Study Name:
Memory & Motion

Principal Investigator:
Rachel Pruchno, PhD

Brief Summary of Research Initiative:
This pilot study examined the role of low impact exercise and tai chi on healthy individuals, age 50 and up, living in the community. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group, low impact exercise group, or Tai Chi group for the first 12 weeks of the study. Participants in the exercise groups attended classes three times each week, with each session lasting approximately one hour. After the first 12 weeks of the study, persons in the control and low impact groups were offered the opportunity to participate in a 12-week Tai Chi group. People initially in the Tai Chi group had the opportunity to continue for another 12 weeks of Tai Chi.

Physical, cognitive, and self-report assessments were made prior to the start of the study, after week 12, and after week 24.

Sample Size:
72

Funding Source:
UMDNJ-SOM Dean's Fund

Dates of Study:
Start: March, 2005
End: June, 2006

Start-End Field Period:
June, 2005-December, 2005

Method of Data Collection:
Physical and cognitive assessments were administered individually to each participant. Self-administered surveys were also completed by participants.

Design (Cross-sectional, etc.):
Randomized Controlled Trial with Crossover

Major Findings:
Preliminary results revealed that after only a 12-week intervention, participants in both the tai chi and low impact groups (but not in the control group) experienced significant reductions in their functional limitations and improvements in their psychological well-being. The three groups were comparably matched on all relevant variables at baseline. Participants in both the low impact and tai chi interventions (but not the control group) experienced improvements with respect to: walking stairs, sleep, energy, appetite, constipation, back pain, heart pounding, muscle soreness, numbness, weakness, positive affect, depressive symptoms, anxiety, grip strength, up and go, chair stand, and 2-minute step test. Participants in the low impact intervention (but not tai chi or control groups) experienced improvements in ability to lift and carry heavy items, while participants in the tai chi intervention (but not the low impact or control groups) reported better subjective health, and better ability to stand and sit for long periods of time. While the small sample size may have limited the number of statistically significant findings, the overall pattern of findings across variables is dramatic.

Poster/Paper Sessions at Professional Meetings:

Title: Tai Chi and Low Impact Exercise Reduce Functional Limitations in The Elderly.
Authors: Frye BR, Lin T, Cavalieri M, Scheinthal SM, Kemerskaya T, and Pruchno RA
Poster Session: American Osteopathic Association Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV October 16-20, 2006

Title: Tai Chi and Low Impact Exercise Improve Psychological Outcomes in The Elderly.
Authors: Frye BR, Lin T, Cavalieri M, Scheinthal SM, Kemerskaya T, Brill JE, and Pruchno RA.
Poster Session: Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX November 16-20, 2006

Sifu Jonathan B. Walker, LPN leads the Memory & Motion participants (left to right),
Jean Kenly, Alice Esposito, Joe Angelastro, Barbara Kelly, Gail Treger, Rosalie Dear,
Norma Goldberg, & Mary Notoro, in Tai Chi.

Memory & Motion participants with NJISA faculty and staff celebrating the launch of the
New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging on November 16, 2005.