A randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy of Sign Chi Do exercise on adaptation to aging

Sedentary older adults are at risk of decreased physical function that may lead to loss of independence. In addition, low spirituality is associated with all-cause mortality for older adults. Published research studies have not evaluated the effects of spirituality following a meditative movement intervention such as Sign Chi Do (SCD). The Roy Adaptation Model guided the design of a 12-week intervention that tested the effects of SCD compared with a minimal education control group on physiological and self-concept adaptation. Sixty-seven sedentary, community-dwelling older adults were randomized to the SCD or control group. Final analysis included 49 participants after adjusting for dropouts and incomplete data. Measurement of physiological (Timed Up & Go [TUG], 6-minute walk [6-MW], and metabolic equivalent [MET]-minute/week) and self-concept (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being-12 and Exercise Self-Efficacy) adaptation were completed at baseline (Time 1), 6 (Time 2), and 12 (Time 3) weeks. TUG and MET-minute/week scores improved significantly from Time 1 to Time 3 for the intervention group, and 6-MW at Time 3 showed a significant between-group difference of 271.36 feet. Self-concept measures did not yield significant results. These results indicate that the theoretical factor of Roy's physiological adaptation (balance and physical function) improved in response to the SCD intervention among sedentary older adults.