Tai Chi postural training for dyskinesia rehabilitation: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in convalescent ischaemic stroke patients

Abstract

IntroductionAcute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is not only seriously damaging to the physical and mental health of patients, but also has become a major social public health problem. Effective dyskinesia rehabilitation treatment in convalescence is of great significance for AIS patients’ prognosis and quality of life. Tai Chi (TC) shows great potential in improving motor function. This trial aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of modified TC postural training (TPT), and to explore the related central-peripheral neurotransmitter mechanisms.Methods/designThe proposed study will be a multicentre randomised controlled trial. The trial will randomise 120 eligible AIS patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive TPT or Bobath rehabilitation training. Each training session will last 40 min and will be implemented once a day and five times per week (from Monday to Friday) in a duration of 4 weeks. After finishing the 4-week treatment, another 3-month follow-up period will be seen. Root mean square generated from the surface electromyogram (sEMG) will be the primary outcome. Other sEMG time-domain parameters and frequency-domain parameters and clinical scales assessment will be the secondary outcomes. Peripheral blood samples will be collected at baseline and at the end of 4-week treatment, which will be used to explore the related therapeutic mechanisms. Intention-to-treat analysis and per-protocol analysis will both be implemented in this trial.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by Ethics Committee of Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, being granted approval numbers DZMEC-KY-2020–22. The research results will be disseminated through (open access) peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences.Trial registration numberChiCTR2000032999.

Biomechanical Analysis of Tai Chi (Eight Methods and Five Steps) for Athletes’ Body Balance Control

“…After an eight-week experiment, they found significant within-group changes on the Berg balance scale (p < 0.05) after stretching and strengthening exercises. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial art, and numerous studies have demonstrated its unique role in promoting physical fitness [10]. It has shown improvements in various chronic diseases [11] such as breast cancer [12], depression [13], Parkinson's disease [14], high blood sugar levels [15], and hypertension [16].…”