Mindfulness-based interventions in multiple sclerosis: beneficial effects of Tai Chi on balance, coordination, fatigue and depression Effectiveness of Tai Chi on Cardiac Autonomic Function and Symptomatology in Women With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Randomized Controlled Trial of Qigong/Tai Chi Easy on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors Tai Chi Exercise for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Lung Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Effects of T’ai Chi Exercise on Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life A randomized controlled trial of 8-form Tai chi improves symptoms and functional mobility in fibromyalgia patients Cystic fibrosis—Children and adults Tai Chi study (CF CATS2): Can Tai Chi improve symptoms and quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis? Second phase study protocol Qigong/tai chi for sleep and fatigue in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a randomized controlled trial An evaluation of the effects of Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung training in patients with symptomatic heart failure: a randomised controlled pilot study A randomized controlled trial on the psychophysiological effects of physical exercise and Tai-chi in patients with chronic schizophrenia Taoist Tai Chi® and Memory Intervention for Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Children and Adults Tai Chi Study (CF-CATS2): a randomised controlled feasibility study comparing internet-delivered with face-to-face Tai Chi lessons in cystic fibrosis Qigong and Tai-Chi for Mood Regulation. A randomized controlled trial of Tai chi for balance, sleep quality and cognitive performance in elderly Vietnamese A pilot study exploring the effects of a 12-week t'ai chi intervention on somatic symptoms of depression in patients with heart failure. Changes in heart rate, noradrenaline, cortisol and mood during Tai Chi. The sustaining effects of Tai chi Qigong on physiological health for COPD patients: a randomized controlled trial.
Background Patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis ( MS ) experience a wide array of symptoms , including balance problems , mobility impairment , fatigue and depression . Physical exercise has recently been acknowledged as a treatment option complementary to medication . However , information regarding putative effects of structured exercise programs on neurological symptoms is sparse . Tai Chi , a Chinese martial art incorporating physical exercise and mindfulness training , has been shown to yield health benefits in various neurological groups . It seems particularly suitable for patients with motoric deficits as it challenges coordination and balance . The purpose of the current study was to explore the therapeutic value of structured Tai Chi training for coordination , balance , fatigue and depression in mildly disabled MS patients . Methods A sample of 32 MS patients ( Exp and ed Disability Status Scale , EDSS < 5 ) was examined . A structured Tai Chi course was devised and a Tai Chi group participated in two weekly sessions of 90 minutes duration for six months , while a comparison group received treatment as usual ( TAU ) . Both groups were examined prior to and following the six-months interval with regards to balance and coordination performance as well as measures of fatigue , depression and life satisfaction . Results Following the intervention , the Tai Chi group showed significant , consistent improvements in balance , coordination , and depression , relative to the TAU group ( range of effect-sizes : partial η2 = 0.16 – 0.20 ) . Additionally , life satisfaction improved ( partial η2 = 0.31 ) . Fatigue deteriorated in the comparison group , whereas it remained relatively stable in the Tai Chi group ( partial η2 = 0.24 ) . Conclusions The consistent pattern of results confirms that Tai Chi holds therapeutic potential for MS patients . Further research is needed to determine underlying working mechanisms , and to verify the results in a larger sample and different MS subgroups The present study examined the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi ( TC ) training regimen on heart rate variability ( HRV ) , symptomatology , muscle fitness and body composition in women with fibromyalgia . Participants were r and omly assigned to either a  TC training group ( n = 18 ) or a  control group ( n = 19 ) .  HRV , symptomatology , muscle fitness and body composition were measured before and after 12 weeks . There were significant decreases ( p < 0.05 ) in sympathovagal balance ( LnLF/LnHF ) , sympathetic tone ( LnLF , nLF ) , pain , and fatigue , and significant increases ( p < 0.05 ) in parasympathetic tone ( LnHF , nHF ) , strength and flexibility following TC compared with no changes after control . The changes in LnLF and LnLF/LnHF were correlated with changes in pain . There were no significant changes in HR , sleep quality and body composition after TC or control . TC may be an effective therapeutic intervention for improving sympathovagal balance , pain , fatigue , strength and flexibility in women with fibromyalgia Background Many breast cancer survivors experience fatigue , mood , and sleep disturbances .  