Feasibility of remotely delivered Tai Chi on older adults' 24-hour movement behaviors: A crossover randomized controlled trial.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-2026
Identifier
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2026.102072
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The feasibility of remotely delivered Tai Chi (TC) interventions and their potential influence on 24-h movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep) to promote health is limited. Thus, this study tested the feasibility of a remote TC program among community-dwelling older adults and examined its preliminary effects on 24-h movement behavior outcomes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A crossover randomized controlled trial enrolled 44 older adults assigned to either the AB sequence (12 weeks of remotely delivered TC followed by a 2-week washout and 12 weeks of usual care), or the BA sequence (the reverse order). Study feasibility was assessed by recruitment and retention rates, whereas intervention feasibility included intervention adherence, fidelity, and acceptability. The 24-h movement behaviors were tracked by a wearable sensor.
RESULTS: Forty-one participants (mean age = 70.8 ± 5.6; 78% women) completed the study and were included in the data analysis. Recruitment and retention rates were 76% and 93%, respectively. Results showed that 85% of participants completed ≥18 of 24 TC sessions, and 94% reported the acceptability of TC as "good" or "excellent". The linear mixed-effects models using period-level change scores showed no statistically significant treatment effects for steps, sleep time, sedentary time, lightly active time, or active time.
CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that a remotely delivered TC program is feasible, acceptable among community-dwelling older adults. Future larger trials with rigorous wearable sensor data are needed to determine whether remotely delivered TC can improve 24-h movement behavior patterns.
Journal Title
Complement Ther Clin Pract
Volume
64
First Page
102072
Last Page
102072
MeSH Keywords
Humans; Female; Aged; Tai Ji; Male; Cross-Over Studies; Feasibility Studies; Sleep; Exercise; Sedentary Behavior
PubMed ID
42285000
Keywords
Lightly active time; Physical activity; Sedentary time; Sleep; Steps
Recommended Citation
Chen Y, Ryu S, Zeng N, Oginni J, Taylor-Piliae RE, Gao Z. Feasibility of remotely delivered Tai Chi on older adults' 24-hour movement behaviors: A crossover randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2026;64:102072. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2026.102072
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