Regular Tai Chi Exercise Decreases the Percentage of Type 2 Cytokine–Producing Cells in Postsurgical Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Tai Chi combines aspects of meditation and aerobic exercise. Its effect on the balance between cellular and humoral immunity, which potentiates human immunity against tumors, remains to be determined. The objective was to investigate the effect of a 16-week Tai Chi exercise intervention on the recovery of postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer survivors. A controlled study was performed in 32 lung cancer survivors who practiced Tai Chi during a 16-week period. The percentages of interferon γ-producing CD3 T lymphocyte cells (T1) and interleukin 4-producing CD3 T lymphocyte cells (T2) and CD3 T lymphocyte subsets (T helper cell type 1 [TH1], TH2; cytotoxic T cell type 1 [Tc1], Tc2) were determined as well as levels of hormones β-endorphin, general catecholamines, and cortisol. Whereas the T1/T2 and Tc1/Tc2 ratios in the control group decreased in the natural course of postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer recovery (both P < .01), no changes were observed in the Tai Chi group. The differences in changes in the T1/T2 and Tc1/Tc2 ratios (both P < .01) and in T2 and Tc2 levels (P < .01) between the 2 groups were significant. The cortisol level increased in the control group (P < .05) but not in Tai Chi group. A 16-week Tai Chi exercise significantly diminished the magnitude of the decreased T1/T2 ratio in the natural course of recovery in a population of postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer survivors. Tai Chi may have a role in ameliorating the imbalance between humoral and cellular immunity, potentiating human immunity against tumors.