Purpose This study aims to compare a meditative movement practice , Qigong/Tai Chi Easy ( QG/TCE ) with sham Qigong ( SQG ) , testing effects of meditation/breath aspects of QG/TCE on breast cancer survivors ’ persistent fatigue and other symptoms . Methods This double-blind , r and omized controlled trial tested 12 weeks of QG/TCE versus SQG on fatigue , depression , and sleep among 87 postmenopausal , fatigued breast cancer survivors , stages 0–III , age 40–75 .  Results Fatigue decreased significantly in the QG/TCE group compared to control at post-intervention ( p = 0.005 ) and 3 months follow-up ( p = 0.024 ) , but not depression and sleep quality . Improvement occurred over time for both interventions in depression and sleep quality ( all p < 0.05 ) . Conclusions QG/TCE showed significant improvement over time compared to SQG  for fatigue , but not depression or sleep . Both QG/TCE and SQG showed improvement for two prevalent symptoms among breast cancer survivors , depression and sleep dysfunction CONTEXT Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese health-promoting exercise . It has been shown to enhance mental health and improve psychological condition . OBJECTIVES We aim ed to assess the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise for cancer-related fatigue in patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy . METHODS We conducted a r and omized trial of Tai Chi exercise as compared with low-impact exercise as a control intervention . Exercises were practice d every other day , a one-hour session for 12 weeks for each of the study groups . The primary end point was a change in total score of the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form ( MFSI-SF ) . Secondary end points were changes in five subscale scores of the MFSI-SF . All assessment s were repeated at three time points , T0 : before first course of chemotherapy ; T1 : before third course of chemotherapy ; and T2 : at the end of the fourth course of chemotherapy . RESULTS Between January 2012 and December 2014 , 96 patients were enrolled in this trial . At six and 12 weeks , the Tai Chi group had a lower MFSI-SF total score compared with the control group ( 59.5 ± 11.3 vs. 66.8 ± 11.9 , P < 0.05 ; 53.3 ± 11.8 vs. 59.3 ± 12.2 , P < 0.05 ) . At six weeks , the Tai Chi group had lower MFSI-SF general subscale scores ( 18.1 ± 4.6 vs. 20.4 ± 4.5 , P < 0.05 ) and physical subscale scores ( 17.5 ± 4.4 vs. 19.1 ± 4.5 , P < 0.05 ) , and higher MFSI-SF vigor subscale scores ( 14.5 ± 3.3 vs. 11.6 ± 3.4 , P < 0.05 ) , compared with the control group . But no significant differences were found in emotional subscale ( 20.2 ± 3.6 vs. 20.0 ± 3.5 , P > 0.05 ) and mental subscale ( 18.2 ± 4.0 vs. 18.9 ± 3.9 , P > 0.05 ) scores between the Tai Chi group and the control group . At 12 weeks , the MFSI-SF subscale scores showed the same trends as at six weeks . CONCLUSION Tai Chi is an effective intervention for managing cancer-related fatigue in patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy , especially for decreasing general fatigue and physical fatigue , and increasing vigor Background Fibromyalgia ( FM ) , one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders , is associated with high levels of impaired health and inadequate or limited symptom relief . The cause of this complex syndrome is unknown , and there is no known cure . Numerous research results indicate that a combination of physical exercise and mind-body therapy is effective in symptom management .  T’ai Chi , an ancient Chinese exercise , combines physical exercise with mind-body therapy . Purpose To investigate the effects of T’ai Chi exercise on FM symptoms and health-related quality of life . Design Pilot study , one group pre-to-post posttest design . Methods Participants with FM ( n = 39 ) formed a single group for 6 weeks of 1-hour , twice weekly T’ai Chi exercise classes .  