Tai Chi Chuan Exercise Research Articles

The influence of traditional Chinese exercise on brain function compared with other sports: A meta-analysis on functional neuroimaging studies

Traditional Chinese Exercise (TCE) has been shown to improve quality of life, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a highly used method for investigating its mechanism. However, there is currently a lack of systematic reviews and meta-analyses focusing on TCE-related brain changes. This study aims to fill this gap by conducting a meta-analysis on brain changes of TCE with fMRI technology. We searched relevant studies published until February 2024. Independent researchers conducted literature screening, quality assessment, and clinical and neuroimaging data extraction. Focis were filtered from eligible studies, and meta-analysis was performed using seed-based d mapping. Twenty-three studies involving 1182 participants were included in this study. The result found that longitudinal TCE increased brain activity in the left anterior cingulate gyri, right fusiform gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus and left frontal superior compared with other exercises or healthcare. Subgroup analysis showed that the brain activity in the right superior frontal gyrus dorsolateral; right cortico-spinal projections; corpus callosum; right inferior network; right gyrus rectus; left middle occipital gyrus were decreased after TCE compared to other exercise among healthy participants. The right median cingulate gyri was increased after Baduanjin (one of the TCE) compared to other exercise; the left precentral gyrus activity was increased after Tai chi chuan (TCC) practice compared to other exercise. The brain activity in the right insula, right supplementary motor area, and left anterior thalamic were significantly increased after long-time TCC exercise. TCE effectively improved the cognitive level of the subjects. Among them, the MoCA score increased, but Memory Quotient was not improved. Research results indicate that TCE have specific neuromodulatory effects, and different TCE have different neuromodulatory patterns.

What are physical exercise interventions in older age? Literature review for physical and cognitive function

Background and Study Aim. The elderly represent a growing age group and an integral part of modern society. The aging process introduces significant health challenges, making exercise an essential component in maintaining quality of life and well-being among the elderly. This study reviews the impact of physical exercise interventions on the physical and cognitive functions of the elderly population. Material and Methods. The search for this study was conducted using the ScienceDirect and PubMed databases. The search strategy employed a combination of keywords ("Elderly Physical Exercise" AND "Physical Exercise Intervention" AND "Elderly Fitness and Cognitive" AND "Physical Exercise for Physical and Cognitive Functions" AND "Physical and Cognitive Benefits" AND "Elderly Physical Exercise Prevalence"). This search adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. Initially, 1,854 publications were identified through the database searches (ScienceDirect: 981 articles; PubMed: 873 articles). After applying the exclusion criteria, only 11 articles remained. Results. It has been found that physical exercise interventions for the elderly significantly impact their physical and cognitive functions. In the first group, exercises such as home-based e-Health programs, multicomponent exercises, moderate aerobic exercises, dance training, and balance training have been identified. All these have been shown to provide substantial benefits. These programs enhanced not only physical function but also cognitive performance and the overall quality of life for older adults without physical and cognitive health complaints. This showcases the potential of physical exercise interventions to prevent morbidity and reduce disability. The second group focused on physical exercise interventions for older adults with degenerative disease complaints, such as type 2 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Dual-task exercise programs and tai chi chuan exercises have demonstrated improvements in cognitive function for this demographic. They also improved physical fitness. The research also points out some limitations related to the implementation and budgeting for these programs. Conclusions. The literature review suggests that physical exercise interventions play a crucial role in maintaining physical and cognitive functions in older adults. Exercise programs tailored to the specific health conditions of individuals can significantly improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of declining physical and cognitive functions in the elderly population.

