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Exergaming-based Sitting Tai Chi for Sarcopenia and/or Frailty
Sponsor: Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Summary
This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effects of an exergaming-based sitting Tai Chi program on muscle strength, physical function, cognition, and psychosocial outcomes in older adults living in residential care facilities who are at risk of sarcopenia and/or prefrailty. Eligible participants aged 60 years or older will be identified using simple screening criteria for sarcopenia and prefrailty and will not meet full diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia or frailty. A total of 152 participants will be randomly assigned to either an individually supervised exergaming-based sitting Tai Chi intervention or a group-based general health education control, each delivered twice weekly for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is dominant-hand grip strength, a core indicator of sarcopenia-related muscle weakness. Key secondary outcomes include sitting balance and functional reach assessed by the Modified Functional Reach Test, with additional secondary measures of muscle mass, lower-extremity function, activities of daily living, reaction time and health-related quality of life. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. The findings will provide preliminary evidence on whether chair-based exergaming Tai Chi can be integrated into routine residential care to support healthy aging and functional independence.
Official title: Exergaming-based Sitting Tai Chi for Older Adults in Residential Care at Risk of Sarcopenia and/or Frailty
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
60 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
152
Start Date
2026-03-01
Completion Date
2027-12-31
Last Updated
2026-07-01
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Exergaming-based sitting Tai Chi
The structure and content of the 12-form seated Tai Chi routine build on earlier sitting Tai Chi programs developed by Tsang and colleagues for frail older adults and neurological populations. The program targets three domains: (i) balance control, (ii) eye-hand coordination, and (iii) limb flexibility. Training is organized into progressive phases (learning, skill-specific training, and game modes). Each session begins with a 5-minute warm-up and ends with cool-down stretching and breathing exercises.
General health education
Health education will be delivered using audio visual materials, brief talks and interactive discussion to provide engaging but non specific information about daily health management.
Locations (1)
Exergaming Research Centre, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong