Effects of resistance and Tai Ji training on mobility and symptoms in knee osteoarthritis patients

No studies have compared effectiveness of resistance training and Tai Ji exercise on relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of the study was to evaluate effects of a 10-week Tai Ji and resistance training intervention on improving OA symptoms and mobility in seniors with knee OA. Thirty-one seniors (60–85 years) were randomly assigned to a Tai Ji program (n = 12), a resistance training program (n = 13), and a control group (n = 6). All participants completed the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index and performed three physical performance tests (6-min walk, timed-up-and-go, and timed stair climb and descent) before and after the 10-week intervention. The participants in the resistance training group significantly improved on the timed-up-and-go test (p = 0.001), the WOMAC pain sub-score (p = 0.006), WOMAC stiffness sub-score (p < 0.001), and WOMAC physical function sub-score (p = 0.011). The Tai Ji group significantly improved on the timed-up-and-go test (p < 0.001), but not on the WOMAC scores. Resistance training was effective for improving mobility and improving the symptoms of knee OA. Tai Ji was also effective for improving mobility, but did not improve knee OA symptoms.