Sign Chi Do exercise for adaptation to aging

Sedentary older adults are at risk of decreased physical function and maladaptation to aging that may lead to loss of independence. Sign Chi Do (SCD) is a mind-body approach that has multiple health benefits including improving strength and balance. The Roy Adaptation Model guided the design of a 12 week intervention that tested the effects of SCD exercise compared to a sedentary wait-list control group on physiologic and self-concept adaptation among sedentary community dwelling adults over 55. 67 older adults (mean age = 74.46, SD = 8.15) were recruited and randomized to the SCD or control group. Measurement of physiologic adaptation (Timed Up & Go [TUG], 6-minute walk [6-MW], weekly physical activity [PA], pedometer steps, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and self-concept adaptation (Functional Assessment of Chronic Disease Spiritual-wellbeing [FACIT-SP] and Exercise Self-efficacy [ESE]) were completed at baseline (T1), 6 and 12 weeks (T2 and T3). Physiologic adaptation improved over time for three measures while self-concept adaptation did not. The TUG and PA scores improved significantly from T1 to T3 for the intervention group (actual change -2.53, p = .000 and 1512.71, p = .001 respectively). There was a significant between group difference of 271.36 feet walked for the 6-MW at T3, p = 0.02. The self-concept measures were high at baseline and higher baseline FACIT-SP scores were associated with faster 6-MW, more PA, and higher ESE. These results indicate that the theory based SCD intervention improved measures of balance and physical function among sedentary older adults.