Sarcopenia in ElderlyNCT07826000
Tai Chi Exercise to Improve Physical Capabilities in Elderly With Sarcopenia
A study testing Tai Chi Exercise and Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Exercise in people with Sarcopenia in Elderly, run by Hasanuddin University at 1 site in Indonesia.
Trial summary
This study aims to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi exercise on the physical performance of elderly individuals diagnosed with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, which often leads to decreased physical function, mobility issues, and a higher risk of falls in older… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Sarcopenia in Elderly
- What is being tested?
- Tai Chi Exercise and Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Exercise
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIndonesia
- Study dates
- 24 Jan 2026to 18 Apr 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 60 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 60 years or older
- Meets the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS).
- Willing to participate in the study, capable of understanding the informed consent, and physically able to perform Tai Chi movements.
- Must be a resident of Makassar.
- Has either never participated in Tai Chi, or has previous experience with Tai Chi but stopped practicing for more than 4 weeks (ensuring they are not currently active practitioners).
Who cannot join
- Cognitive impairment, indicated by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 23 or lower.
- Hearing and/or speech impairments that make communication difficult. Presence of severe chronic diseases, such as heart failure, end-stage chronic kidney disease, malignancy, or the use of a pacemaker.
- Presence of edema (fluid retention/swelling).
- Experiencing lower extremity (leg) pain with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of 5 or greater.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Indonesia1 site
GPIB Mount of Olives (Bukit Zaitun Church) Makassar
Makassar, South Sulawesi, 90126
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Tai Chi on Physical Performance in Elderly Patients With Sarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi exercise on the physical performance of elderly individuals diagnosed with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, which often leads to decreased physical function, mobility issues, and a higher risk of falls in older adults. Specifically, the research investigates the impact of an eight-week Tai Chi program on four key functional areas: handgrip strength measured by a dynamometer, balance evaluated through the 5-times Sit-to-Stand (5xSTS) test, mobility measured by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and daily physical activity levels assessed via the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) questionnaire.
The primary question this study seeks to answer is how Tai Chi exercise influences the physical performance of elderly patients with sarcopenia. Furthermore, it aims to determine whether practicing Tai Chi yields significant improvements in their handgrip strength, balance, mobility, and overall activity levels when compared to a control group participating in standard elderly gymnastics.
- Conditions
- Sarcopenia in Elderly
- Being tested
- Tai Chi Exercise, Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Exercise
- Keywords
- sarcopenia, tai chi, physical performance
- Medical subject headings
- Sarcopenia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Tai Chi ExerciseBehavioural
The intervention group served as the experimental arm and participated in a Tai Chi exercise program. Each of their exercise sessions was led by a Tai Chi instructor and lasted for approximately 60 minutes, which consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of core exercises, and a 10-minute cool-down. The participants in this group completed these training sessions three times a week over an eight-week period. After the eight-week period concluded, post-intervention data from both groups were collected and compared to their initial baseline measurements to evaluate which program yielded a more significant improvement in physical performance.
Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) ExerciseBehavioural
The control group was established to compare the effectiveness of Tai Chi against a more conventional physical activity. Participants in this group engaged in a standard elderly gymnastics program (senam lansia). Their sessions were also guided by an instructor but had a shorter duration, lasting for approximately 30 minutes per session. Just like the intervention group, they performed these exercises three times a week for a total of eight weeks. After the eight-week period concluded, post-intervention data from both groups were collected and compared to their initial baseline measurements to evaluate which program yielded a more significant improvement in physical performance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Tai Chi Exercise Group | Experimental | Elderly participants diagnosed with sarcopenia who are randomly assigned to participate in a supervised Tai Chi exercise program. Receives: Behavioral: Tai Chi Exercise |
| Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Group | Active comparator | Elderly participants diagnosed with sarcopenia who are randomly assigned to participate in a standard elderly gymnastics program Receives: Behavioral: Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Handgrip Strength
This outcome measures upper body and global muscle strength using a CAMRY® handgrip dynamometer. Participants perform a maximum isometric contraction using their dominant hand, and the highest value from at least two trials is recorded. A higher value indicates greater muscle strength. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 recommends a diagnostic cutoff for low muscle strength of <28.0 kg for men and <18.0 kg for women
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)
5 Times Sit to Stand (5xSTS) Test
This test assesses lower extremity muscle strength, balance, and postural control. It measures the time (in seconds) required for a participant to rise from a standard armless chair (17 inches high) to a full standing position and sit back down five times consecutively, with arms folded across the chest. A lower time indicates better physical performance and balance, with a normal value considered to be $\le12$ seconds.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
This test measures functional mobility, dynamic balance, and the risk of falling. It evaluates the time (in seconds) it takes for a participant to stand up from a chair, walk a distance of 3 meters at a normal pace, turn around, walk back, and sit down again. A completion time of <12 seconds indicates good mobility, while taking >12 seconds indicates poor mobility and a higher risk of falls.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)
Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) Score
This outcome evaluates the self-reported physical activity levels of the participants over the previous 7 days. The PASE questionnaire calculates a total score based on the frequency, duration, and intensity of activities across three categories: leisure time, household chores, and work-related activities. Scores are categorized into less active (<125) and active (>= 125), with a higher score indicating a more active lifestyle.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Sep 2026
- Study start24 Jan 2026
- Primary completion18 Apr 2026
- Study completion18 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sarcopenia in ElderlyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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 group served as the experimental arm and participated in a Tai Chi exercise program. Each of their exercise sessions was led by a Tai Chi instructor and lasted for approximately 60 minutes, which consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of core exercises, and a 10-minute cool-down. The participants in this group completed these training sessions three times a week over an eight-week period. On the other hand, the control group was established to compare the effectiveness of Tai Chi against a more conventional physical activity. Participants in this group engaged in a standard elderly gymnastics program (senam lansia). Their sessions were also guided by an instructor but had a shorter duration, lasting for approximately 30 minutes per session. Just like the intervention group, they performed these exercises three times a week for a total of eight weeks.
