Tai Chi for Patients With Essential Hypertension

Tai Chi for Patients With Essential Hypertension: Study Protocol of an Open-label Single-center Randomized Controlled Trial

Several studies investigating Tai Chi for hypertension have been carried out. However, investigators found the results were in high heterogeneity and poor methodological quality. Thus, investigators intend to provide high quality of the effectiveness and safety of Tai Chi for essential hypertension.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. participants aged between 45 to 80 years;
2. participants diagnosed with mild to moderate hypertension, and meet the diagnostic criteria of mild to moderate hypertension according to 2018 Chinese guidelines for the management of hypertension (140≤SBP≤169 and/or 90≤DBP≤109);
3. participants with or without antihypertensive medication;
4. participants with no regular exercise in the past 3 months;
5. participants willing to comply with the study protocol;
6. participants willing to sign informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. participants diagnosed with secondary hypertension or refractory hypertension;
2. participants with severe medical visceral condition and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, epilepsy, severe depression or anxiety, psychosis;
3. participants with severe bone and joint diseases or motor dysfunction limit ability to participant exercise;
4. participants with severe cognitive decline (Mini-Mental State Examination score, ≤ 20)
5. participants with weak muscle, poor balance or limited vision that would impede full participation in the study;
6. patients participate in other clinical trials at the same time.