1. Orthop Nurs. 2003 Sep-Oct;22(5):353-60.

Effects of T'ai Chi exercise on fibromyalgia symptoms and health-related quality
of life.

Taggart HM, Arslanian CL, Bae S, Singh K.

Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA, USA.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM), one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders,
is associated with high levels of impaired health and inadequate or limited
symptom relief. The cause of this complex syndrome is unknown, and there is no
known cure. Numerous research results indicate that a combination of physical
exercise and mind-body therapy is effective in symptom management. T'ai Chi, an
ancient Chinese exercise, combines physical exercise with mindbody therapy.
PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of T'ai Chi exercise on FM symptoms and
health-related quality of life. DESIGN: Pilot study, one group pre-to-post
posttest design. METHODS: Participants with FM (n = 39) formed a single group for
6 weeks of 1-hour, twice weekly T'ai Chi exercise classes. FM symptoms and
health-related quality of life were measured before and after exercise. FINDINGS:
Twenty-one participants completed at least 10 of the 12 exercise sessions.
Although the dropout rate was higher than expected, measurements on both the
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) (Buckhardt, Clark, & Bennett, 1991) and
the Short Form-36 (SE-36) (Ware & Sherbourne, 1992) revealed statistically
significant improvement in symptom management and health-related quality of life.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING RESEARCH: Knowledge of interventions to enhance health
for the patient with musculoskeletal problems is a National Association of
Orthopaedic Nurses priority. Tai Chi is potentially beneficial to patients with
FM. Further research is needed to support evidence-based practice.

PMID: 14595996 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Fibromyalgia

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