Augmenting immune responses to varicella zoster virus in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial of Tai Chi.
Title | Augmenting immune responses to varicella zoster virus in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial of Tai Chi. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2007 |
Authors | Irwin MR, Olmstead R, Oxman MN |
Journal | J Am Geriatr Soc |
Volume | 55 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 511-7 |
Date Published | 2007 Apr |
ISSN | 0002-8614 |
Keywords | Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Chickenpox Vaccine, Female, Geriatrics, Herpes Zoster, Herpesvirus 3, Human, Humans, Immunity, Cellular, Male, Middle Aged, Social Support, Tai Ji |
Abstract | OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a behavioral intervention, Tai Chi, on resting and vaccine-stimulated levels of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to varicella zoster virus (VZV) and on health functioning in older adults. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial with allocation to two arms (Tai Chi and health education) for 25 weeks. After 16 weeks of intervention, subjects were vaccinated with VARIVAX, the live attenuated Oka/Merck VZV vaccine licensed to prevent varicella. SETTING: Two urban U.S. communities between 2001 and 2005. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 112 healthy older adults aged 59 to 86. MEASUREMENTS: The primary endpoint was a quantitative measure of VZV-CMI. Secondary outcomes were scores on the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: The Tai Chi group showed higher levels of VZV-CMI than the health education group (P<.05), with a significant rate of increase (P<.001) that was nearly twice that found in the health education group. Tai Chi alone induced an increase in VZV-CMI that was comparable in magnitude with that induced by varicella vaccine, and the two were additive; Tai Chi, together with vaccine, produced a substantially higher level of VZV-CMI than vaccine alone. The Tai Chi group also showed significant improvements in SF-36 scores for physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality, and mental health (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Tai Chi augments resting levels of VZV-specific CMI and boosts VZV-CMI of the varicella vaccine. |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01109.x |
Alternate Journal | J Am Geriatr Soc |
PubMed ID | 17397428 |
Grant List | R01-AG18367 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R21-AT00255 / AT / NCCIH NIH HHS / United States |