Distinct effects of long-term Tai Chi Chuan and aerobic exercise interventions on motor and neurocognitive performance in early-stage Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by movement disorders and probable cognitive impairment. Exercise plays an important role in PD management, and recent studies have reported improvement in motor symptoms and cognitive function following aerobic and Tai Chi Chuan exercise. To explore the different effects of Tai Chi Chuan and aerobic exercise on the clinical motor status and neurocognitive performance of patients with early-stage PD. A randomized controlled trial. Parkinson's Disease Center at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and National Cheng Kung University Hospital. Patients with idiopathic PD. Fifty-six patients with PD were recruited and divided into three groups: aerobic exercise (AE, N.=14), Tai Chi Chuan exercise (TE, N.=16), and control (CG, N.=13). Before and after a 12-week intervention period, we used unified Parkinson's disease rating scale Part III (UPDRS-III) scores and neuropsychological (e.g., accuracy rates [ARs] and reaction times [RTs]) and neurophysiological (e.g., event-related potential [ERP] N2 and P3 latencies and amplitudes) parameters to respectively assess the patients' clinical motor symptoms and neurocognitive performance when performing a working memory (WM) task. Compared to baseline, UPDRS-III scores were significantly lower in the AE and TE groups after the intervention period, whereas those for the CG group were higher. In terms of the neurocognitive parameters, when performing the WM task after the intervention period, the AE group exhibited significantly faster RTs and larger ERP P3 amplitudes, the TE group exhibited an improvement only in ERP P3 amplitude, and the CG group exhibited a significantly reduced ERP P3 amplitude. However, neither the TE nor the AE group exhibited improved ARs and ERP N2 performance. The present study supported the distinct effectiveness of Tai Chi Chuan and aerobic exercise for improving motor symptoms and providing neurocognitive benefits in PD patients. These results have important implications regarding the use of these exercise interventions for managing PD, particularly in the early stages.

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of TAI CHI Ch-Uan Exercises on Balance Control among Older People Living in Selected Old Age Homes in Bangalore, Karnataka

Background and Purpose: The treatment of balance disorders lacks a fixed method, with identification andmanagement of external factors being crucial. Many balance disorders benefit from balance training and moderatephysical activity. Exercise programs encompass strength training, balance and coordination exercises, dual tasktraining, hydrotherapy, tai chi, and yoga, all proven to enhance balance. Tai Chi Chuan, a martial art, utilizes slow,graceful moves and precise body movements to enhance body awareness and balance, combined with breathingtechniques for mind-body harmony and energy flow. Practicing Tai Chi fosters muscle strength, flexibility, aerobicconditioning, and stress reduction, contributing to overall well-being and balance improvement.Methods: The study was conducted at Omashram Trust, Bangalore, Karnataka. The research design selectedfor the study was quasi experimental pre-test post-test with experimental and control group. Non probabilitypurposive sampling technique was adopted to select the samples. The data collection tool consisted of part I andpart II.Part I – Dealt with the interview schedule for demographic data which consist of 13 items used to collect thesample characteristics such as age in years, gender, religion, educational status, past occupation, source of income,marital status, diet, on a therapeutic diet, practice of regular exercise, presence of any physical illness, aware ofinformation about Tai Chi Chuan exercise, if yes.Part II - Berg balance scale was used to assess the balance control in older people.Results of the StudyAssociation between the body balance status and demographic variablesa) Experimental GroupThe finding of this study in the experimental group showed that there was significant association between the levelof balance control and demographic variables such as age and past occupation. Hence the research hypothesis wasaccepted at 0.05 level of significance and null hypothesis was rejected.
 Control GroupThe finding of this study in the control group proved that there was significant association between the level ofbalance control and demographic variables such as age, education and presence of any physical illness. Hence theresearch hypothesis was accepted at 0.05 level of significance and null hypothesis was rejected.Discussion: The overall findings of the study clearly showed that effectiveness of tai CHI CH-UAN exerciseson balance control among older people living in selected old age homeswas more effective for the Experimentalgroup than the Control group.

