This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effects of an exergaming-based sitting Tai Chi program on muscle strength, physical function, cognition, and psychosocial outcomes in older adults living in residential care facilities who are at risk of sarcopenia and/or prefrailty. Eligible participants aged 60 years or older will be identified using simple screening criteria for sarcopenia and prefrailty and will not meet full diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia or frailty. A total of 152 participants will be randomly assigned to either an individually supervised exergaming-based sitting Tai Chi intervention or a group-based general health education control, each delivered twice weekly for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is dominant-hand grip strength, a core indicator of sarcopenia-related muscle weakness. Key secondary outcomes include sitting balance and functional reach assessed by the Modified Functional Reach Test, with additional secondary measures of muscle mass, lower-extremity function, activities of daily living, reaction time and health-related quality of life. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. The findings will provide preliminary evidence on whether chair-based exergaming Tai Chi can be integrated into routine residential care to support healthy aging and functional independence.
Age range
60 Years
Sex
ALL
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Maximal handgrip strength
Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0), mid-intervention (Week 6, after 12 sessions), post-intervention (Week 12, after 24 sessions), and 3-month follow-up (Week 24, approximately 12 weeks after the final intervention session).