Tai Chi Mind-Body Therapy for Fibromyalgia
Tai Chi Mind-Body Therapy for Fibromyalgia
The purpose of this study is to obtain preliminary data on the effects of Tai Chi on
 musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep quality, psychological distress, physical
 performance,and health status in 60 patients with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common, complex chronic condition marked by diffuse musculoskeletal
 pain, fatigue, functional impairment, disability, and psychological distress that affects
 6-10 million people in the United States (US). There are currently no satisfactory
 pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatments for FM. New cost-effective strategies that
 reduce musculoskeletal pain and improve emotional and physical functioning as well as quality
 of life in people with FM are urgently needed.

 Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese discipline with both physical and mental components that
 appears to benefit a variety of chronic conditions. The physical component provides exercise
 that is consistent with that recommended for FM (muscle conditioning and aerobic
 cardiovascular exercise), while the mental component has the potential to improve
 psychological well-being. These effects are especially pertinent for the treatment of
 individuals with FM.

 This is a pilot randomized controlled trial of Tai Chi for fibromyalgia. We plan to enroll 60
 patients with fibromyalgia over a two year period. Participants are randomized to either a
 Tai Chi program or an attention control intervention. Assessments are performed at baseline,
 week 12 and week 24. This study will provide preliminary data on the potential acceptability
 and safety of Tai Chi for FM and will help guide the design of a future large-scale study of
 the efficacy of this alternative therapy.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Age 21 or older

 -  Fulfills the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 diagnostic criteria for FM.
 (1) a history of widespread musculoskeletal pain on the right and left sides of the
 body as well as above and below the waist for a minimum duration of 3 months, and (2)
 pain in 11 or more of 18 specific tender points with moderate or greater tenderness
 reported upon digital palpation.

 -  Physically able to participate in both the Tai Chi and stretching and education
 programs according to their primary care physician.

 -  Willing to complete the 12-week study, including twice-a-week Tai Chi or stretching
 and education sessions

 Exclusion Criteria

 -  Prior experience with Tai Chi or other similar types of Complementary and Alternative
 Medicine in the past 6 months such as Qi gong and yoga since these share some of the
 principles of Tai Chi

 -  Any health condition limiting the ability to participate as determined by a primary
 care physician

 -  Any other diagnosed medical condition that is known to contribute to FM symptomatology
 that is not under adequate control or cannot be expected to remain under adequate
 control for the study period such as thyroid disease, inflammatory arthritis,
 scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis,
 myositis and vasculitis or Sjogren's syndrome

 -  Not English-Speaking

 -  Positive pregnancy test or planning pregnancy within the study period

 -  Inability to pass the Mini-Mental Status examination (score below 24)

 -  Enrollment in any other clinical trial within the last 30 days

 -  Plan to permanently relocate from the region during the trial period