Riassunto dello studio

One hundred and twenty-four females with knee osteoarthritis were randomized to receive 24 weeks of supervised Tai Chi training (n=52) or a lecture-based education program (n=40) for the improvement of pain, function, and proprioception. Outcomes of interest included knee and ankle proprioception (ankle plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, varus, and valgus; knee flexion and extension), pain on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for pain, stiffness and physical function. Outcomes were assessed upon completion of the intervention protocol. Whilst no statistical significant differences were observed between groups in all proprioceptive outcomes (p>0.05 for all), the Tai Chi group reported a statistical improvement from baseline in ankle plantarflexion, ankle dorsiflexion, ankle varus, and knee flexion (p<0.05 for all). The improvement over time in WOMAC physical function scores was statistically significantly in favour of the Tai Chi group compared to the education group (p<0.01). The Tai Chi group did, however, report statistically significant improvements over time in VAS pain scores, WOMAC pain scores, WOMAC stiffness scores, and WOMAC physical function scores (p<0.05 for all).