Tai Chi Research

Tai chi augments pharmaceutical treatment of depression in seniors.

David Bendall — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 19:06:10 +0000

Nearly two-thirds of seniors treated for depression fail to achieve remission with pharmaceutical treatment. Researchers at at the University of California Los Angeles carried out a study to see if tai chi could help achieve improved results when used as a complimentary treatment to escitalopram (brand name Lexipro). 112 patients with major depression at least 60 years old were treated with escitalopram for 4 weeks. Of these 72 partial responders all of whom continued to take escitalopram were divided at random into two groups with one group taking tai chi classes twice a week for 10 weeks and the other receiving the same amount of health education.

Compared to the health education and escitalopram group, the tai chi and escitalopram group showed a greater reduction in depressive symptoms, improved physical functioning, improved scores on cognitive tests and a decline in inflammatory markers.

This study supports the view that tai chi can help seniors with depression achieve improved clinical outcomes related to depression. As other studies have shown that tai chi can also reduce the risk of falls among seniors the use of tai chi as a complementary therapy for seniors with geriatric depression is especially compelling.

Abstract

Tai Chi improves psychological well-being

David Bendall — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 19:34:55 +0000

Researchers at Tufts Medical Center in Boston performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of tai chi on psychological well-being. They reviewed the effects of tai chi on stress, anxiety, depression, mood disturbance and self-esteem. Forty studies with involving 3817 subjects met the researcher’s inclusion criteria.

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

Tai Chi reduces Fear of Falling among the Elderly

David Bendall — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 17:15:42 +0000

Fear of falling is major health problem among elderly adults. Researchers at Chang-Gung University in Taiwan studied the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral strategies with and without tai chi in reducing the fear of falling.

Participants were randomly assigned to a control group, a cognitive-behavioral group without tai chi or a cognitive-behavioral group with tai chi. Participants in the tai chi group had significant improvements in fear of falling, mobility, social support behavior and satisfaction and quality of life five months after the intervention compared to the cognitive behavior along and control groups.

Abstract

Fear of falling has been shown to be linked to future risk of falls regardless of actual risk levels and can lead to social isolation and decreased quality of life. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that tai chi is an effective intervention for fall prevention.

Reference

Tai chi benefits cognitive function in seniors at risk of cognitive decline

David Bendall — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 20:41:14 +0000

Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong designed a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of tai chi on cognitive function among elderly individuals at risk of cognitive decline. 171 individuals were assigned to the tai chi group and 218 were assigned to a stretching and toning exercise control. Both groups participated in exercise sessions 3 times per week for one year.

An interim analysis found that two months post intervention both groups showed signs in improved cognitive function. The tai chi group had a statistically significant improvement in the clinical dementia rating. Of the individuals in the control group 21 progressed to dementia compared to only 3 in the tai chi group. The results suggest that tai chi may offer specific benefits to cognition.

Abstract

Study shows improvements in metabolic and psychological variables among adults with elevated blood glucose.

David Bendall — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:43:00 +0000

Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia conducted a preliminary study to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and effects of tai chi in adults age 42 to 65 with elevated blood glucose . 11 individuals participated by attending tai chi and qigong training at least 1 hour of tai chi 3 times per week for 12 weeks. There was good adherence and high acceptability. There were significant improvements in four of the seven indicators of metabolic syndrome measured including BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as HbA1c, insulin resistance, stress, depressive symptoms, and the SF36 mental health summary score as well as the SF-36 general health, mental health and vitality subscores.

Abstract

Study finds tai chi reduces bone loss in breast cancer survivors.

David Bendall — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:02:27 +0000

Treatments for breast cancer can accelerate bone loss leading to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fracture. Researchers at Rochester Medical Center carried out a pilot study to investigate if tai chi could reduce bone loss compared to standard exercise support therapy. The researchers found that biomarkers of bone formation increased more in the tai chi group than in the standard therapy group, while biomarkers of bone resorption decrease more in the tai chi group than in the standard therapy group. These findings suggest that tai chi has a positive effect on bone loss.

Note: Since other studies have found that tai chi can reduce the risk of falls the positive effects on bone loss found in this study are likely to result in a greater decrease in risk of fractures than would result from decreased falls or increased bone density alone.

