The meta-analysis found significant reductions in stress, anxiety and depression and enhanced mood. Several studies also showed positive effects on self-esteem, but there was insufficient data to perform a meta-analysis for that outcome. The average age of subjects ranged from 11 to 85 years of age and included both healthy individuals and individuals with chronic conditions. The studies involved a wide range designs and the frequency and duration of tai chi practice varied widely.

The results of this analysis support the long held belief that tai chi is a beneficial mind/body practice, which relives stress and improves well-being, The research is also consistent with other recent research which shows positive psychological effects of exercise. More research will be required to show whether the benefits of tai chi on psychological well-being are equal to or greater than other exercises.

Abstract

The researchers note that tai chi has a number of benefits compared to pharmaceutical intervention. Virtually all pharmaceutical-based interventions include some level of risk of side effects and some patients find them only partially effective and/or may unable to tolerate them. Tai chi does more than alleviate pain or provide symptomatic relief; it benefits health related quality of life. This suggests that tai chi may address the underlying cause of the pain associated with tension headaches, namely stress.

Abstract

]]> http://www.taichiresearch.com/723/study-finds-tai-chi-effective-at-reducing-the-impact-of-tension-headaches/feed/ 1 http://www.taichiresearch.com/708/pilot-study-of-stress-management-via-tai-chi-shows-significant-benefits/ http://www.taichiresearch.com/708/pilot-study-of-stress-management-via-tai-chi-shows-significant-benefits/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2009 17:00:15 +0000 David Bendall http://www.taichiresearch.com/?p=708 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.

Abstract

]]> http://www.taichiresearch.com/708/pilot-study-of-stress-management-via-tai-chi-shows-significant-benefits/feed/ 0 http://www.taichiresearch.com/701/regular-moderate-physical-activity-can-prevent-the-neuroendocrine-and-detrimental-immunological-effects-of-stress/ http://www.taichiresearch.com/701/regular-moderate-physical-activity-can-prevent-the-neuroendocrine-and-detrimental-immunological-effects-of-stress/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2009 16:01:18 +0000 David Bendall http://www.taichiresearch.com/?p=701 Dr. Fleshner of the University of Colorado in Boulder writes in the May 2000 edition of the International Journal of Sports Medicine that “clearly, functional interactions exist between the neuroendocrine system and the immune system that operate during the generation of normal in vivo immune responses” and presents data that supports the hypothesis that regular, moderate, physical activity can prevent the neuroendocrine and detrimental immunological effects of stress.

While this paper does not specifically talk about tai chi, it is relevant to tai chi research since it suggests a mechanism by which tai chi, which is a moderate physical activity, could help reduce the detrimental effects of stress, which is widely reported among people who practice tai chi. Furthermore link between the neuroendocrine system and the immune system suggest that an exercise such as tai chi that promotes relaxation during exercise could be especially beneficial to the immune system.

Abstract