A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effect of the Home-based Digital-assisted Dyadic Tai Chi (HDTC) Training Program Among Sedentary Individuals With Heart Failure (HF) and Their Caregivers.
The full scale RCT aims to assess the effectiveness of the HDTC training program in improving functional capacity, cardiac function and secondary outcomes among sedentary chronic heart failure (CHF) individuals, while simultaneously reducing care burden and improving other outcomes for their caregivers.
• CHF individuals:
‣ aged 18 to 75 years
⁃ diagnosed with CHF, regardless of the HF phenotype (HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF)
⁃ categorized as NYHA class I, II or III
⁃ 6MWD \>150 meters (mild to moderate HF)
⁃ stable phase of disease in the past four weeks and capable of independently practice Tai Chi without any musculoskeletal disorders that may impede joint movement
⁃ sit more than 8 h/d in the past month
⁃ own a smartphone
⁃ volunteer to participate and provide informed consent.
• caregivers:
‣ age ≥18 years old
⁃ primary caregiver at home, who has emotional ties or social obligations with CHF individuals and provides daily care
⁃ able to exercise Tai Chi without help
⁃ volunteer to participate and provide informed consent.