PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)NCT07662837
Effects of Tai Chi Therapy Versus Qi-Gong in Stage-I Parkinson's Patients.
A study testing Tai Chi and Qi Gong in people with PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder), run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences at 2 sites in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This study has important clinical, academic, and practical relevance in neuromuscular rehabilitation. Clinically, it aims to identify effective and tolerable rehabilitation strategies for individuals with Parkinson's disease by comparing Tai Chi Therapy with Qi-Gong there by supporting evidence-based physiotherapy… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)
- What is being tested?
- Tai Chi and Qi Gong
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesPakistan
- Study dates
- 30 May 2026to 10 Oct 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 50 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of PD based on the Hoehn \& Yahr staging system (Stages I).
- Male or female patients aged between 50-65 years.
- Currently receiving stable anti-Parkinsonian medication, with no changes in the treatment regimen for at least 3 months.
- Basic self-care ability with no severe cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] score ≥24).
Who cannot join
- Depression, as assessed based on a score of >16 for the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II).
- Recent deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment.
- Use of medication that interferes with cognition, alertness, or attention.
- Current participation in an exercise training program.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Salwa Atta contact
Pakistan2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Ghurki Trust and Teaching Hospital
Lahore, Punjab Province
Dr. Mir Shakeel Ahmad
- Recruiting
The Meer's Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Lahore
Salwa Atta, 03084579229, salwa.atta@ubas.edu.pk
About this study
Official title: Effects of Tai Chi Therapy Versus Qi-Gong on Postural Control, Functional Balance , and Motor Function in Stage-I Parkinson's Patients.
This study has important clinical, academic, and practical relevance in neuromuscular rehabilitation. Clinically, it aims to identify effective and tolerable rehabilitation strategies for individuals with Parkinson's disease by comparing Tai Chi Therapy with Qi-Gong there by supporting evidence-based physiotherapy practice and improving patient adherence. Academically, it contributes to the limited literature on comparative effectiveness of these interventions and incorporates patient-centered outcomes such as exercise perception, which are often underreported. From a practical and societal perspective, identifying a more acceptable and effective approach may enhance long-term participation in rehabilitation, potentially slow disease progression, and reduce the overall healthcare burden associated with Parkinson's disease.
Read the detailed description
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. The title of the present study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of Tai Chi Therapy versus Qi-Gong on Postural Control, Functional Balance and Motor Function in individuals with Stage-I with Parkinson's disease. The study design is a randomized controlled trial with participants allocated into two groups. The study duration is expected to span 8 to 12 weeks, allowing sufficient time for neuromuscular adaptations and observable functional improvements while maintaining feasibility and participant compliance. Outcome measures include standardized and validated tools such as the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale for assessing disease severity, the Berge Balance Scale is use for the functional balance and postural control these measures are recorded at baseline and post-intervention to determine the effectiveness of the rehabilitation protocol, providing comprehensive insight into motor Motor Control, Functional Balance and Motor Function in individuals with Stage I Parkinson's disease.
- Conditions
- PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)
- Being tested
- Tai Chi, Qi Gong
- Keywords
- Tai Chi, Qi-Gong
- Medical subject headings
- Parkinson Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Tai ChiOther
Group A will receive 8 weeks of standard conventional physical therapy plus Tai Chi (40 min of Tai Chi and 20 min of conventional physical therapy) total duration of session will be 60 minutes. The most commonly applied Tai Chi style will be Yang style.
Qi GongOther
Group B will receive 8 weeks of standard conventional physical therapy (20 minutes) plus Health Qigong Baduanjin and wuqinxi ( 40 minutes) with total duration of 60 minutes, 2 times a week each pattern for 8 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Tai Chi | Experimental | Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese "moving meditation" that combines slow, gentle movements with deep diaphragmatic breathing and focused attention. It is designed to cultivate inner energy and harmonize mind and body, making it a popular low-impact, therapeutic exercise. Receives: Other: Tai Chi |
| Qi Gong | Experimental | It is a holistic, low-impact mind-body practice that combines slow, flowing movements, deep rhythmic breathing, and focused intention to balance energy flow, improve health, and enhance overall vitality. Receives: Other: Qi Gong |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
It will be used for motor function. UPDRS shows high ICCs like 0.90 for Motor, 0.85 for ADL).A higher score indicates greater motor impairment and disease severity. Total score is 108 across 27 items. It will be used at pre and post intervention.
