The effects of tai chi in centrally obese adults with depression symptoms

Xin Liu, Luis Vitetta, Karam Kostner, David Crompton, Gail Williams, Wendy J Brown, Alan Lopez, Charlie C Xue, Tian P Oei, Gerard Byrne, Jennifer H Martin, Harvey Whiteford, Xin Liu, Luis Vitetta, Karam Kostner, David Crompton, Gail Williams, Wendy J Brown, Alan Lopez, Charlie C Xue, Tian P Oei, Gerard Byrne, Jennifer H Martin, Harvey Whiteford

Abstract

This study examined the effects of Tai Chi, a low-impact mind-body movement therapy, on severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in centrally obese people with elevated depression symptoms. In total, 213 participants were randomized to a 24-week Tai Chi intervention program or a wait-list control group. Assessments were conducted at baseline and 12 and 24 weeks. Outcomes were severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, leg strength, central obesity, and other measures of metabolic symptom. There were statistically significant between-group differences in favor of the Tai Chi group in depression (mean difference = -5.6 units, P < 0.001), anxiety (-2.3 units, P < 0.01), and stress (-3.6 units, P < 0.001) symptom scores and leg strength (1.1 units, P < 0.001) at 12 weeks. These changes were further improved or maintained in the Tai Chi group relative to the control group during the second 12 weeks of follow-up. Tai Chi appears to be beneficial for reducing severity of depression, anxiety, and stress and leg strength in centrally obese people with depression symptoms. More studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm the findings. This trial is registered with ACTRN12613000010796.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow of participants in the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean changes in depression, anxiety, and stress scores at 12 and 24 weeks. The values shown are unadjusted means; I bars indicate 95% confidence intervals. P values assess difference in mean scores at 12 and 24 weeks, after adjusting for baseline. CES-D = Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale 10. DASS = Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean changes in other physical activities during the 24 weeks of intervention (after start of Tai Chi training). I bars indicate standard errors.

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