Effects of exercise programme planned in Tai Chi Chuan form on muscular fitness, balance and functional status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of exercise programme planned in Tai Chi Chuan form on chest expansion, muscular fitness, balance, functional status and quality of life in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Method: The 30 patients who were included to the study were divided into two groups with simple random sampling. Group I (n=15) patients were given a supervised Tai Chi group exercises; Group II (n=15) patients were given a standard home exercise programme. Exercises were done two sessions per week for 12 weeks. Chest expansion, muscular flexibility and endurance of trunk and lower extremity, balance were evaluated. It also was used BASMI, BASFI, BASDAI, ASQoL, IPAQ-short form and self-efficacy scales. The assessments were done at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: Baseline demographic characteristics and the results of measuments of the groups were similar and there weren't statistically differences between the groups (p>0.05). After the exercise programme in Grup I patients pain and morning stiffness decreased; chest expansion, muscular flexibility and endurance increased; BASMI, BASFI, BASDAI, quality of life and self-sufficiency scores changed positively and there were significant differences when compared with baseline values (p <0.05). Although changes in the evaluated parameters were observed in the Grup II, there weren't statistically differences (p>0.05). Conclusion: In patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis diagnosed, supervised Tai Chi exercises, done two days a week regularly, was determined to cause positive changes disease-related symptoms such as pain severity and morning stiffness, spinal mobility, balance, functional and quality of life and activity level. Therefore, it was concluded that Tai Chi exercises could be used as an alternative type of exercise according to the other exercise programs in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Key Words: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Exercise, Tai Chi Chuan, Quality of life, Spinal mobility.