Measured: 8-12 weeks
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a widely used clinical test with 14 functional tasks (like sitting, standing, reaching, turning) to measure static and dynamic postural control and functional balance, primarily to assess fall risk in older adults and neurological patients (stroke, Parkinson's). It scores tasks from 0 (unable) to 4 (independent) for a total of 56, with lower scores indicating higher fall risk, helping therapists plan interventions. It Shows very high intra-rater (same tester) and inter-rater (different testers) reliability, with Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) often around 0.97-0.99. The Berg Balance Scale have 14-item. Each item is scored on a 0-4 scale, with a total score of 56 points indicating no balance deficit and lower scores correlating with higher fall risk. The patients with the scores between 0-20 have High fall risk (may need wheelchair), 21-40: Medium fall risk (may need cane/walker) and 41-56: Low fall risk (independent mobility).
Measured: 8-12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Jun 2026
- Study start30 May 2026
- Primary completion30 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion10 Oct 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied SciencesThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- The intervention will include two groups with different rehabilitation protocols. Participants will be randomized to either Group A or Group B. Group A will receive 8 weeks of standard conventional physical therapy plus Tai Chi (40 min of Tai Chi and 20 min of conventional physical therapy) total duration of session will be 60 minutes. The most commonly applied Tai Chi style will be used which is Yang style. Group B will receive 8 weeks of standard conventional physical therapy (20 minutes) plus Health Qigong Baduanjin and wuqinxi ( 40 minutes) with total duration of 60 minutes, 2 times a week each pattern for 8 weeks. All groups will receive two 40-45 minute sessions per week for 8 weeks (total 16 sessions). The conventional PT (approx. 20 min) will be standardized across both groups. The same blinded assessor will repeat all outcome measures (Week 8).
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Salwa Atta, Study director, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07662837
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UBAS/ERB/26/4/039
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 26 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Xu F, Soh KG, Chan YM, Bai XR, Qi F, Deng N. Effects of tai chi on postural balance and quality of life among the elderly with gait disorders: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2023 Sep 28;18(9):e0287035. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287035. eCollection 2023.
PubMed 37768953Song R, Grabowska W, Park M, Osypiuk K, Vergara-Diaz GP, Bonato P, Hausdorff JM, Fox M, Sudarsky LR, Macklin E, Wayne PM. The impact of Tai Chi and Qigong mind-body exercises on motor and non-motor function and quality of life in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2017 Aug;41:3-13. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2017.05.019. Epub 2017 May 25.
PubMed 28602515Fidan O, Seyyar GK, Aras B, Colak E, Aras O. The effect of Tai Chi and Qigong on health-related quality of life in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of systematic reviews. Int J Rehabil Res. 2019 Sep;42(3):196-204. doi: 10.1097/MRR.0000000000000358.
PubMed 31116118
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Tai Chi Therapy Versus Qi-Gong on Postural Control, Functional Balance , and Motor Function in Stage-I Parkinson's Patients.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07662837
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UBAS/ERB/26/4/039
- Conditions
- PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)
- Keywords
- Tai Chi, Qi-Gong
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Lahore University of Biological and Applied SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 May 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 10 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study has important clinical, academic, and practical relevance in neuromuscular rehabilitation. Clinically, it aims to identify effective and tolerable rehabilitation strategies for individuals with Parkinson's disease by comparing Tai Chi Therapy with Qi-Gong there by supporting evidence-based physiotherapy practice and improving patient adherence. Academically, it contributes to the limited literature on comparative effectiveness of these interventions and incorporates patient-centered outcomes such as exercise perception, which are often underreported. From a practical and societal perspective, identifying a more acceptable and effective approach may enhance long-term participation in rehabilitation, potentially slow disease progression, and reduce the overall healthcare burden associated with Parkinson's disease.
Detailed description
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. The title of the present study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of Tai Chi Therapy versus Qi-Gong on Postural Control, Functional Balance and Motor Function in individuals with Stage-I with Parkinson's disease. The study design is a randomized controlled trial with participants allocated into two groups. The study duration is expected to span 8 to 12 weeks, allowing sufficient time for neuromuscular adaptations and observable functional improvements while maintaining feasibility and participant compliance. Outcome measures include standardized and validated tools such as the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale for assessing disease severity, the Berge Balance Scale is use for the functional balance and postural control these measures are recorded at baseline and post-intervention to determine the effectiveness of the rehabilitation protocol, providing comprehensive insight into motor Motor Control, Functional Balance and Motor Function in individuals with Stage I Parkinson's disease.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- The intervention will include two groups with different rehabilitation protocols. Participants will be randomized to either Group A or Group B. Group A will receive 8 weeks of standard conventional physical therapy plus Tai Chi (40 min of Tai Chi and 20 min of conventional physical therapy) total duration of session will be 60 minutes. The most commonly applied Tai Chi style will be used which is Yang style. Group B will receive 8 weeks of standard conventional physical therapy (20 minutes) plus Health Qigong Baduanjin and wuqinxi ( 40 minutes) with total duration of 60 minutes, 2 times a week each pattern for 8 weeks. All groups will receive two 40-45 minute sessions per week for 8 weeks (total 16 sessions). The conventional PT (approx. 20 min) will be standardized across both groups. The same blinded assessor will repeat all outcome measures (Week 8).
