Research
Below are links to and reports of papers from peer reviewed journals and relevant articles on Tai Chi and related disciplines.
Long term Tai Chi training is related to lower prevalence of depression.
A recent study analysed 529 Japanese Tai Chi practitioners in order to look for a correlation between the length of time spent on regular Tai Chi exercise and the level of depressive symptoms (Yingjie et al., 2014). The results showed a strong negative correlation between hours spend practising Tai Chi and number of depressive symptoms (P<0.001) (Yingjie et al., 2014). This means that 'the proportion of adults with depressive symptoms declined significantly with increased length of Tai Chi training time' (Yingjie et al., 2014, p. 37).
Yingjie et al. present their results as evidence of the positive role that long term Tai Chi training could have for the prevention of depressive symptoms in the general population.
It was acknowledged in the paper's discussion that one limitation of the study was that although the depression scales used assess depressive symptoms, they are not designed to make clinical diagnoses (Yingjie et al., 2014); so further work could explore how Tai Chi practise correlates with clinical diagnosis of depressive mood disorders. Also, because a correlation study cannot establish causal relationships, further work is needed to verify the hypothesis that Tai Chi practise has a beneficial effect on mood disorders. However, since this was the first study to investigate the long term mental health benefits of Tai Chi specific to depression, the results make a very promising start. Reference
Yingjie, L., Qian, S., Hui, G., Hongmei, W., Huanmin, D., Guang, Y., Ge, M., Changping, L., Ryoichi, N., Kaijun, N. (2014) 'Long-term Tai Chi training is related to depressive symptoms amongTai Chi practitioners', Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 169, pp. 36-39 [Online] Available at http://www.sciencedirect.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/…/S01650… (Accessed 22nd July 2015).
Yingjie et al. present their results as evidence of the positive role that long term Tai Chi training could have for the prevention of depressive symptoms in the general population.
It was acknowledged in the paper's discussion that one limitation of the study was that although the depression scales used assess depressive symptoms, they are not designed to make clinical diagnoses (Yingjie et al., 2014); so further work could explore how Tai Chi practise correlates with clinical diagnosis of depressive mood disorders. Also, because a correlation study cannot establish causal relationships, further work is needed to verify the hypothesis that Tai Chi practise has a beneficial effect on mood disorders. However, since this was the first study to investigate the long term mental health benefits of Tai Chi specific to depression, the results make a very promising start. Reference
Yingjie, L., Qian, S., Hui, G., Hongmei, W., Huanmin, D., Guang, Y., Ge, M., Changping, L., Ryoichi, N., Kaijun, N. (2014) 'Long-term Tai Chi training is related to depressive symptoms amongTai Chi practitioners', Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 169, pp. 36-39 [Online] Available at http://www.sciencedirect.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/…/S01650… (Accessed 22nd July 2015).
A study investigating the effects of Tai Chi Chuan: Individuals with traumatic brain injury compared to controls.
Although Tai Chi has been shown to have numerous health benefits, until a study by Gemmel and Leathem (2006), the potential benefits of Tai Chi for individuals who had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) had not been explored (Gemmel & Leathem, 2006). Gemmel and Leathems' study, entitiled 'A study investigating the effects of Tai Chi Chuan: Individuals with traumatic brain injury compared to controls' (Gemmel & Leathem, 2006), suggested that since 'TBI is associated with cognitive, emotional, inter-personal and physical difficulties, it was considered likely that Tai Chi could be beneficial for those with TBI as well' (Gemmel & Leathem, 2006, p.152) .
All participants had suffered trauma injuries to the brain ranging from mild to severe. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group who were given instruction in basic exercises from the Chen style of Tai Chi Chuan by a qualified instructor, and a control group, who were assigned to a 'waiting list' for the Tai Chi course. An independent administrator conducted all evaluations (conducted before and after each session; and three weeks after the course end) so both the researcher and the Tai Chi instructor were blind to all evaluations until after the course completion. Results showed statistically significant reductions in in fear, confusion, saddness, anger and tension in the Tai Chi group compared to the control; as well as significant increases in energy and happiness (Gemmel & Leathem, 2006). The results came from data gathered from the Visual Analogue Mood Scales (VAMS).The VAMS measures eight specific mood states: Afraid, Confused, Sad, Angry, Energetic, Tired, Happy, and Tense. The test is designed to be simple, placing minimal cognitive or linguistic demands on the respondent and is therefore appropriate for neurologically impaired individuals. Two other questionaires were also used: the Medical Outcome Scale Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Results from these tests showed no significant effect between the experimental and control groups. Gemmel and Leathem (2006) suggested that this may have been due to the amount of form filling required by participants. The MOS SF-36 and the RSES are more complex than the VAMS, and some participants expressed frustration and fatigue at the amount of paper work required of them before and after their Tai Chi sessions (Gemmel & Leathem, 2006).