FM symptoms and health-related quality of life were measured before and after exercise . Findings Twenty-one participants completed at least 10 of the 12 exercise sessions . Although the dropout rate was higher than expected , measurements on both the Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( FIQ ) ( Buckhardt , Clark , & Bennett , 1991 ) and the Short Form-36 ( SF-36 ) ( Ware & Sherbourne , 1992 ) revealed statistically significant improvement in symptom management and health-related quality of life . Implication s for Nursing Research Knowledge of interventions to enhance health for the patient with musculoskeletal problems is a National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses priority . T’ai Chi is potentially beneficial to patients with FM . Further research is needed to support evidence -based practice Previous research ers have found that 10-form Tai chi yields symptomatic benefit in patients with fibromyalgia ( FM ) . The purpose of this study was to further investigate earlier findings and add a focus on functional mobility . We conducted a parallel-group r and omized controlled trial FM-modified 8-form Yang-style Tai chi program compared to an education control . Participants met in small groups twice weekly for 90 min over 12 weeks . The primary endpoint was symptom reduction and improvement in self-report physical function , as measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( FIQ ) , from baseline to 12 weeks . Secondary endpoints included pain severity and interference ( Brief Pain Inventory ( BPI ) , sleep ( Pittsburg sleep Inventory ) , self-efficacy , and functional mobility . Of the 101 r and omly assigned subjects ( mean age 54 years , 93 % female ) , those in the Tai chi condition compared with the education condition demonstrated clinical ly and statistically significant improvements in FIQ scores ( 16.5 vs. 3.1 , p = 0.0002 ) , BPI pain severity ( 1.2 vs. 0.4 , p = 0.0008 ) , BPI pain interference ( 2.1 vs. 0.6 , p = 0.0000 ) , sleep ( 2.0 vs. −0.03 , p = 0.0003 ) , and self-efficacy for pain control ( 9.2 vs. −1.5 , p = 0.0001 ) . Functional mobility variables including timed get up and go ( −.9 vs. −.3 , p = 0.0001 ) , static balance ( 7.5 vs. −0.3 , p = 0.0001 ) , and dynamic balance ( 1.6 vs. 0.3 , p = 0.0001 ) were significantly improved with Tai chi compared with education control . No adverse events were noted . Twelve weeks of Tai chi , practice twice weekly , provided worthwhile improvement in common FM symptoms including pain and physical function including mobility .  Tai chi appears to be a safe and an acceptable exercise modality that may be useful as adjunctive therapy in the management of FM patients . ( Clinical Trials.gov Identifier , NCT01311427 Background Cystic fibrosis ( CF ) is a genetic disorder affecting respiratory and digestive systems . People with CF experience physical symptoms ; cough , poor lung ventilation , recurrent infections , poor weight gain , diarrhoea , and malnutrition , as well as lower quality of life .  Tai Chi , a Chinese form of meditative movement , may help with the symptoms of CF and help people with CF to exercise . However , there is very little research in this area . Objective To evaluate the feasibility of study ing Tai Chi for CF and to compare the effectiveness of Tai Chi to st and ard care and face-to-face Tai Chi with online Tai Chi for people with CF . Methods This is a comparative effectiveness trial with 72 people with CF over 6 years old and a patient at the Royal Brompton Hospital , London , UK . Participants receive 8 Tai Chi sessions , then home practice with a DVD . Sessions are one-on-one for group A , online for group B. Group B is a no treatment st and ard care control ( first 3 months ) . At baseline , 3 , 6 and 9 months , question naires will be used to measure quality of life , mindfulness and sleep , and medical data health and respiratory function . At Tai Chi sessions and at 4 follow-up points , the Borg Scale and healthcare use data will be collected . At 9 months online focus groups will assess participants ’ experience , Tai Chi feasibility , perceived health impact , and study participation . Recruitment will use adverts in hospital clinics and website , and letter/phone for non-regularly attending patients . Block r and omisation will use r and om number tables . The two groups will be compared for : weeks 1 to 12 ( Tai Chi vs. st and ard care ) ; before and after intervention ( differences in delivery method ) ; week 1 ( of intervention ) to month 9 ( long-term impact ) . Qualitative data will use Framework analysis . Discussion We believe this is the first trial of Tai Chi for CF . Tai Chi may help with the physiological symptoms of CF and increase levels of exercise by providing a self-management technique and low stress activity . This study will provide data on the feasibility of a r and omized controlled trial of Tai Chi for CF , including data for a sample size calculation and will inform future study design OBJECTIVES Sleep disturbances and fatigue are common in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy . Prior research suggests mind-body techniques may improve these outcomes . We conducted a r and omized controlled trial of qigong/tai chi ( QGTC ) in men with prostate cancer undergoing radiotherapy .  METHODS Men with prostate cancer starting definitive radiation were r and omized to 1 of 3 groups : ( 1 ) QGTC ; ( 2 ) light exercise ( LE ) ; or ( 3 ) waiting list control .  