Seated tai chi for older people in residential aged care facilities

ISRCTN	ISRCTN83246327
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN83246327
Sponsor	University of Malaya
Funder	Universiti Malaya

Submission date: 15/09/2026
Registration date: 17/09/2026
Last edited: 17/09/2026

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Other

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Nant Thin Thin Hmwe
Principal investigator, Scientific, Public

Faculty of Nursing, Universiti Malaya
Kuala Lumpur
50603
Malaysia

ORCID ID	0000-0002-7290-5330
Phone	+60379493749
Email	nantthinthin.h@um.edu.my

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Allocation	Non-randomized controlled trial
Masking	Open (masking not used)
Control	Active
Assignment	Parallel
Purpose	Supportive care
Scientific title	The effects of seated tai chi exercise on psychological wellbeing and quality of life among older people in residential aged care facilities
Study objectives
Ethics approval(s)	Approved 26/02/2025, Universiti Malaya Research Ethics Committee (UMREC) (Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia; +603-79677022 2369; umrec@um.edu.my), ref: UM.TNC2/UMREC_4244
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Older people living in residential aged care facilities
Intervention	16-form Yang style seated Tai Chi; 3 times per week, total 12 weeks. The participants were recruited from four aged care facilities (ACFs), with two ACFs allocated to the intervention group, and the other two to the control group. Allocation of ACFs to either the intervention or control group was based on logistical feasibility, including factors such as the availability of suitable space for the seated Tai Chi programme and scheduling flexibility. Intervention group with Seated Tai Chi intervention: The study participants in the intervention clusters took part in seated Tai Chi sessions three times a week for 12 weeks. Each session lasted for 40 minutes: Warm-up for 5 minutes, 16-form Tai Chi movements for 30 minutes, and Cool-down for 5 minutes. All seated Tai Chi sessions are led by a Tai Chi master and guided by certified Tai Chi instructors. Control group with routine care: Participants in the control cluster received routine daily care as well as personalised care based on their individual needs. The care provided to the control cluster was identical to that provided to the intervention cluster, except that the control cluster did not receive the seated Tai Chi program. Participants in both clusters continued their routine activities as scheduled in their respective ACFs. The researchers did not restrict residents’ usual daily routines, which include regular seated physical activities led by caregivers or guided by instructional exercise videos such as seated ball game and seated marching or tapping movements.
Intervention type	Behavioural
Primary outcome measure(s)	Psychological status and quality of life measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument–Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) at baseline (T0), post-intervention after 12-week of seated tai chi (T1), and 4-week follow up (T2)
Key secondary outcome measure(s)
Completion date	31/01/2026

Eligibility

Participant type(s)
Age group	Mixed
Lower age limit	60 Years
Upper age limit	90 Years
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	68
Total final enrolment	41
Key inclusion criteria	1. Aged ≥60 and above 2. Having stable health conditions 3. Being residents of the selected ACFs 4. Able to sit on a chair for at least 40 minutes 5. Able to communicate with researcher in response to questionnaires 6. Consented to participate in the study
Key exclusion criteria	1. Severe cognitive impairment (Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) score < 4) 2. Visual impairment affecting the ability to follow instructions 3. Acute pain 4. Musculoskeletal or neurological disorder that may interfere with participation in seated tai chi
Date of first enrolment	02/05/2025
Date of final enrolment	06/09/2025

Locations

Countries of recruitment

Malaysia

Study participating centres

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No

Editorial Notes

15/09/2026: Study’s existence confirmed by the Universiti Malaya Research Ethics Committee (UMREC), Malaysia.