Effects of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) Exercise on the Physiological and Psychosocial Wellbeing, and the Quality of Life (QOL) of Breast Cancer Patients on Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Effects of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) Exercise on the Physiological and Psychosocial Wellbeing, and the Quality of Life (QOL) of Breast Cancer Patients on Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Comparison of Limb and Joint Strengths between Tai Chi Chuan Players and Non-Tai Chi Chuan Groups by Using a Force Sensor

Background: Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is popular in exercise, but little research has been done on limb and joint strength after the exercise. This study aimed to investigate whether TCC players have different limb and joint strengths in the upper and lower limbs from non-Tai Chi Chuan (NTCC). Methods: Twenty TCC players who have at least one year of experience playing TCC were compared with a group of 25 NTCC participants. A force sensor was used to measure forces in the lower and upper limbs. Maximum forces produced by the lower limbs was measured during a standing position with straight legs or were measured in a seated position. The maximum forces produced by the upper limbs were measured in a standing position at elbow and shoulder levels. Results: The forces of the knee extensors in the TCC group were significantly higher (7.4%) than in the NTCC group; however, the forces of the knee flexors in the TCC group were significantly lower than the NTCC group. The heel-force in hip extension in the NTCC group was significantly higher (9.3%) than in TCC; the toe-force in the plantar flexion in the NTCC was significantly higher than in the TCC group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the hand-forces in the upper limbs. Conclusions: TCC routine movements strengthen the muscles related to knee extension, which are mainly related to bending knee performance during TCC exercise. For the healthy people between 42 and 78 years old, TCC benefits the enhancement of the strength for knee extension but not for the knee flexion, ankle plantar flexion and hip extension. There is no significant difference between the TCC and NTCC groups on the strength of upper limbs and joints. As a whole, the effect of Tai Chi Chuan exercise on the strengths in the limbs and joints is compromised. In the future, a study with larger sample size than this study is highly recommended.

Acute Tai Chi Chuan exercise enhances sustained attention and elicits increased cuneus/precuneus activation in young adults.

The potential for acute exercise to enhance attention has been discussed in the literature. However, the neural mechanisms by which acute exercise affects attention remain elusive. In this study, we first identified an optimized acute Tai Chi Chuan (ATCC) exercise protocol that enhances sustained attention performance and then aimed to determine the neural substrates of exercise-enhanced attention. Reaction time (RT) from the psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) was used to evaluate sustained attention. In Experiment 1, improvements in RTs were compared among six different exercise protocols. In Experiment 2, the participants completed the PVT in an MRI scanner on both rest and exercise days. Experiment 1 showed that practicing TCC 3 times for a total of 20 minutes, followed by 10-minute rest periods, resulted in the largest improvements in RTs. Experiment 2 showed that ATCC enhanced sustained attention, as evidenced by shorter RTs, and resulted in greater cuneus/precuneus activation after exercise than in the rest condition. Exercise-induced changes in brain activities across a distributed network exhibited significant correlations with attention. Therefore, this study indicates that ATCC effectively enhances sustained attention and underscores the key role of the cuneus/precuneus and frontoparietal-cerebellar regions in facilitating vigilance among young adults.

Altered Effective Connectivity of Resting-State Networks by Tai Chi Chuan in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients: A Multivariate Granger Causality Study.

Numerous evidence has shown that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have changes in resting brain functional connectivity, but there is no study on the brain network effect of Tai Chi Chuan intervention in CFS. To explore the influence of Tai Chi Chuan exercise on the causal relationship between brain functional networks in patients with CFS, 21 patients with CFS and 19 healthy controls were recruited for resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scanning and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scale assessment before and after 1month-long training in Tai Chi Chuan. We extracted the resting brain networks using the independent component analysis (ICA) method, analyzed the changes of FC in these networks, conducted Granger causality analysis (GCA) on it, and analyzed the correlation between the difference causality value and the SF-36 scale. Compared to the healthy control group, the SF-36 scale scores of patients with CFS were lower at baseline. Meanwhile, the causal relationship between sensorimotor network (SMN) and default mode network (DMN) was weakened. The above abnormalities could be improved by Tai Chi Chuan training for 1 month. In addition, the correlation analyses showed that the causal relationship between SMN and DMN was positively correlated with the scores of Role Physical (RP) and Bodily Pain (BP) in CFS patients, and the change of causal relationship between SMN and DMN before and after training was positively correlated with the change of BP score. The findings suggest that Tai Chi Chuan is helpful to improve the quality of life for patients with CFS. The change of Granger causality between SMN and DMN may be a readout parameter of CFS. Tai Chi Chuan may promote the functional plasticity of brain networks in patients with CFS by regulating the information transmission between them.

