The Influence of Tai Chi Practice on Blood Pressure and Brain Health Among Older Adults With Hypertension (ACTION)

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Hypertension, Cognitive Decline

In brief

High blood pressure and poor cognitive function are two common health problems among older adults in the United States. They are also closely related because high blood pressure may lead to negative changes in brain structure and function such as poor brain blood flow that can cause poor cognitive function. Executive function is one type of cognitive function that let people plan and perform difficult tasks. It is commonly damaged by high blood pressure. It is also very important for older adults because they need good executive function to live on their own. Tai Chi is a good exercise option for older adults because it is safe, fun, and social. Research studies show that Tai Chi can reduce blood pressure and improve cognitive function, especially executive function. However, researchers do know if these heart and brain health benefits of Tai Chi are connected. In the ACTION study, researchers will first measure how a single session of Tai Chi followed by a 12-week online Tai Chi program with easy movements changes blood pressure and cognitive function, focusing on executive function. Then, researchers will test if these changes in heart and brain health are connected, and if they are connected through the changes in brain structure and function. Both the single session and 12-week online Tai Chi program will be practiced by a group of older adults with high blood pressure and normal cognitive function. They will be new to Tai Chi and not exercising regularly. The hypotheses of the ACTION study are that practicing Tai Chi is good for the heart and brain of older adults with high blood pressure. Specifically, relaxing Tai Chi with gentle movements will reduce blood pressure, and thereby improve cognitive function, particularly executive function.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT04384263
Run by: University of Connecticut
People needed: 19
Starts: 2021-06-01
Expected to finish: 2025-11-30
Last updated by the study team: 2026-05-26

Who can join

Age: 55 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

All participants will have established hypertension evidenced by awake ambulatory systolic blood pressure (ASBP)≥130 mmHg or awake ambulatory diastolic blood pressure (ADBP)≥80 or taking antihypertensive medication regardless of the awake ASBP and awake ADBP values. In addition, participants will have blood pressure (BP) within the safe range to exercise evidenced by awake ASBP<145 mmHg and awake ADBP<90 regardless of the use of BP medications.
For women only, participants need to be postmenopausal evidenced by having experienced >6 consecutive months without menstruation. This is because menstruation could potentially influence BP.
Participants will be free of Tai Chi practice in the past 12 months
Participants will, at least, have graduated from high school or have obtained GED.
Participants will have intact cognitive function evidenced by scoring 25 or higher on the Mini Mental State Examination.
Participants will be physically inactive as did not exercise for 30 min or more per day at moderate intensity on 3 or more days per week in the past 12 weeks. Subjects will not have physically demanding occupations.
Participants will consume <2 alcoholic drinks daily because the effects of alcohol may obscure the BP response to exercise.
Participants will be non-smokers for at least 6 months prior to entry because the effects of tobacco may obscure the BP response to exercise.
Participants need to have sufficient access to internet and electronic equipment (e.g., laptop, desktop, tablet) to participate in virtual research visits and live online Tai Chi sessions, and email study personnel.

You may not qualify if…

Participants will have no contradictions to fully participate in ACTION. They will be excluded if they have: 1) signs or symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic disease; 2) psychiatric and neurological disorders such as general anxiety and depression; 3) body mass index <18.5 kg.m\^-2 or >35 Kg·m\^-2) orthopedic problems likely to restrict Tai Chi exercise in standing position; 5) contradictions to MRI scans to the brain.
If the participants has been diagnosed with chronic diseases that require medical clearance to exercise that include cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic disease, the PI and the study medical director will review the participants's medical history and determine if it is safe for him or her to participate in ACTION. If determined unsafe to exercise, the participant will be excluded.
For participants who have been diagnosed with cancer, only those who have had cancer under remission for 6 months or longer will be considered for inclusion. Otherwise, the participant will be excluded.
Cancer survivors will be excluded if they: 1) had lung, abdominal surgery, or ostomy within the past 6 months; 2) are currently experiencing ataxia, extreme fatigue, severe nutritional deficiencies, worsening/changing physical condition (i.e., lymphedema exacerbation), bone metastases. For other cancer survivors, the PI and the study medical director will review the participant's medical history and determine if it is safe for him or her to participate in ACTION. If determined unsafe to exercise, the participant will be excluded.
Participants who have extensive experience with Tai Chi, defined as have practiced Tai Chi for ≥2 sessions/week for ≥3 months continuously, will be excluded.
Participants who have physically demanding occupations will be excluded.
Participants acknowledging illicit drug use within the past 5 years will not be recruited.
Participants taking any medications, except for corticosteroids and hypnotics, should: 1) have been taking the medications for ≥3 months prior to entry; and 2) maintain their routine of taking the medications throughout the study when possible. Otherwise, the participant will be excluded.
Participants who take corticosteroids and hypnotics as needed will not be recruited because these medications could potentially influence BP and brain blood flow and function.
Participants taking any nutritional supplements other than a 1-a-day vitamin, cold medications, and herbal supplements would be asked to discontinue these medications before entering the study or be excluded.
Changes in diet and weight have the potential to obscure and/or augment the influence of our Tai Chi intervention on BP. Participants will be excluded if they are seeking to gain or lose weight or had a weight change of >5 lb in the past 3 months. Investigators will also not recruit subjects unwilling to maintain their habitual diet throughout study participation.

Where it is running

University of Connecticut — Storrs, Connecticut, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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