What is the Study About?
The TAICHIKNEE study is testing if a 3-month, remote-delivery Tai Chi program helps adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA) better than routine care. This study is being done across five healthcare systems and is trying to answer two big questions:
- – Does 3-month remote Tai Chi improve knee pain, function, and quality of life in Knee Osteoarthritis?
- – Does 3-month remote Tai Chi help reduce knee injections, surgery, and pain medication over one year?
Why Does This Matter?
Knee OA is a common cause of pain and disability. It affects more than 32.5 million people in the U.S. Many people with knee OA have ongoing pain and trouble moving. However, long-term use of medicine can cause side effects, especially for older adults. That’s why it’s important to find safer and easier treatments.
How Can Tai Chi Help?
Tai Chi is a gentle exercise that uses slow movements, breathing, and mental focus. Research shows that Tai Chi can help reduce pain and improve the quality of life for people with knee OA. Doctors and experts, like the American College of Rheumatology, recommend Tai Chi as a treatment.
In this study, participants will learn Tai Chi through a remote-delivery program, so they can practice from home. This is the first study to test how well remote-delivery Tai Chi works in real life and if it can help more people in the future.