The Effects of Tai Chi Chuan Exercise Training on the Lower Extremities of Middle-Aged and Elderly

Background: It is known that lower-limb muscle strength is easily maintained in elderly people who practice Tai Chi, although it is necessary to maintain lower-limb muscle strength even as age increases in order to prevent falls. However, the effect of long-term Tai Chi practice and age on lower-limb ability is unclear in middle-aged and elderly people. This research was designed to compare lower-extremity parameters during a countermovement jump between middle-aged and elderly individuals who frequently practice Tai Chi Chuan and individuals in the general population who constituted the healthy group. Methods: There were four groups, and each group included 12 participants. Ten Vicon motion system infrared cameras and two Kistler force plates were used. The data were standardized and analysed using independent-measure two-way ANOVA. Results: The statistical results showed that there was no interaction between the age factor and exercise type factor. The statistics of age factor also showed that age may decrease the jump height (36.36%), peak knee power (24.74%) and peak ankle power (21%) during the take-off phase. In the exercise type factor, long-term Tai Chi training significantly increased the jump height (60%), peak knee moment (19.80%), peak ankle moment (8.06%), peak hip power (29.80%), peak knee power (31.23%) and peak ankle power (16.88%) during the take-off phase. Conclusion: This study shows that long-term Tai Chi training can slow ageing-related functional decline. According to the results of this study, middle-aged and elderly people are encouraged to regularly perform Tai Chi exercises to increase the strength of various muscle groups in the lower limbs and slow the lower-limb muscle changes caused by ageing.

Tai Chi Chuan improves cytokine expression levels and quality of life in post chemotherapy breast cancer survivors

Background: This study investigated the effects of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) exercise on biological markers and psychological factors of breast carcinoma patients diagnosed with advanced invasive ductal carcinoma. Methods: Sixty breast cancer patients, and 50 healthy female subjects. Patients underwent a mastectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma, and completed 4 cycles of 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Peripheral blood was drawn from subjects to analyze the biological markers, namely white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) count and cytokine levels (IL2, IL4, IL6, IFN-γ and TNF-α). Following treatment, the patients participated in a TCC program for 12 months. Biomarkers and hand grip strength were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months after TCC practice. A psychological factor-based questionnaire was also conducted. Results: After 12 months of TCC, the levels of cytokines of patients achieved no statistically significant difference compared to healthy controls. The total WBC count was 7.55 ± 1.25 (p<0.05), and the total RBC count was 4.62±1.25 (p<0.05). Patients noticed improvements in short term memory. Following 12 months of TCC practice, patients also had stronger hand grip strength with baseline. Conclusions: TCC exercise can recommended for the rehabilitation of post-treatment breast cancer patients for biological and psychological improvements.

Tai Chi Chuan Alters Brain Functional Network Plasticity and Promotes Cognitive Flexibility.

Objective: This study used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of Tai Chi Chuan and general aerobic exercise on the topological parameters of brain functional networks, explored the advantages of Tai Chi Chuan for improving functional network plasticity and cognitive flexibility, and examined how changes in topological attributes of brain functional networks relate to cognitive flexibility.Methods: Thirty-six healthy adults were grouped into Tai Chi Chuan (Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi), general aerobic exercise (brisk walking), and control groups. All of the subjects underwent fMRI and behavioral assessment before and after the exercise intervention.Results: Tai Chi Chuan exercise significantly enhanced the clustering coefficient and local efficiency compared with general aerobic exercise. Regarding the nodal properties, Tai Chi Chuan significantly enhanced the nodal clustering coefficient of the bilateral olfactory cortex and left thalamus, significantly reduced the nodal clustering coefficient of the left inferior temporal gyrus, significantly improved the nodal efficiency of the right precuneus and bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus, and significantly improved the nodal local efficiency of the left thalamus and right olfactory cortex. Furthermore, the behavioral performance results demonstrated that cognitive flexibility was enhanced by Tai Chi Chuan. The change in the nodal clustering coefficient in the left thalamus induced by Tai Chi Chuan was a significant predictor of cognitive flexibility.Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that Tai Chi Chuan could promote brain functional specialization. Brain functional specialization enhanced by Tai Chi Chuan exercise was a predictor of greater cognitive flexibility.

