CLINICAL TRIAL: TAI CHI MIND-BODY THERAPY FOR CHRONIC HEART FAILURE

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This study will investigate whether Tai Chi, a form of meditative low-impact exercise, is beneficial as an adjunctive treatment for patients with chronic heart failure (HF). This study will determine the potential benefit of a tailored 12-week Tai Chi exercise program on functional capacity and health related quality of life in patients with chronic HF. The mechanisms (physiologic and metabolic pathways and behavioral/psychosocial indices) underlying any beneficial effect of Tai Chi will be explored. If such benefits are demonstrated, Tai Chi could represent a new adjunctive therapy for cardiac patients, which is not currently part of standard care. This study may also lay the foundation for future studies of Tai Chi in other chronically ill patients.