Tele Tai Chi for people aging with mobility disabilities: Novel methodology and structured adaptation approach

Many people aging with mobility disabilities experience barriers engaging in exercise programs and social events in-person and could benefit from virtual programs that make participation more accessible. The Tele Tai Chi clinical trial is assessing the acceptability and effectiveness of an evidence-based in-person Tai Chi program for older adults, Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention (seated version), when adapted to be an online group intervention (via videoconferencing) with moderated social time for individuals aging with mobility disabilities. Specifically, we are examining the intervention efficacy for the target population for increasing physical activity and social connectedness, which are the primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures include exercise self-efficacy, falls efficacy, depression, quality of life, and pain. The participant sample (N = 60) includes community-dwelling adults (60-77 years of age) with a self-identified mobility disability (i.e., using a mobility aid or having serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs) for at least 10 years. Follow-up assessments occurred at the end of the 8-week intervention and 1 month thereafter. This methods-focused paper highlights our novel, user-centered, technology-mediated approach to adapting an in-person intervention for individuals aging with mobility disabilities, which can be used as a roadmap for researchers and practitioners launching similar trials or programs.

NCT04696887.