Abstract

Study finds tai chi to be a beneficial adjunct to cardiac rehabilitation.

David Bendall — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:28:52 +0000

Researchers at the University of Arizona Tucson compared tai chi plus cardiac rehabilitation to cardiac rehabilitation alone among 51 subjects age 45 plus who had attended cardiac rehabilitation for an average of 45 months. The subjects who attended tai chi classes plus cardiac rehabilitation had better balance and perceived physical health than those attending cardiac rehabilitation alone.

Abstract

Systematic review finds Tai Chi reduces pain in adults with lower limb osteoarthritis

David Bendall — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:52:03 +0000

A systematic review of studies investigating the influence of exercise programs on pain among adults with knee and hip osteoarthritis found that exercise programs based on tai chi had better results than mixed exercise programs, but without clear differences. The authors were able to retrieve 33 studies on the influence of different exercise programs on pain. While more research will be needed to clarify differences between exercise programs, it is interesting to note that tai chi stood out among the various programs which also included strength training aerobic programs, hydrotherapy and mixed exercise programs.

The investigators noted that despite exercise recommendations that exercise programs be used as pain therapy in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis, few randomized studies have been done and that the structure of the exercise programs investigated were very heterogeneous.

Abstract

Tai chi found to have a positive effect on blood Adiponectin in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors.

David Bendall — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 16:30:29 +0000

Researchers at Chia-Yi Christian Hospital in Taiwan found that a single bout of tai chi has a significant positive effect on blood adiponectin, a hormone what modulates a number of metabolic processes including glucose regulation and plays a role in the suppression of the metabolic derangements that may result in type 2 diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and which are independent risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Adiponectin levels can also effect weight loss.

About Adiponectin

The study was based on 26 individuals with an average age of 60 who had at least one cardiovascular risk factor and who had practiced Yang style tai chi for an average of two years but at least three months. The study consisted of a single group with the exercise session compared to a resting while seated session separated by one week. Blood samples were collected before and after a 60 minute tai chi practice and before and after sitting for 60 minutes. The researchers found that after a single bout of tai chi practice there was a significant positive effect on blood adiponectin concentrations. The authors suggest that a mechanism for the observed increase in adiponectin after tai chi could be due to a decrease in sympathetic nervous system activity and/or enhanced vagal modulation.

Abstract

While this study focused on a single bout of tai chi, another recent study found that a 12 week tai chi program showed several beneficial changes on several indicators of metabolic syndrome including BMI and insulin resistance.

See: A preliminary study of the effects of Tai Chi and Qigong medical exercise on indicators of metabolic syndrome, glycaemic control, health-related quality of life, and psychological health in adults with elevated blood glucose.

The findings are particularly significant as many other studies of a single bout of exercise have failed to find a significant positive effect on adiponectin and some have shown a decrease in levels. Of seven studies of identified in The Effects of Exercise on Adiponectin: A Systematic Review published in the journal Obesity in 2008, only two studies found a positive effect of acute exercise on blood adiponectin. One of the studies that showed a positive effect involved seven trained runners after ½ an hour of running. The other study with a positive effect was among 10 elite rowers. Another study of rowers by the same authors found a positive effect only among the rowers who went on to be selected for the national team while significant reductions in adiponectin levels were observed in the athletes who were not selected for the team. There were four trials involving cycling, three of which had non-statistically significant findings and one of which found a significant reduction in blood adiponectin levels.

Tai chi benefits Fibromyalgia patients

David Bendall — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 17:24:02 +0000

Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston MA conducted a randomized trial to compare tai chi to a wellness education and stretching for fibromyalgia. 66 individuals with Fibromyalgia were randomly assigned between the two groups which both met for one hour twice a week for 12 weeks.

The patients in the tai chi group had clinically important improvements in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, a commonly used questionnaire used in the evaluation of fibromyalgia patients. Individuals in the tai chi group also had clinically important improvements in quality of life with statistically significant between group differences in both the physical and mental components scores of the SF-36 health survey. Improvements were maintained at 24 weeks and no adverse events were observed.

Abstract