Sleep disturbances ( Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ) and fatigue ( Brief Fatigue Inventory ) were assessed at baseline , midway through radiotherapy ( T2 ) , during the last week of radiotherapy ( T3 ) , and at 1 ( T4 ) and 3 months ( T5 ) after the end of radiotherapy . Patients in the QGTC and LE groups attended three 40-minute classes per week throughout radiotherapy . RESULTS Ninety patients were r and omized to the 3 groups ( QGTC = 26 ; LE = 26 ; waiting list control = 24 ) . The QGTC group reported longer sleep duration midway through radiotherapy ( QGTC = 7.01 h ; LE = 6.42 ; WL = 6.50 ; P = .05 ) , but this difference did not persist over time . There were no group differences in other domains of sleep or fatigue . Exploratory analyses conducted to examine the effect of health-related quality of life ( Exp and ed Prostate Cancer Index Composite and American Urological Association Symptom score ) on sleep and fatigue showed significant correlations across multiple domains . CONCLUSIONS Qigong/tai chi during radiation for prostate cancer result ed in superior sleep duration midway through radiation , but this effect was not durable , and there were no differences in other domains of sleep or fatigue . Exploratory analysis demonstrated that both sleep and fatigue were highly correlated with prostate cancer-related physical symptoms . Future mind-body intervention studies should incorporate multimodal therapy focused on improving physical symptoms in this population Objective : To study the effect of Tai Chi on exercise tolerance in patients with moderate heart failure . Design : R and omised parallel group study balanced for baseline variables . Setting : Cardiology Department , Royal Hallamshire Hospital . Patients and methods : 52 patients 42 men , mean age 68.9 years , range 4690 years , and 10 women , mean age 70.0 years , range 5882 with chronic heart failure New York Heart Association symptom class IIIII were studied . Patients were r and omised to Tai Chi Chuan twice a week for 16 weeks or to st and ard medical care without exercise rehabilitation . Main outcome measures : The primary outcome measure was the change in the distance walked in the shuttle walk test . Secondary outcome measures were changes in symptom scores and quality of life indices . Results : Objective measures of exercise tolerance did not improve significantly with Tai Chi , but patients having Tai Chi exercise had an improvement in symptom scores of heart failure measured by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Question naire comparison of deltas , 2.4 control vs 14.9 ; p0.01 , and depression scores measured by the SCL-90-R question naire 2.9 vs 6.8 ; p0.12 compared with those patients in the control group . Conclusion : In patients with chronic heart failure , 16 weeks of Tai Chi training was safe , with no adverse exercise related problems . It was enjoyed by all taking part and led to significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life The chronic and prevalent natures of schizophrenia result in long-term institutionalization for the patients . Conventional treatment of anti-psychotic medication on management of psychotic symptoms often brings on severe side effects and reduces patients ' well-being . Tai-chi is a mind-body exercise that underscores motor coordination and relaxation . This 3-arm r and omized controlled trial investigated the psychophysiological benefits of Tai-chi on 153 chronic schizophrenia patients , who were recruited from a mental health rehab complex and r and omized into Tai-chi , exercise , or waitlist control groups . Both intervention groups received 12weeks of specific intervention plus st and ard medication received by the controls . All participants completed psychiatric interviews , self-report question naires , performance tasks , and salivary cortisol measures at baseline , 3-month , and 6-month follow-up on psychotic symptoms , motor coordination , memory , daily living function , and stress . Multigroup latent growth modeling was used to evaluate the intervention effects on the outcomes . Compared to controls , the Tai-chi group showed significant decreases in motor deficits and increases in backward digit span and mean cortisol , while the exercise group displayed significant decreases in motor deficits , negative and depression symptoms and increases in forward digit span , daily living function , and mean cortisol . The two interventions did not show significantly different therapeutic effects , except for fewer symptom manifestations in the exercise group . These results suggest psychophysiological benefits for Tai-chi on chronic schizophrenia patients in terms of motor coordination and memory . Though both Tai-chi and exercise groups tended to manifest fewer symptoms than the control group , the exercise group showed better symptoms management than the Tai-chi group OBJECTIVE It was hypothesized that a combined Taoist Tai Chi ( TTC ) and a memory intervention program ( MIP ) would be superior to a MIP alone in improving everyday memory behaviors in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment ( aMCI ) . A secondary hypothesis was that TTC would improve cognition , self-reported health status , gait , and balance . METHOD A total of 48 individuals were r and omly assigned to take part in MIP + TTC or MIP alone . The TTC intervention consisted of twenty 90 min sessions . Outcome measures were given at baseline , and after 10 and 22 weeks . RESULTS Both groups significantly increased their memory strategy knowledge and use , ratings of physical health , processing speed , everyday memory , and visual attention . No preferential benefit was found for individuals in the MIP + TTC group on cognition , gait , or balance measures . CONCLUSIONS Contrary to expectations , TTC exercise did not specifically improve cognition or physical mobility . Explanations for null findings are explored Virtual healthcare is fast entering medical practice . Research into the feasibility of using it to teach treatment regimens such as exercise has not been explored . Maintaining an exercise regime can be difficult in cystic fibrosis : group classes risk potential infection , yet motivation is hard to maintain when alone . Tai Chi is a low-impact exercise and involves gentle , dem and ing movements . This study aim ed to assess the feasibility , safety and acceptability of learning Tai Chi via an internet-based approach and compared patient-reported outcomes . Children and adults with cystic fibrosis were recruited to a r and omised , comparative effectiveness trial . Participants learnt eight Tai Chi movements ; teaching was delivered in eight lessons over 3 months : delivered either via the internet or face-to-face . Assessment s were at 3-monthly intervals over 9 months . Outcomes included health status , quality of life , sleep , mindfulness and instructor-led questions . 40 adults and children completed the eight sets of Tai Chi  lessons . The median age was 22.8 years ( range 6.1–51.5 years ) ; 27 patients were female . The cohort comprised 26 adults ( aged > 16 years ) , six teenagers and eight children ( aged < 12 years ) . The groups were well matched . Feasibility and safety were demonstrated . Participants showed significant improvements in self-reported sleep , cough ( both daytime and night-time ) , stomach ache and breathing . No differences in lung function , health status , quality of life , sleep or mindfulness was shown before or after completing the lessons . Tai Chi was safe and well tolerated ; it was feasible to deliver individual lessons via the internet , reducing concerns regarding cross-infection , and appeared to improve self-reported symptoms . R and omised controlled trial of Tai Chi in cystic fibrosis Qigong and Tai-Chi are traditional self-healing , self-cultivation exercises originating in ancient China . These exercises are characterized by coordinated body posture and movements , deep rhythmic breathing , meditation , and mental focus based on traditional Chinese medicine theories . Although the exact mechanisms of Qigong 's and Tai-Chi 's effects on physical and mental well-being are unknown , these practice s may be viewed as meditative movements and share many of the healing elements observed in mindfulness meditation . Clinical studies including r and omized controlled trials and meta-analyses have shown that both Qigong and Tai-Chi have beneficial effects on psychological well-being and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression .  Qigong and Tai-Chi frequently involve anchoring attention to interoceptive sensations related to breath or other parts of the body , which has been shown to enhance nonreactivity to aversive thoughts and impulses . Preliminary studies suggest that the slow movements in Qigong and Tai-Chi with slowing of breath frequency could alter the autonomic system and restore homeostasis , attenuating stress related to hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity and modulating the balance of the autonomic nervous system toward parasympathetic dominance . Qigong 's and Tai-Chi 's effects on emotion regulation could occur through changes in multiple prefrontal regions , the limbic system , and the striatum or in the expression of genes linked to inflammatory responses and stress-related pathways Objective To evaluate the effects of Tai chi exercise on balance , sleep quality , and cognitive performance in community-dwelling elderly in Vinh city , Vietnam . Design A r and omized controlled trial . Participants One hundred two subjects were recruited . Intervention Subjects were divided r and omly into two groups . The Tai chi group was assigned 6 months ’ Tai chi training . The control group was instructed to maintain their routine daily activities . Outcome measures The Falls Efficacy Scale ( FES ) , Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ( PSQI ) , and Trail Making Test ( TMT ) were used as primary outcome measures . Results Participants in the Tai chi group reported significant improvement