Integrity of the Prefronto-striato-thalamo-prefrontal Loop Predicts Tai Chi Chuan Training Effects on Cognitive Task-switching in Middle-aged and Older Adults.

Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) exercise has been shown to improve cognitive task-switching performance in older adults, but the extent of this positive effect varies among individuals. Past research also shows that brain white matter integrity could predict behavioral gains of cognitive and motor learning. Therefore, in this randomized controlled trial (NCT02270320), we examined whether baseline integrity of three target white matter tract groups was predictive of task-switching improvement after 12-week TCC training in middle-aged and older adults. Thirty-eight eligible participants were randomly assigned to a TCC group (n = 19) and a control group (n = 19). Cognitive task-switching and physical performances were collected before and after training. Brain diffusion spectrum MR images were acquired before training and the general fractional anisotropy (GFA) of each target white matter tract group was calculated to indicate baseline white matter integrity of that group. Correlation and regression analyses between these GFAs and post-training task-switching improvement were analyzed using adjusted p-values. After 12 weeks, significant task-switching and physical performance improvements were found only in the TCC group. Moreover, higher baseline GFA of the prefronto-striato-thalamo-prefrontal loop fibers (r = −0.63, p = 0.009), but not of the prefronto-parietal/occipital (r = −0.55, p = 0.026) and callosal (r = −0.35, p = 0.189) fiber groups, was associated with greater reductions of task-switching errors after the TCC training. Multiple regression analysis revealed that baseline GFA of the prefronto-striato-thalamo-prefrontal loop fibers was the only independent white matter integrity predictor of task-switching error reductions after TCC training (β = −0.620, adjusted R2 change = 0.265, p = 0.009). These findings not only highlight the important role of baseline integrity of the prefronto-striatal circuits in influencing the extent of positive cognitive task-switching effects from short-term TCC training, but also implicate that preserving good white matter integrity in the aging process may be crucial in order to gain the best cognitive effects of exercise interventions.

The effectiveness of Tai Chi Chuan on fear of movement, prevention of falls, physical activity, and cognitive status in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) on fear of movement, prevention of falls, physical activity, and cognitive status in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. This controlled trial was conducted with 20 participants in the intervention group, and they did exercises for 35-40 min/session, twice a week for 12 weeks. The posttest scores of the scales indicated that the scores of cognitive adaptations, being observant, and changes in level subscales of the fall behavioral scale in the older adults who did Tai Chi exercise in the intervention group significantly increased (p < .01). The nursing home provider can safely manage TCC exercise interventions for older adults with MCI.

The effects of tai chi chuan exercise training on countermovement jump performance in the elderly

ABSTRACT This study sought to compare the biomechanical parameters of the lower extremities during a countermovement jump in elderly people who are engaged in frequent practice of tai chi chuan (TCG) and in the general population of healthy elderly people (HG). Each group included 12 participants. Ten Vicon Motion System infrared cameras and two Kistler force plates were employed for measurement. The jump height, duration, centre of mass (COM) displacement, joint ROM, and upward velocity were analysed in this study. Motion analysis and force platform data were combined to calculate joint moments and powers during the takeoff phase. The data were analysed using independent sample t-tests. The results showed that the tai chi chuan practitioner group (0.13 m) achieved 44% higher jump heights (p < 0.05). The COM displacement during squatting was lower in the TCG (0.25 m) than in the HG (0.19 m) (p < 0.05). The knee and ankle ROMs of the TCG were higher than those of the HG (p < 0.05). Peak knee moment 23% and peak knee power 32% higher in TCG compared to the HG (p < 0.05), suggesting that frequent practice of tai chi chuan may slow the rate of knee degeneration.

Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on Inhibitory Control in Elderly Women: An fNIRS Study.