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Tai Chi | Experimental | Other: Tai ChiTai Chi is a traditional Chinese "moving meditation" that combines slow, gentle movements with deep diaphragmatic breathing and focused attention. It is designed to cultivate inner energy and harmonize mind and body, making it a popular low-impact, therapeutic exercise. |
| Qi Gong | Experimental | Other: Qi GongIt is a holistic, low-impact mind-body practice that combines slow, flowing movements, deep rhythmic breathing, and focused intention to balance energy flow, improve health, and enhance overall vitality. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Diagnosis of PD based on the Hoehn \& Yahr staging system (Stages I).
- Male or female patients aged between 50-65 years.
- Currently receiving stable anti-Parkinsonian medication, with no changes in the treatment regimen for at least 3 months.
- Basic self-care ability with no severe cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] score ≥24).
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Depression, as assessed based on a score of >16 for the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II).
- Recent deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment.
- Use of medication that interferes with cognition, alertness, or attention.
- Current participation in an exercise training program.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Tai ChiGroup A will receive 8 weeks of standard conventional physical therapy plus Tai Chi (40 min of Tai Chi and 20 min of conventional physical therapy) total duration of session will be 60 minutes. The most commonly applied Tai Chi style will be Yang style. | Other | Tai Chi |
| Qi GongGroup B will receive 8 weeks of standard conventional physical therapy (20 minutes) plus Health Qigong Baduanjin and wuqinxi ( 40 minutes) with total duration of 60 minutes, 2 times a week each pattern for 8 weeks. | Other | Qi Gong |
Primary outcome
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
Time frame: 8-12 weeks
It will be used for motor function. UPDRS shows high ICCs like 0.90 for Motor, 0.85 for ADL).A higher score indicates greater motor impairment and disease severity. Total score is 108 across 27 items. It will be used at pre and post intervention.
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
Time frame: 8-12 weeks
The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is a widely used clinical test with 14 functional tasks (like sitting, standing, reaching, turning) to measure static and dynamic postural control and functional balance, primarily to assess fall risk in older adults and neurological patients (stroke, Parkinson's). It scores tasks from 0 (unable) to 4 (independent) for a total of 56, with lower scores indicating higher fall risk, helping therapists plan interventions. It Shows very high intra-rater (same tester) and inter-rater (different testers) reliability, with Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) often around 0.97-0.99. The Berg Balance Scale have 14-item. Each item is scored on a 0-4 scale, with a total score of 56 points indicating no balance deficit and lower scores correlating with higher fall risk. The patients with the scores between 0-20 have High fall risk (may need wheelchair), 21-40: Medium fall risk (may need cane/walker) and 41-56: Low fall risk (independent mobility).
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 Aug 2026.
- Background: PubMed 37768953Xu F, Soh KG, Chan YM, Bai XR, Qi F, Deng N. Effects of tai chi on postural balance and quality of life among the elderly with gait disorders: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2023 Sep 28;18(9):e0287035. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287035. eCollection 2023.
- Background: PubMed 28602515Song R, Grabowska W, Park M, Osypiuk K, Vergara-Diaz GP, Bonato P, Hausdorff JM, Fox M, Sudarsky LR, Macklin E, Wayne PM. The impact of Tai Chi and Qigong mind-body exercises on motor and non-motor function and quality of life in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2017 Aug;41:3-13. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2017.05.019. Epub 2017 May 25.
- Background: PubMed 31116118Fidan O, Seyyar GK, Aras B, Colak E, Aras O. The effect of Tai Chi and Qigong on health-related quality of life in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of systematic reviews. Int J Rehabil Res. 2019 Sep;42(3):196-204. doi: 10.1097/MRR.0000000000000358.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Salwa Atta contact
Salwa Atta study director
Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Tai Chi and Qi Gong in people with PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder), run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences at 2 sites in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Maryam Fayyaz (03374677916, maryamfayyazawan@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (time frame: 8-12 weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07662837, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Aug 2026.