Pilot study of stress management via tai chi shows significant benefits.
March 15, 2009 by David Bendall · Leave a Comment
Researchers at the Coburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany conducted an 18-week pilot study to investigate the clinical effects of tai chi in young adults related to stress management. The researchers measured physiological indicators of stress, blood pressure, heart rate and saliva cortisol and psychological measures including the SF-36 health survey and perceived stress. The study was non-randomized and there was no control group. Of the 21 individuals who enrolled in the study only 9 completed all measurements. Even so there were reductions in saliva cortisol, an indicator of general stress reduction. There was also a highly significant decrease in perceived mental stress as well as several significant improvements in measures from the SF-36 health survey including general health perception, social functioning, vitality and mental health/psychological well-being. The study found that subjective health increased and stress decreased during tai chi. Future studies with more rigorous methodology will be needed to confirm these observations.
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