This study highlights two important points. Firstly, it adds yet more evidence to the efficacy of Tai Chi practice in increasing subjective well-being across a wide platform of conditions; so its psychological benefits may well extend beyond mood disorders, and potentially help to decrease the need for drug interventions where these can be avoided. Secondly, this study highlights the importance of considering the potential cognitive stress placed on participants by requesting they fill out multiple and sometimes complex self-report questionaires immediately before and after Tai Chi practice. It seems that in this study the questionaires may have acted as confounding variables that worked against the benefits of the Tai Chi practice being felt to the full. This reflection needs to be taken into account for future studies with people who have suffered TBI; but it may also be relevant to others, such as individuals with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or dyslexia.
Reference
Gemmel, C., Leathem, J. (2006) 'A study investigating the effects of Tai Chi Chuan: Individuals with traumatic brain injury compared to controls', Brain Injury, Vol. 20(2), pp. 151-156 [Online] Available at http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=c07f2edf-ca49-4bb4-97c0-81107fdb08d3%40sessionmgr4001&vid=1&hid=4113 (Accessed 31st July 2015).
All participants had suffered trauma injuries to the brain ranging from mild to severe. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group who were given instruction in basic exercises from the Chen style of Tai Chi Chuan by a qualified instructor, and a control group, who were assigned to a 'waiting list' for the Tai Chi course. An independent administrator conducted all evaluations (conducted before and after each session; and three weeks after the course end) so both the researcher and the Tai Chi instructor were blind to all evaluations until after the course completion. Results showed statistically significant reductions in in fear, confusion, saddness, anger and tension in the Tai Chi group compared to the control; as well as significant increases in energy and happiness (Gemmel & Leathem, 2006). The results came from data gathered from the Visual Analogue Mood Scales (VAMS).The VAMS measures eight specific mood states: Afraid, Confused, Sad, Angry, Energetic, Tired, Happy, and Tense. The test is designed to be simple, placing minimal cognitive or linguistic demands on the respondent and is therefore appropriate for neurologically impaired individuals. Two other questionaires were also used: the Medical Outcome Scale Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Results from these tests showed no significant effect between the experimental and control groups. Gemmel and Leathem (2006) suggested that this may have been due to the amount of form filling required by participants. The MOS SF-36 and the RSES are more complex than the VAMS, and some participants expressed frustration and fatigue at the amount of paper work required of them before and after their Tai Chi sessions (Gemmel & Leathem, 2006).
This study highlights two important points. Firstly, it adds yet more evidence to the efficacy of Tai Chi practice in increasing subjective well-being across a wide platform of conditions; so its psychological benefits may well extend beyond mood disorders, and potentially help to decrease the need for drug interventions where these can be avoided. Secondly, this study highlights the importance of considering the potential cognitive stress placed on participants by requesting they fill out multiple and sometimes complex self-report questionaires immediately before and after Tai Chi practice. It seems that in this study the questionaires may have acted as confounding variables that worked against the benefits of the Tai Chi practice being felt to the full. This reflection needs to be taken into account for future studies with people who have suffered TBI; but it may also be relevant to others, such as individuals with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or dyslexia.
Reference
Gemmel, C., Leathem, J. (2006) 'A study investigating the effects of Tai Chi Chuan: Individuals with traumatic brain injury compared to controls', Brain Injury, Vol. 20(2), pp. 151-156 [Online] Available at http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=c07f2edf-ca49-4bb4-97c0-81107fdb08d3%40sessionmgr4001&vid=1&hid=4113 (Accessed 31st July 2015).