OBJECTIVE:To determine the effects of Taijiquan practice on knee proprioception in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).METHODS:We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing Taijiquan with a control condition (wellness education) in patients with knee OA.The patients participated in either a 60-min Taijiquan session three times weekly or a 60-min weekly educational session,for 24 consecutive weeks.The primary outcomes were changes in knee proprioception.Secondary outcomes were changes in the West Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).RESULTS:After 24 weeks,compared with the control group,the Taijiquan group demonstrated better improvements in the joint position sense in knee flexion (left:-2.12°;right:-2.02°),and knee extension (left:-2.22°;right:-1.54°).In addition,the Taijiquan group showed significantly greater improvements in the WOMAC scores (P ＜ 0.05) for knee pain (left:-3.17 points;right:-3.74 points),stiffness (left:-2.43 points;right:-2.13 points),and physical function (left:-10.99 points;right:-8.00 points),compared with the control group.CONCLUSION:A 24-week Taijiquan practice resulted in a significant improvement in knee proprioception in patients with knee OA.The present findings add increasing evidence regarding the clinical benefits of Taijiquan as a therapeutic modality for patients to improve the reflex protection of knee joints against potentially harmful forces.