Tai Chi for Diabetes

The Tai Chi for Diabetes program was the focus of the Move It for Diabetes study, designed to assess the impact of Tai Chi on health outcomes associated with type II diabetes. Its goal is to improve mobility and physical function in adults with type II diabetes through sessions of Tai Chi, which is characterized by slow, smooth movements. The Tai Chi used in this program includes warm-up and cool down exercises and is done with knees slightly bent, also incorporating the practice of breathing and visualization. The program appeals to a population that may have previously failed to exercise or have faced limitations in their exercise options due to personal fear or physical inability. Many of the participants are obese and/or have osteoarthritis which would make certain types of cardiovascular exercise difficult. Similarly, older populations, for example, may be afraid of hurting themselves when engaging in intensive physical activity. The guidance of a trained instructor is also essential for direction and proper form. The program in the study was implemented as a series of two, one-hour sessions per week for a total of 16 weeks. Ideally, the program would be implemented at a community level and in a setting that specifically targets an older, diabetic population, such as a senior center.

The goal of the “Tai Chi for Diabetes” program was to improve health-related outcomes for
individuals diagnosed with type II diabetes in areas of mobility and physical function.

Tai Chi for Diabetes was evaluated using a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-eight subjects - 18 in Tai Chi and 20 in the control - partook in the study comprised of two supervised, one-hour sessions per week. Measures of outcome were taken at baseline and after the program ended by an investigator who also led the exercise sessions. Weekly questionnaires were conducted through phone or in person to account for “adverse events” or variations in health status. During the last three weeks, exercise intensity was measured through the monitoring of heart rates. Body composition and nutritional status were also accounted for using measures of height, mass, and waist circumference. Physical functioning was evaluated by calculating both the habitual and the maximum gait speeds in a six-minute walk distance test. Muscle performance, endurance, and balance were also evaluated. Health status and psychosocial functioning were measured through self-reports, physician exams, and medical records.

Concluding findings showed that although neither group experienced improvements in habitual gait speed, muscle strength, static balance, walking endurance, self-reported physical function or mental health, both groups saw significant improvements in overall balance and maximal gait speed (Tai Chi: 6.6 [95% CI: 1.5-11.7]% and Sham: 5.9 [95%CI: -0.1-11.9]%; p=0.0005). Major differences between groups, however, were not detected at statistically significant levels.