The effect of Ai Chi and Tai Chi training on physical function, functional balance and fear of falling of patients with knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases of old age. This study aimed to compare the effect of Ai Chi and Tai Chi training on physical Function, functional balance, and fear of falling of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

30 male patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided to experimental groups 1 and 2. Ai Chi and Tai Chi training program was performed for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, and 60 minutes per session under the supervision of the researcher. To measure patientschr('39') physical function variables used the WOMAC questionnaire, take a stand-up test, sit for 30 seconds and get up from a chair, take a 40-meter brisk walk test and take a step-up test to assess functional balance, and fear of falling was assessed by FES-I questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using analysis of covariance at the level of 5% error, using version 22 of SPSS software.

The results showed that intragroup changes in physical Function, functional balance, and fear of falling after eight weeks of training were significant in the Ai Chi and Tai Chi groups (P≤0.001). However, the results showed a significant difference only in the fear of falling between the two groups (P=0.003) and the mean score of patients in Ai chi group was significantly higher.

In general, this study shows that Ai Chi and Tai Chi training, at least in the short term, can significantly improve the physical Function, functional balance and fear of falling of patients with osteoarthritis and therefore these treatments, are considered safe exercising methods alongside other treatments, and are recommended for osteoarthritis.