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Cervical MyelopathyNCT06876012

Impact of Tai Chi in Cervical Myelopathy

A study testing Tai Chi Program in people with Cervical Myelopathy and Balance Assessment, run by West Virginia University.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this observational study is to determine if patients with cervical myelopathy who participate in a Tai Chi program will demonstrate improved gait and balance compared to patients who undergo usual care. Participants must be 18 years or older and have a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Cervical Myelopathy, Balance Assessment, Fall Risk
What is being tested?
Tai Chi Program
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
20 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
Dec 2026to Jul 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Diagnosis of Cervical Myelopathy with planned surgery
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Able to participate in intervention (attend and participate in classes)

Who cannot join

  • Wheelchair bound at initial visit
  • Other verified potential cause of gait instability/balance problems
  • Unable to participate in intervention (unable to attend/participate in classes)

Trial locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Jennifer Eicher, BS, CCRP contact

304-293-2485

jeicher@hsc.wvu.edu

About this study

Official title: Impact of Tai Chi on Balance and Fall Risk in Patients With Cervical Myelopathy

The goal of this observational study is to determine if patients with cervical myelopathy who participate in a Tai Chi program will demonstrate improved gait and balance compared to patients who undergo usual care.

Participants must be 18 years or older and have a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy.

Read the detailed description

Patients who meet inclusion criteria and choose to participate will be randomized to either participate in a Tai Chi falls-prevention program or continue with usual care. Those in the Tai Chi program will attend a pre-determined number of Tai Chi classes for a period of approximately 6-8 weeks. Investigators will assess their gait and balance at the time of enrollment and at several timepoints after they have participated in the class (similar timepoints for those randomized to usual care).

Being tested
Tai Chi Program
Keywords
Surgery

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Tai Chi ProgramOther

    Twelve sessions (six weeks) of a Tai Chi Program to assist with balance and fall risk.

Study groups in NCT06876012
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Standard of Care (Control)No interventionSubjects will follow the current standard of care procedures utilized by the WVU Spine Center.
Intervention Group (Tai Chi)ExperimentalThese subjects will participate in 12 sessions of Tai Chi class over the course of 6 weeks.
Receives: Other: Tai Chi Program

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Timed Up and Go Test - Baseline

    Establish a baseline score. The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) assesses mobility, balance, walking ability, and fall risk in older adults.

    Setup: The person sits in a standard armchair. Instructions: On the command "Go," the person stands up, walks 3 meters (about 10 feet) at a comfortable pace, turns around, walks back to the chair, and sits down.

    Timing: The time taken from the command "Go" until the person sits back down is recorded. This is recorded in minutes:seconds.

    Scoring Normal Mobility: Completing the test in less than 10 seconds. Mild Mobility Impairment: Completing the test in 10-19 seconds. Moderate Mobility Impairment: Completing the test in 20-29 seconds. Severe Mobility Impairment: Taking 30 seconds or more to complete the test. A time of 12 seconds or more indicates a higher risk of falling.

    Measured: Baseline

  2. Timed Up and Go Test - 6 weeks

    The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) assesses mobility, balance, walking ability, and fall risk in older adults. This is recorded in minutes:seconds.

    Setup: The person sits in a standard armchair. Instructions: On the command "Go," the person stands up, walks 3 meters (about 10 feet) at a comfortable pace, turns around, walks back to the chair, and sits down.

    Timing: The time taken from the command "Go" until the person sits back down is recorded. This is recorded in minutes:seconds.

    Scoring Normal Mobility: Completing the test in less than 10 seconds. Mild Mobility Impairment: Completing the test in 10-19 seconds. Moderate Mobility Impairment: Completing the test in 20-29 seconds. Severe Mobility Impairment: Taking 30 seconds or more to complete the test. A time of 12 seconds or more indicates a higher risk of falling.

    Measured: 6 weeks post-operatively

  3. Timed Up and Go Test - 3 months

    The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) assesses mobility, balance, walking ability, and fall risk in older adults. This is recorded in minutes:seconds.

    Setup: The person sits in a standard armchair. Instructions: On the command "Go," the person stands up, walks 3 meters (about 10 feet) at a comfortable pace, turns around, walks back to the chair, and sits down.

