The Effect Of Tai Chi Exercise On Risk Factors In Community Populations With High Risk Of Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to provide evidence for Tai Chi in preventing ischenric stroke by evaluating the improvement effect of Tai Chi on the risk factors of ischemic strokef.MethodsA total of 170 eligible participants were recruited from communities in our city and randomly allocated into Tai Chi training group or the blank control group in a 1:1 ratio. The participants in the Tai Chi training group accept the 24 forms simplified Tai Chi exercise, guided by teachers teaching Tai Chi in Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The intervention period lasted for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week follow-up period. The outcomes include function of cerebral vessels, risk factor in blood and body index. All outcomes will be measured at baseline, the end of the intervention and the end of the follow-up, respectively.Results(1) Compared with beginning, there is no obvious improvement on the cerebral-vascular function in basilar artery. No significant difference is found when compared with the control group. The blood velocity increased among male practicers while no obvious improvement was found among male practicers. But no significant difference is found when compared with the control group.(2) Compared with beginning, there is no obvious improvement on the cerebral-vascular function in left vertebral artery. No significant difference is found when compared with the control group. The blood velocity increased among male practicers while no obvious improvement was found among male practicers. But no significant difference is found when compared with the control group.(3) Compared with beginning, there is no obvious improvement on the cerebral-vascular function in right vertebral artery. No significant difference is found when compared with the control group. The pulse index and resistance index declined among male practicers after the intervention, and significant difference is found when compared with the control group (P1=0.046<0.05;P2=0.031<0.05). The max velocity and minimal velocity increased among male practicers during the follow-up period, and significant difference is found when compared with the control group (P3=0.047<0.05; P4=0.045<0.05).(4) Compared with beginning,the total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density cholesterol and fasting blood-glucose declined among Tai Chi group, but there is no significant difference is found when compared with the blank control group. High-density cholesterol level increased and significant difference is found when compared with the control group. Homocysteine also increased, but no significant difference is found when compared with the control group.The results of the research have no gender differences.(5) Compared with beginning, the body mass index among Tai Chi group declined, while there is no obvious change in waist to hip ratio. no significant difference is found when compared with the control group.The results of the research have no gender differences.Conclusion1 Tai Chi exercise shows effect on improving cerebral-vascular function among males.2 Tai Chi exercise can lower the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density cholesterol, fasting blood-glucose to some extent, and can obviously improve level of high-density cholesterol. However, it could not lower homocysteine.3 There is no obvious improvement on the body index. The reason may be related to the short intervention period.