BackgroundInhibitory control is a sub-ability of executive function and plays an important role in the entire cognitive process. However, declines in inhibitory control during aging significantly impair the quality of life of elderly people. Investigating methods to delay the decline of inhibitory control has become a focal point in current research. Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is one effective method used to delay cognitive declines in older adults. However, the specific effects of TCC on inhibitory control and the mechanisms through which TCC may improve cognition in older adults have not been comprehensively investigated.ObjectiveThe study explores possible neurological mechanisms related to the effects of TCC interventions on inhibitory control in older people using a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technique and reaction times (RTs).MethodsA total of 26 healthy, elderly people who had not received TCC training completed all study procedures. The subjects were randomized to either the TCC group or the control group. Subjects in the TCC group were taught TCC by a certified instructor and trained for 8 weeks. The control group continued to perform general daily activities. The Flanker task was administered to every participant to evaluate inhibitory control pre- and post-intervention. While participants were performing the Flanker task, fNIRS data were collected.ResultsPost-intervention, significant differences for incongruent flankers were found only for the TCC intervention group. Faster RTs were observed for the incongruent flankers in the TCC group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Analysis of the fNIRS data revealed an increase in oxy-Hb in the prefrontal cortex during the incongruent flankers after the TCC exercise intervention.ConclusionThe TCC intervention significantly improved inhibitory control in older adults, suggesting that TCC is an effective, suitable exercise for improving executive function and neurological health in elderly people.Clinical Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Register, ChiCTR1900028457.

Tai Chi Chuan vs General Aerobic Exercise in Brain Plasticity: A Multimodal MRI Study

This study contrasted the impact of Tai Chi Chuan and general aerobic exercise on brain plasticity in terms of an increased grey matter volume and functional connectivity during structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), explored the advantages of Tai Chi Chuan in improving brain structure and function. Thirty-six college students were grouped into Tai Chi Chuan (Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi), general aerobic exercise (brisk walking) and control groups. Individuals were assessed with a sMRI and rs-fMRI scan before and after an 8-week training period. The VBM toolbox was used to conduct grey matter volume analyses. The CONN toolbox was used to conduct several seed-to-voxel functional connectivity analyses. We can conclude that compared with general aerobic exercise, eight weeks of Tai Chi Chuan exercise has a stronger effect on brain plasticity, which is embodied in the increase of grey matter volume in left middle occipital gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus and right middle temporal gyrus and the enhancement of functional connectivity between the left middle frontal gyrus and left superior parietal lobule. These findings demonstrate the potential and advantages of Tai Chi Chuan exercises in eliciting brain plasticity.

Tai Chi Chuan Exercise Improves Lung Function and Asthma Control through Immune Regulation in Childhood Asthma.

Background Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is an exercise of low to moderate intensity with key features of mindfulness, structural alignment, and flexibility to relax the body and mind in adults. Our previous study showed that TCC could improve the quality of life (QoL), pulmonary function, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide in asthmatic children. We further investigated whether the benefits induced by TCC were associated with immune regulation. Method Six- to twelve-year-old children diagnosed with mild to severe persistent asthma for at least one year according to the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines were enrolled from a tertiary pediatric allergy center in Taiwan. Asthmatic children were divided into two groups based on their choice: (1) the TCC group had a 60-minute TCC exercise session once weekly led by an instructor and (2) the control group kept their original activity levels. All other exercises were encouraged as usual. Pulmonary function tests, laboratory tests, standardized pediatric asthma QoL questionnaire (PAQLQ(S)), and childhood asthma control test (C-ACT) were performed before and after the TCC program (12 weeks). Data on medications and exacerbations were collected from medical records. Results There were no differences between the TCC (n = 25) and control (n = 15) groups at baseline, except that the C-ACT showed significantly lower results in the TCC group (p=0.045). After 12 weeks, the number of leukocytes (p=0.041) and eosinophils (p=0.022) decreased, while regulatory T cells increased significantly (p=0.008) only in the TCC group. Lung functions (FEV1 and PEFR) were significantly improved in both the TCC (p < 0.001) and control (p=0.045 and 0.019, respectively) groups, while the PAQLQ(S) and C-ACT (p < 0.001) showed improvement only in the TCC group. Moreover, compared to the control group, the exacerbations within 12 weeks after the study were significantly decreased in the TCC group (p=0.031). After multiple regression by a conditional forward method, the factors that were significantly associated with exacerbation within 12 weeks after study is the practice of TCC and exacerbation within 24 weeks before study (p=0.013 and 0.015, respectively) after adjusting for age, sex, asthma severity, PEF, FEV1, C-ACT, PAQLQ(S), and medication score at baseline. Conclusion TCC exercise may improve pulmonary functions, asthma control, and QoL and prevent exacerbations in asthmatic children through immune regulation. Further research on detailed mechanisms is mandated.

