale
The scale is based on a 10-item questionnaire with five response options (from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree) in which participants rate the usability of the system. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater usability.
Time frame: Post-intervention (approximately 12 weeks)
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