    Timing: The time taken from the command "Go" until the person sits back down is recorded. This is recorded in minutes:seconds.

    Scoring Normal Mobility: Completing the test in less than 10 seconds. Mild Mobility Impairment: Completing the test in 10-19 seconds. Moderate Mobility Impairment: Completing the test in 20-29 seconds. Severe Mobility Impairment: Taking 30 seconds or more to complete the test. A time of 12 seconds or more indicates a higher risk of falling.

    Measured: 3 months post-operatively

  4. Timed Up and Go Test - 6 months

    The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) assesses mobility, balance, walking ability, and fall risk in older adults. This is recorded in minutes:seconds.

    Setup: The person sits in a standard armchair. Instructions: On the command "Go," the person stands up, walks 3 meters (about 10 feet) at a comfortable pace, turns around, walks back to the chair, and sits down.

    Timing: The time taken from the command "Go" until the person sits back down is recorded. This is recorded in minutes:seconds.

    Scoring Normal Mobility: Completing the test in less than 10 seconds. Mild Mobility Impairment: Completing the test in 10-19 seconds. Moderate Mobility Impairment: Completing the test in 20-29 seconds. Severe Mobility Impairment: Taking 30 seconds or more to complete the test. A time of 12 seconds or more indicates a higher risk of falling.

    Measured: 6 months post-operatively

  5. Timed Up and Go Test - 12 months

    The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) assesses mobility, balance, walking ability, and fall risk in older adults. This is recorded in minutes:seconds.

    Setup: The person sits in a standard armchair. Instructions: On the command "Go," the person stands up, walks 3 meters (about 10 feet) at a comfortable pace, turns around, walks back to the chair, and sits down.

    Timing: The time taken from the command "Go" until the person sits back down is recorded. This is recorded in minutes:seconds.

    Scoring Normal Mobility: Completing the test in less than 10 seconds. Mild Mobility Impairment: Completing the test in 10-19 seconds. Moderate Mobility Impairment: Completing the test in 20-29 seconds. Severe Mobility Impairment: Taking 30 seconds or more to complete the test. A time of 12 seconds or more indicates a higher risk of falling.

    Measured: 12 months post-operatively

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. 10-Step Tandem Gait Test - Baseline

    Establish a baseline score. The 10-Step Tandem Gait Test asks participants to walk a straight line making a toe-to-heal touch with each step at the subject's own velocity. The number of steps made before the first misstep is counted. After first 10-step tandem gait test, the subject turns around and repeats the tandem gait test in the same line and the number of steps is counted in the same manner. This is a graded score from 0-4. The higher grade demonstrates better gait.

    Scoring Grade 4: Completes all 10 steps without any instability. Grade 3: Completes 8-9 steps with minimal instability. Grade 2: Completes 6-7 steps with moderate instability. Grade 1: Completes 4-5 steps with significant instability. Grade 0: Completes fewer than 4 steps or is unable to perform the test due to severe instability.

    Measured: Baseline

  2. 10-Step Tandem Gait Test - 6 weeks

    The 10-Step Tandem Gait Test asks participants to walk a straight line making a toe-to-heal touch with each step at the subject's own velocity. The number of steps made before the first misstep is counted. After first 10-step tandem gait test, the subject turns around and repeats the tandem gait test in the same line and the number of steps is counted in the same manner. This is a graded score from 0-4. The higher grade demonstrates better gait.

    Scoring Grade 4: Completes all 10 steps without any instability. Grade 3: Completes 8-9 steps with minimal instability. Grade 2: Completes 6-7 steps with moderate instability. Grade 1: Completes 4-5 steps with significant instability. Grade 0: Completes fewer than 4 steps or is unable to perform the test due to severe instability.

    Measured: 6 weeks post-operatively

  3. 10-Step Tandem Gait Test - 3 months

    The 10-Step Tandem Gait Test asks participants to walk a straight line making a toe-to-heal touch with each step at the subject's own velocity. The number of steps made before the first misstep is counted. After first 10-step tandem gait test, the subject turns around and repeats the tandem gait test in the same line and the number of steps is counted in the same manner. This is a graded score from 0-4. The higher grade demonstrates better gait.