Tai Chi Chuan exercise related change in brain function as assessed by functional near\u2013infrared spectroscopy

Early studies have shown that Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) contributes to the rehabilitation of cognitive disorders and increases blood oxygen concentration levels in the parietal and occipital brain areas; however, the mechanism of TCC training on brain function remains poorly understood. This study hypothesize that TCC has altered brain function and aims to explore the effects of TCC on functional connection and effective connection of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), motor cortex (MC), and occipital cortex (OC). The participants were 23 experienced Chen–style TCC practitioners (TCC group), and 32 demographically matched TCC–naive healthy controls (control group). Functional and effective connections were calculated using wavelet–based coherence analysis and dynamic Bayesian inference method, respectively. Results showed that beyond the intensity of activity in a particular cortical region induced by TCC, significant differences in brain activity and dynamic configuration of connectivity were observed between the TCC and control groups during resting and movement states. These findings suggested that TCC training improved the connection of PFC, MC and OC in myogenic activity, sympathetic nervous system, and endothelial cell metabolic activities; enhanced brain functional connections and relayed the ability of TCC to improve cognition and the anti–memory decline potential.

Tai chi chuan exercises improve functional outcomes and quality of life in patients with primary total knee arthroplasty due to knee osteoarthritis

Background and purposePostoperative rehabilitation plays an indispensable role for a successful total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and the optimal exercises programs are not known. A single-centre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial was designed to explore whether tai chi chuan (TCC) exercises can improve the functional outcomes and the quality of life (QOL) in patients with primary TKA due to knee osteoarthritis (OA). Materials and methodsOne hundred seven participants with primary TKA for end-stage knee OA were enrolled from January 2014 to January 2017. Patients were treated for 12 weeks either with TCC exercises (intervention) or traditional physical exercises (control). Outcomes including western ontario and mcMaster universities arthritis index (WOMAC), 6-min walk test (6 MWT), knee range of motion (ROM), and short form (36) health survey (SF-36) were assessed. The adverse events related to TCC exercises or TKA were recorded. ResultsBefore the intervention, the two groups were comparable after examining the general descriptions of patients. Compared with the control group (CG), the TCC group (TG) had significantly better scores in the WOMAC physical function score, 6 MWT, SF-36 physical component score (PCS), and the mental component score (MCS) (P < 0.05) after the 12-week intervention. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in WOMAC pain score and knee ROM. There were no adverse events related to the TCC exercise program. In the CG, three patients reported one fall each, but those falls did not lead to a further problem. ConclusionThe TCC exercises improve the physical function and the QOL in patients with primary TKA without additional risks.

Acute Effects of Tai Chi Chuan, Coordination and Aerobic Exercise on Attention in Elderly Individuals

This study examined the effects of 3 different acute exercise modes on sustained attention in elderly adults. Twelve experienced male Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) practitioners were assigned to: TCC, coordination program and ergometer cycling. Each exercise session lasted for 30 minutes. Before and after the exercise a 14 min Continues Performance Test (CPT) was conducted to evaluate sustained attention. Results: After TCC a value for attentiveness (Detectability) improved significantly with p=0.01. Decreasing commission mistakes (p=0.06) and hit reaction time (p=0.09) showed a tendency for higher attention levels. Hit reaction time value (p=0.026) and hit reaction time standard deviation (p=0.002) reduced significantly after the coordination session. Commission mistakes decreased significantly (p=0.031) after ergometer cycling. These results demonstrate that each exercise mode influences attention markers differently; Coordinative challenging exercises are more beneficial for attention; TCC in specific for attentiveness and inhibition; and aerobic training for inhibition.