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hasanuddin University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Pande Putu Bagus Mahendra Yasa, Hasanuddin University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07826000
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UH25070524
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 17 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Tai Chi on Physical Performance in Elderly Patients With Sarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07826000
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UH25070524
- Conditions
- Sarcopenia in Elderly
- Keywords
- sarcopenia, tai chi, physical performance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hasanuddin UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 24 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 18 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Sep 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 aims to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi exercise on the physical performance of elderly individuals diagnosed with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, which often leads to decreased physical function, mobility issues, and a higher risk of falls in older adults. Specifically, the research investigates the impact of an eight-week Tai Chi program on four key functional areas: handgrip strength measured by a dynamometer, balance evaluated through the 5-times Sit-to-Stand (5xSTS) test, mobility measured by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and daily physical activity levels assessed via the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) questionnaire.
The primary question this study seeks to answer is how Tai Chi exercise influences the physical performance of elderly patients with sarcopenia. Furthermore, it aims to determine whether practicing Tai Chi yields significant improvements in their handgrip strength, balance, mobility, and overall activity levels when compared to a control group participating in standard elderly gymnastics.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- The intervention group served as the experimental arm and participated in a Tai Chi exercise program. Each of their exercise sessions was led by a Tai Chi instructor and lasted for approximately 60 minutes, which consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of core exercises, and a 10-minute cool-down. The participants in this group completed these training sessions three times a week over an eight-week period. On the other hand, the control group was established to compare the effectiveness of Tai Chi against a more conventional physical activity. Participants in this group engaged in a standard elderly gymnastics program (senam lansia). Their sessions were also guided by an instructor but had a shorter duration, lasting for approximately 30 minutes per session. Just like the intervention group, they performed these exercises three times a week for a total of eight weeks.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Tai Chi Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Tai Chi ExerciseElderly participants diagnosed with sarcopenia who are randomly assigned to participate in a supervised Tai Chi exercise program. |
| Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) ExerciseElderly participants diagnosed with sarcopenia who are randomly assigned to participate in a standard elderly gymnastics program |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Aged 60 years or older
- Meets the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS).
- Willing to participate in the study, capable of understanding the informed consent, and physically able to perform Tai Chi movements.
- Must be a resident of Makassar.
- Has either never participated in Tai Chi, or has previous experience with Tai Chi but stopped practicing for more than 4 weeks (ensuring they are not currently active practitioners).
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Cognitive impairment, indicated by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 23 or lower.
- Hearing and/or speech impairments that make communication difficult. Presence of severe chronic diseases, such as heart failure, end-stage chronic kidney disease, malignancy, or the use of a pacemaker.
- Presence of edema (fluid retention/swelling).
- Experiencing lower extremity (leg) pain with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of 5 or greater.
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 Chi ExerciseThe intervention group served as the experimental arm and participated in a Tai Chi exercise program. Each of their exercise sessions was led by a Tai Chi instructor and lasted for approximately 60 minutes, which consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of core exercises, and a 10-minute cool-down. The participants in this group completed these training sessions three times a week over an eight-week period. After the eight-week period concluded, post-intervention data from both groups were collected and compared to their initial baseline measurements to evaluate which program yielded a more significant improvement in physical performance. | Behavioural | Tai Chi Exercise Group |
| Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) ExerciseThe control group was established to compare the effectiveness of Tai Chi against a more conventional physical activity. Participants in this group engaged in a standard elderly gymnastics program (senam lansia). Their sessions were also guided by an instructor but had a shorter duration, lasting for approximately 30 minutes per session. Just like the intervention group, they performed these exercises three times a week for a total of eight weeks. After the eight-week period concluded, post-intervention data from both groups were collected and compared to their initial baseline measurements to evaluate which program yielded a more significant improvement in physical performance. | Behavioural | Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Group |
Primary outcome
Handgrip Strength
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)
This outcome measures upper body and global muscle strength using a CAMRY® handgrip dynamometer. Participants perform a maximum isometric contraction using their dominant hand, and the highest value from at least two trials is recorded. A higher value indicates greater muscle strength. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 recommends a diagnostic cutoff for low muscle strength of <28.0 kg for men and <18.0 kg for women
5 Times Sit to Stand (5xSTS) Test
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)
This test assesses lower extremity muscle strength, balance, and postural control. It measures the time (in seconds) required for a participant to rise from a standard armless chair (17 inches high) to a full standing position and sit back down five times consecutively, with arms folded across the chest. A lower time indicates better physical performance and balance, with a normal value considered to be $\le12$ seconds.
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)
This test measures functional mobility, dynamic balance, and the risk of falling. It evaluates the time (in seconds) it takes for a participant to stand up from a chair, walk a distance of 3 meters at a normal pace, turn around, walk back, and sit down again. A completion time of <12 seconds indicates good mobility, while taking >12 seconds indicates poor mobility and a higher risk of falls.
Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) Score
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)
This outcome evaluates the self-reported physical activity levels of the participants over the previous 7 days. The PASE questionnaire calculates a total score based on the frequency, duration, and intensity of activities across three categories: leisure time, household chores, and work-related activities. Scores are categorized into less active (<125) and active (>= 125), with a higher score indicating a more active lifestyle.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Sep 2026.
- 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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Tai Chi Exercise and Elderly Gymnastics (Senam Lansia) Exercise in people with Sarcopenia in Elderly, run by Hasanuddin University at 1 site in Indonesia.
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 5 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Indonesia. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Handgrip Strength (time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 17 Sep 2026.