The Miriam Hospital is actively recruiting local participants for a behavioral study of tai chi exercise for patients who had a heart attack and were not able to attend cardiac rehabilitation. The gentle rehab study uses tai chi, a mind-body intervention integrating low to moderate aerobic exercise with deep breathing and relaxation exercises, as an alternative exercise choice for patients who don’t attend CR. In the U.S., the rate of individuals who join and drop out of CR programs before completing them can reach up to 60 percent.

“Research has shown that even modest increases in fitness play a very important role in the prevention of future cardiac events,” said Elena Salmoirago-Blotcher, Ph.D., M.D., a research scientist at the Miriam Hospital Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine who leads the tai chi study, in a release. “But factors ranging from older age and fear or dislike of exercise to lack of transportation, depression, lack of social support and high co-pays can act as barriers to participating in beneficial cardiac rehabilitation programs.”

Salmoirago-Blotcher said, “Tai chi training may overcome multiple barriers to traditional cardiovascular rehabilitation – and prior studies suggest that it improves aerobic capacity even in older sedentary adults and quality of life and mood in heart failure patients – and it’s successful in getting people moving.”

Tai chi involves a series of gentle, low-impact movements. There is no or minimal stress on muscles and joints and a very low risk of physical injury. It can be practiced safely even by elderly and de-conditioned individuals. It may also be more attractive to women in particular, who have been found to dislike the specific exercise training that is offered through CRs. This study is designed to establish the safety, as well as the dose of tai chi exercise needed to increase cardiac fitness and overall physical activity among patients who had a heart attack and were not able to attend CR.

Participating patients will be assigned by chance to either a “PLUS” group (one tai chi session three times weekly for 12 weeks, followed by maintenance classes twice weekly and then every other week for an additional 12 weeks) or a “LITE” group (one tai chi session twice weekly for 12 weeks). Study assessments will be completed at the beginning of the study and again at three, six and nine months after enrollment.

The tai chi classes are held at the Miriam Hospital Cardiac Fitness Center at 208 Collyer Street, Providence. The next cycle of classes will start during the first week of September. Participation in the Miriam Hospital gentle rehab study is free and participants will be compensated for their time. Parking is free and transportation is available at no charge if needed.

For more information on the study, or to find out if you qualify, contact The Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine at 793-8184 or GentleRehab@lifespan.org.