A Tai chi and qigong mind-body program for low back pain: A virtually delivered randomized control trial.
Study Goal
The researchers sought to evaluate whether a virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) is effective for treating low back pain (LBP).
Results Summary
The treatment group showed statistically and clinically significant improvements in pain-related disability, pain intensity, sleep quality, and quality of life compared to the control group, with benefits persisting one month post-treatment. No adverse effects were reported.
Population
Adults (≥18 years) with chronic low back pain (≥6 weeks), excluding pregnant individuals, those with prior tai chi experience, or recent spine surgery.
Effective Dosage
60-minute live online group classes, twice weekly for 12 weeks.
Duration
12 weeks (with follow-up assessments up to 16 weeks).
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) | decrease | ODI score | adults with LBP | -4.7 (95% CI: -6.24 to -3.16, p<.01) points at week 8 | experienced statistically and clinically significant improvement | #1 |
virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) | decrease | ODI score | adults with LBP | -6.42 (95% CI: -7.96 to -4.88, p<.01) points at week 12 | experienced statistically and clinically significant improvement | #2 |
virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) | decrease | ODI score | adults with LBP | -8.14 (95% CI: -9.68 to -6.59, p<.01) points at week 16 | experienced statistically and clinically significant improvement | #3 |
virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) | decrease | pain intensity | adults with LBP | - | experienced statistically significant improvement | #4 |
virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) | increase | sleep quality | adults with LBP | - | experienced statistically significant improvement | #5 |
virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) | increase | quality of life (QOL) | adults with LBP | - | experienced statistically significant improvement | #6 |
virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) | decrease | pain-related disability | adults with LBP | - | resulted in small to moderate improvements | #7 |
virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) | decrease | pain intensity | adults with LBP | - | resulted in small to moderate improvements | #8 |
virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) | increase | sleep quality | adults with LBP | - | resulted in small to moderate improvements | #9 |
virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) | increase | QOL | adults with LBP | - | resulted in small to moderate improvements | #10 |
BACKGROUND: Mind-body treatments have the potential to manage pain, yet their effectiveness when delivered online for the treatment of low back pain (LBP) is unknown. We sought to evaluate whether a virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) is effective for treating LBP. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial compared VDTQM (n=175) to waitlist control (n=175). Eligible participants were at least 18 years old, had LBP for at least 6 weeks, were not pregnant, had not previously taken tai chi classes, and had not undergone spine surgery within 6 months. The treatment group received a 12-week VDTQM program in live online 60-minute twice-weekly group classes from September 2022 to December 2022. All participants continued their usual activities and care. Primary outcome was pain-related disability assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity, sleep quality, and quality of life (QOL). Intent-to-treat analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Of the 350 participants 278 (79%) were female, mean age was 58.8 years (range: 21-92), 244 (69.7%) completed the 8-week survey, 248 (70.9%) the 12-week, and 238 (68%) the 16 -week. No participants withdrew due to adverse treatment effects. Compared with control group, treatment group experienced statistically and clinically significant improvement in ODI score by -4.7 (95% CI: -6.24 to -3.16, p<.01), -6.42 (95% CI: -7.96 to -4.88, p<.01), and -8.14 (95% CI: -9.68 to -6.59, p<.01) points at weeks 8, 12, and 16, respectively. Treatment group also experienced statistically significant improvement at all time points in the other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Among adults with LBP, VDTQM treatment resulted in small to moderate improvements in pain-related disability, pain intensity, sleep quality, and QOL. Improvements persisted 1 month after treatment concluded. These findings suggest VDTQM may be a viable treatment option for patients with LBP.Trial registration: clincaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT05801588.