Effects of Tai Chi versus Physical Therapy on Mindfulness in Knee Osteoarthritis.
Augustine C Lee, William F Harvey, John B Wong, Lori Lyn Price, Xingyi Han, Mei Chung, Jeffrey B Driban, Lucas Morgan, Nani L Morgan, Chenchen Wang
Mindfulness October 2017 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-017-0692-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 86 |
| Population | Adults with radiographic-confirmed, symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (74% female, 48% white, mean age 60 years, 85% at least college educated) |
| Interventions | Tai Chi physical therapy |
| Duration | 12 weeks (twice weekly), with assessments before and after intervention |
| Measures | Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), patient-reported outcomes for pain, physical function, and other health-related outcomes |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Chronic pain Mechanism Mind-body Osteoarthritis Tai chi |
| Key findings | Tai Chi and physical therapy produced substantial improvements in pain, function, and other health-related outcomes, but neither significantly changed total mindfulness scores on the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. The authors suggest that Tai Chi may not improve health in knee OA through cultivating mindfulness, and that further study is needed to identify the mechanisms of effective mind-body interventions. |
Abstract
Tai Chi mind-body exercise is widely believed to improve mindfulness through incorporating meditative states into physical movements. A growing number of studies indicate that Tai Chi may improve health in knee osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic pain disease and a primary cause of global disability. However, little is known about the contribution of mindfulness to treatment effect of Tai Chi practice. Therefore, our purpose was to investigate the effect of Tai Chi mind-body practice compared to physical therapy (PT) on mindfulness in knee OA. Adults with radiographic-confirmed, symptomatic knee OA were randomized to either 12 weeks (twice weekly) of Tai Chi or PT. Participants completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) before and after intervention along with commonly-used patient-reported outcomes for pain, physical function, and other health-related outcomes. Among 86 participants (74% female, 48% white, mean age 60 years, 85% at least college educated), mean total FFMQ was 142±17. Despite substantial improvements in pain, function, and other health-related outcomes, each treatment group's total FFMQ did not significantly change from baseline (Tai Chi= 0.76, 95% CI: -2.93, 4.45; PT= 1.80, 95% CI: -2.33, 5.93). The difference in total FFMQ between Tai Chi and PT was not significant (-1.04 points, 95% CI: -6.48, 4.39). Mindfulness did not change after Tai Chi or PT intervention in knee OA, which suggests that Tai Chi may not improve health in knee OA through cultivating mindfulness. Further study is needed to identify underlying mechanisms of effective mind-body interventions among people with knee OA.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- The Influence of Mindfulness-Enhanced Resistance Training Program on the Subjective Well-Being of Female College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Behavioral Sciences April 8, 2026
- Energy Practices and Mindfulness Meditation Mindfulness November 1, 2022
- Evaluation of mindfulness based stress reduction in symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC rheumatology May 30, 2022
- The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation in Managing Chronic Pain: A Mini-Review Journal of Yoga and Physiotherapy April 16, 2019
Cites 11
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Mindfulness meditation for the treatment of chronic low back pain in older adults: A randomized controlled pilot study ☆ Pain June 4, 2007
- Changes in Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sleep Quality in College Students Through Taijiquan Courses: A Cohort Control Study The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine October 1, 2011
- Mindfulness--What Works for Whom? Referral, Feasibility, and User Perspectives Regarding Patients with Mixed Chronic Pain. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine April 2016
and 6 more in the library