AB1262 EFFECTS OF TAI CHI EXERCISE ON PAIN, FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PEOPLE WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS AND INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS
Authors: N. Kalebota, M. Milošević, N. Laktašić Žerjavić, A. Andreić, B. Končar, M. Vedriš, P. Turković, N. Žura, K. Kovač Durmiš, I. Žagar, P. Perić
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2020)

Background: Tai Chi as a type of physical activity (PA) is included in recommendations for PA in people with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and osteoarthritis (OA). 1 Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tai Chi exercise program on pain, functional status and quality of life in people with OA and IA. Methods: A study co-funded by the Erasmus + European Union Program for Sporting Activities called #WushuElixir was conducted in Croatia, Slovenia, Belgium and Spain. We present the results of the research conducted in Croatia from October 2018 to April 2019. A total of 44 participants (Pts) entered the Tai Chi exercise program. Majority of Pts were female with OA (Table 1). Tai Chi exercise program was performed for 60 minutes, twice a week, with a total of 50 training sessions. In data analysis where included only those Pts who completed at least 36% of exercise program, a total of 28 (63.6%) Pts, out of which 24 (85.7%) completed at least 70% of exercise program. An average attendance was 39 (78%) sessions. Outcome measures were: pain (VAS scale), stability and balance (Functional reach test; FRT), chest mobility (breathing index), spinal mobility (cervical and thoracic sagittal indices and Schober’s test), muscle strength (Wall sit test), physical function (Lequesne Index of severity for OA of the hip, and Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) 20-Item for IA) and quality of life (15D© The health-related quality of life instrument; 15D QL). For statistical analysis t-test for paired samples was used with statistical significance set on P&lt;0.05. Table 1. Descriptive statistics of participants N % Gender Male 4 14.3% Female 24 85.7% Age groups ≤45 years 3 10.7% 46-60 years 9 32.1% 61-70 years 11 39.3% ≥71 years 5 17.9% Diagnosis Osteoarthritis of the spine, hip and knee 19 67.9% Inflammatory arthritis 5 17.9% Other 4 14.3% Results: There was significant improvement in breathing index (P&lt;0.001), sagittal mobility of cervical (P&lt;0,001) and thoracic spine (P=0.007), Schober’s test (P&lt;0,001), Wall sit test (P=0.042), 15D QL (P=0.048) and Lequesne index (P=0.030). There were no significant changes in VAS pain level (P=0.651), FRT value (P=0.442) and Stanford HAQ-20 scale result (P=0.186). Conclusion: Tai Chi can improve functional status and quality of life in people with OA and IA. References: [1]Rausch Osthoff AK, Niedermann K, Braun J, et al. 2018 EULAR recommendations for physical activity in people with inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2018;77(9):1251-1260. Acknowledgments: Goran Pažin, Tatjana Božac, Damir Grbac, Kristina Spajić, Ana Karić. Disclosure of Interests: Nataša Kalebota Speakers bureau: Krka, Milan Milošević: None declared, Nadica Laktašić Žerjavić Speakers bureau: Abbvie., Roche, MSD, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Mylan, Amgen, Fresenius Kabi, Antun Andreić: None declared, Biljana Končar: None declared, Mladen Vedriš: None declared, Petar Turković: None declared, Nikolino Žura: None declared, Kristina Kovač Durmiš Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Fresenius Kabi, Iva Žagar Speakers bureau: Abbvie. Roche, MSD, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Porin Perić: None declared