    Scoring Grade 4: Completes all 10 steps without any instability. Grade 3: Completes 8-9 steps with minimal instability. Grade 2: Completes 6-7 steps with moderate instability. Grade 1: Completes 4-5 steps with significant instability. Grade 0: Completes fewer than 4 steps or is unable to perform the test due to severe instability.

    Measured: 3 months post-operatively

  4. 10-Step Tandem Gait Test - 6 months

    The 10-Step Tandem Gait Test asks participants to walk a straight line making a toe-to-heal touch with each step at the subject's own velocity. The number of steps made before the first misstep is counted. After first 10-step tandem gait test, the subject turns around and repeats the tandem gait test in the same line and the number of steps is counted in the same manner. This is a graded score from 0-4. The higher grade demonstrates better gait.

    Scoring Grade 4: Completes all 10 steps without any instability. Grade 3: Completes 8-9 steps with minimal instability. Grade 2: Completes 6-7 steps with moderate instability. Grade 1: Completes 4-5 steps with significant instability. Grade 0: Completes fewer than 4 steps or is unable to perform the test due to severe instability.

    Measured: 6 months post-operatively

  5. 10-Step Tandem Gait Test - 12 Month

    The 10-Step Tandem Gait Test asks participants to walk a straight line making a toe-to-heal touch with each step at the subject's own velocity. The number of steps made before the first misstep is counted. After first 10-step tandem gait test, the subject turns around and repeats the tandem gait test in the same line and the number of steps is counted in the same manner. This is a graded score from 0-4. The higher grade demonstrates better gait.

    Scoring Grade 4: Completes all 10 steps without any instability. Grade 3: Completes 8-9 steps with minimal instability. Grade 2: Completes 6-7 steps with moderate instability. Grade 1: Completes 4-5 steps with significant instability. Grade 0: Completes fewer than 4 steps or is unable to perform the test due to severe instability.

    Measured: 12 months post-operatively

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted14 Mar 2025
  2. Study startDec 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionDec 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionJul 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
20 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06876012
Sponsor's protocol ID
2409042637
Status last verified
Apr 2026
First submitted
12 Mar 2025
Last updated
15 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Chen Y, Wan A, Mao M, Sun W, Song Q, Mao D. Tai Chi practice enables prefrontal cortex bilateral activation and gait performance prioritization during dual-task negotiating obstacle in older adults. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022 Nov 18;14:1000427. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1000427. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 36466597
  • Zu Y, Luo L, Chen X, Xie H, Yang CR, Qi Y, Niu W. Characteristics of corticomuscular coupling during wheelchair Tai Chi in patients with spinal cord injury. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2023 Jun 17;20(1):79. doi: 10.1186/s12984-023-01203-x.

    PubMed 37330516
  • Tsang WW, Gao KL, Chan KM, Purves S, Macfarlane DJ, Fong SS. Sitting tai chi improves the balance control and muscle strength of community-dwelling persons with spinal cord injuries: a pilot study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:523852. doi: 10.1155/2015/523852. Epub 2015 Jan 21.

    PubMed 25688276
  • Qi Y, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Xie H, Shen X, Niu W, Wang Y. The effect of wheelchair Tai Chi on balance control and quality of life among survivors of spinal cord injuries: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 Nov;33:7-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.07.004. Epub 2018 Jul 20.

    PubMed 30396629
  • Chen W, Li M, Li H, Lin Y, Feng Z. Tai Chi for fall prevention and balance improvement in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Public Health. 2023 Sep 1;11:1236050. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1236050. eCollection 2023.

    PubMed 37736087
  • Voukelatos A, Cumming RG, Lord SR, Rissel C. A randomized, controlled trial of tai chi for the prevention of falls: the Central Sydney tai chi trial. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007 Aug;55(8):1185-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01244.x.

    PubMed 17661956

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Tai Chi Program in people with Cervical Myelopathy and Balance Assessment, run by West Virginia University.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Jennifer Eicher, BS, CCRP (304-293-2485, jeicher@hsc.wvu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Timed Up and Go Test - Baseline (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06876012, which also lists 6 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Apr 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.

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