psychological improvements were reported which suggested
a need for further exploration.
Ethical approval
This follow-up study was approved by the Ethics Committee
of the School of Healthcare, University of Leeds. The
researchers of the original study had gained permission to
advertise through two voluntary groups, local hospitals,
libraries and community centres. Participants from the previous
study provided written informed consent to take part
in this second study. Their anonymity was assured through
use of pseudonyms and confidential data storage.
Methods
Design
A qualitative study was carried out involving semi-structured,
audio-taped, individual, interviews with 19 participants
(18 females and one male) aged between 30–75,
between six and nine months after taking part in the original
study. Interviews were conducted by a single researcher
(JMWJ) na€ıve to the findings of the original study that
comprised of a 12-week pragmatic nonrandomised before/
after study of Tai Chi (modified for RA) classes carried out
at two venues within the north of England.
Participants
The inclusion criteria for the original study involved being
diagnosed with RA by a rheumatologist, able to walk
indoors without a walking aid, complete the 50-foot walk
test without becoming short of breath, not currently participating
in a physical exercise programme more than twice a
week. In the current study, an introductory letter explaining
the purpose of this new research and requesting interviews
was posted to the 21 participants who had originally taken
part. Telephone contact seeking to arrange interviews was
made a week later. It was not possible to contact two (adult
females) from the original sample group as one person had
moved out of the area and left no contact details and the
other never responded to letters or telephone calls. Thus, 19
(white, British Nationals) agreed to be interviewed.
Procedure
During individual, semi-structured interviews, carried out in
a conversational context at their own homes, participants
were asked two main open questions: (1) how taking part