Shingles: Immune Effects of Tai Chi

Completed · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Aging, Herpes Zoster

In brief

The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi Chih versus Health Education on shingles immunity in older adults as measured by unstimulated and vaccine-stimulated responses. The secondary goal of the study is to determine the effects of Tai Chi Chih versus Health Education on measures of health functioning, depressive symptoms, and health behaviors in the elderly.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT00118885
Run by: National Institute on Aging (NIA)
People needed: 140
Starts: 2001-07-01
Expected to finish: 2004-12-01
Last updated by the study team: 2009-12-11

Who can join

Age: 60 and older, up to 90. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Older than 60 years of age at time of entry
History of varicella or long term (>30 years) residence in the continental USA
Accessible geographically

You may not qualify if…

Immunosuppression resulting from neoplastic disease, corticosteroids or other therapy
Significant underlying illness that would be expected to prevent completion of the study; any other condition (e.g. extensive psoriasis, chronic pain syndrome, cognitive impairment, severe hearing loss) that in the opinion of the investigator might interfere with the required evaluations
Not ambulatory (bed-ridden)
Prior HZ or prior receipt of varicella vaccine
Allergic sensitivity to neomycin
Receipt of immune globulin or other blood product within 3 months before the study period
Receipt of other immunizations (e.g., hepatitis B vaccine) within 1 month of immunization
Women who are not post-menopausal
Acutely depressed or a suicidal risk
Unable to commit to intervention schedule
No history of varicella or varicella vaccination or no evidence of VZV immunity
Contact with immunosuppressed individuals or pregnant women who do not have a history of chickenpox
Active infections such as tuberculosis

Where it is running

Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute — Los Angeles, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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