Introduction Cardiac rehabilitation programmes have demonstrated the benefits of exercise for people with atrial fibrillation (AF). Traditional Chinese low to moderate-intensity exercises like Tai Chi and Qi Gong may be suitable for older patients with AF. Exercise increases quality of life, physical functioning, and psychological well-being in older people with cardiovascular diseases, but currently there are no studies among AF patients.

Aim To assess the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of Tai Chi/Qi Gong for patients with AF.

Methods Seventy-three AF patients (mean (SD) age 68.9 (8.1) years, 50 (68.5%) female) were recruited via primary care and the Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA). Patients were randomised to standard AF care alone (control group) or the intervention consisting of 12 weeks online Tai Chi/Qigong exercises, at least once a week, plus standard AF care. Primary outcomes: recruitment and retention rate. Secondary outcomes: health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical functioning assessed at baseline, 6-, and 12-weeks by the Short Form 12-item Questionnaire (SF-12), EuroQol 5-D (EQ-5D-3L), and Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life (AFEQT). A researcher-designed survey assessed participant satisfaction with intervention on completion.

Results Overall recruitment rate was 74/271 (27.3%); significantly higher from the AFA than primary care (76.4% vs. 9.5%; p<0.001; respectively). The overall retention rate was 59/73 (80.8%) with no significant differences between intervention and control groups (28 (75.7%) vs. 31 (86.1%), respectively). No significant difference in HRQoL (assessed by SF-12 and EQ-5D-3L) over time within or between groups. However, a significant increase in the physical functioning domain of the SF-12 was evident in the intervention group from baseline to week 12 (median (IQR) 75.0 (25.0–87.5) to 75.0 (50.0–100.0); p=0.04)). Disease-specific HRQoL (AFEQT) increased significantly in the intervention group from baseline to week 12 (mean (SD) 69.5 (17.9) to 74.4 (18.3), p=0.05). Of the 28 participants completing the intervention, 21 (75.0%) responded to the satisfaction survey. Seventeen (80.9%) participants agreed/strongly agreed that they enjoyed the programme and two-thirds (14/21) would recommend the exercise programme.

Conclusion A 12-week Tai Chi/Qigong exercise programme for patients with AF is feasible for a future RCT based on recruitment and retention rates. The intervention significantly improved AF patients’ HRQoL and physical functioning and patients found the Tai Chi and Qigong exercises enjoyable and acceptable.

Conflict of Interest No Conflict of Interest