The ageing process results in a range of debilitating physical and psychological conditions. As a result, older people are increasingly residing in Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities and using wheelchairs to assist in independence and maintenance of their daily activities. The use of wheelchairs to aid mobility has the potential to negatively influence the quality of life (QOL) of such people living in LTC and in particular factors related to QOL, such as psychological well-being (depression and

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... od states) and self-efficacy. In spite of this, there has been limited research on the QOL of older people using wheelchairs for mobility. Most of the studies available focus on the factors influencing QOL and there is a paucity of research that explores the influence of an exercise program on the QOL of older people using wheelchairs. This study, using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) approach, explores the impact of a 26-week seated Simplified Tai Chi exercise program (STEP) (Chen et al., 2006) on QOL, depression, mood states and self-efficacy of Taiwanese older people living in LTC who use wheelchairs. The randomization, STEP seated Tai Chi intervention and RCT design are powerful methods to examine the effect of the seated Tai Chi exercise. A sample of people was recruited, 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. The baseline data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF), Profile of Mood States Short Form (POMS-SF) and Self-efficacy for Exercise Scale (SEE), with follow up measurements collected in weeks 13 and 26.