Dr. Lam has received royalties from the instructional DVD Tai Chi for Back Pain.
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Back Pain
Tai chi exercise for treatment of pain and disability in people with persistent low back pain: A randomized controlled trial†
Article first published online: 27 OCT 2011
DOI: 10.1002/acr.20594
Copyright © 2011 by the American College of Rheumatology
Additional Information
How to Cite
Hall, A. M., Maher, C. G., Lam, P., Ferreira, M. and Latimer, J. (2011), Tai chi exercise for treatment of pain and disability in people with persistent low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Care Res, 63: 1576–1583. doi: 10.1002/acr.20594
- †
ACTRN: 12608000270314.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 27 OCT 2011
- Article first published online: 27 OCT 2011
- Accepted manuscript online: 30 AUG 2011 10:13AM EST
- Manuscript Accepted: 5 AUG 2011
- Manuscript Received: 1 FEB 2011
Funded by
- Arthritis Foundation of Australia
- Arthritis Care of the UK
- Arthritis Foundation of the US
- Australian Government Endeavour International Post-Graduate Research Scholarship
- Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council
- Australian Research Council
Abstract
Objective
To determine the effect of tai chi exercise on persistent low back pain.
Methods
We performed a randomized controlled trial in a general community setting in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Participants consisted of 160 volunteers between ages 18 and 70 years with persistent nonspecific low back pain. The tai chi group (n = 80) consisted of 18 40-minute sessions over a 10-week period delivered in a group format by a qualified instructor. The waitlist control group continued with their usual health care. Bothersomeness of back symptoms was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity and pain-related disability. Data were collected at pre- and postintervention and analyzed by intent-to-treat.
Results
Tai chi exercise reduced bothersomeness of back symptoms by 1.7 points on a 0–10 scale, reduced pain intensity by 1.3 points on a 0–10 scale, and improved self-report disability by 2.6 points on the 0–24 Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scale. The followup rate was >90% for all outcomes. These results were considered a worthwhile treatment effect by researchers and participants.
Conclusion
This is the first pragmatic randomized controlled trial of tai chi exercise for people with low back pain. It showed that a 10-week tai chi program improved pain and disability outcomes and can be considered a safe and effective intervention for those experiencing long-term low back pain symptoms.