in TMT ( part A ) ( F [ 1 , 71 ] = 78.37 , P < 0.001 ) and in TMT ( part B ) , ( F [ 1 , 71 ] = 175.00 , P < 0.001 ) in comparison with the control group . Tai chi participants also reported better scores in FES ( F [ 1 , 71 ] = 96.90 , P < 0.001 ) and in PSQI ( F [ 1,71 ] = 43.69 , P = 0.001 ) than the control group . Conclusion Tai chi is beneficial to improve balance , sleep quality , and cognitive performance of the elderly BACKGROUND Patients with chronic heart failure ( HF ) and with elevated depression symptoms are at greater risk of morbidity and mortality . Somatic symptoms of depression are particularly prevalent in HF and are related to worse disease prognosis . T'ai chi practice is related to increased emotional well-being in various clinical population s ; however , relatively little is known about t'ai chi 's effects on somatic versus cognitive symptom dimensions of depression in HF . PURPOSE The objective of the study was to measure whether a t'ai chi intervention effectively reduces somatic and /or cognitive symptoms of depression in patients with HF . METHODS Patients with HF were assigned to either t'ai chi training ( n=16 ) or a usual-care group ( n=12 ) . At baseline and after the 12-week intervention period , participants were evaluated for changes in depressive symptoms using Beck Depression Inventory ( BDI ) total scores ( BDI-t ) and subcategorized scores of BDI-somatic ( BDI-s ) and BDI-cognitive ( BDI-c ) , and for symptoms of fatigue using the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form . RESULTS Patients with HF in the t'ai chi group compared to the  usual-care  group had reduced BDI-s ( p≤0.017 ) , but not BDI-c ( p=0.50 ) scores from pre- to postintervention . Although t'ai chi did not significantly reduce fatigue , changes in physical fatigue ( p≤0.05 ) were independently associated with changes in BDI-t scores . CONCLUSIONS T'ai chi practice  reduced somatic symptoms of depression , which have been linked to worse prognosis in HF . Reductions in fatigue appear to explain some but not all of the reductions in somatic symptoms of depression Changes in psychological and physiological functioning following participation in Tai Chi  were assessed for 33 beginners and 33 practitioners . The variables in the three-way factorial design were experience ( beginners vs practitioners ) , time ( morning vs afternoon vs evening ) , and phase ( before Tai Chi vs during Tai Chi vs after Tai Chi ) . Phase was a repeated measures variable . Relative to measures taken beforeh and , practice of Tai Chi  raised heart rate , increased noradrenaline excretion in urine , and decreased salivary cortisol concentration . Relative to baseline levels , subjects reported less tension , depression , anger , fatigue , confusion and state-anxiety , they felt more vigorous , and in general they had less total mood disturbance . The data suggest that Tai Chi results in gains that are comparable to those found with moderate exercise . There is need for research concerned with whether participation in Tai Chi has effects over and above those associated with physical exercise OBJECTIVES To evaluate the sustaining effects of Tai chi Qigong in improving the physiological health for COPD patients at sixth month . DESIGN A r and omized controlled trial . Subjects were in three r and omly assigned groups : Tai chi Qigong group , exercise group , and control group . SETTING The 206 subjects were recruited from five general outpatient clinics . INTERVENTIONS Tai chi Qigong group completed a 3-month Tai chi Qigong program . Exercise group practice d breathing and walking as an exercise . Control group received usual care . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcomes included six-minute walking distance and lung functions . Secondary outcomes were dyspnea and fatigue levels , number of exacerbations and hospital admissions . RESULTS Tai chi Qigong group showed a steady improvement in exercise capacity ( P<.001 ) from baseline to the sixth month . The mean walking distance increased from 298 to 349 meters ( + 17 % ) . No significant changes were noted in the other two groups . Tai chi Qigong group also showed improvement in lung functions ( P<.001 ) . Mean forced expiratory volume in 1s increased from .89 to .99l ( + 11 % ) . No significant change was noted in the exercise group . Deterioration was found in the control group , with mean volume decreased from .89 to .84l ( -5.67 % ) . Significant decreased in the number of exacerbations was observed in the Tai chi Qigong group . No changes in dyspnea and fatigue levels were noted among the three groups . CONCLUSIONS Tai chi Qigong has sustaining effects in improving the physiological health and is a useful and appropriate exercise for COPD patients
The results suggest that Tai Chi could be an effective alternative and /or complementary approach to existing therapies for people with fatigue .
There is still absence of adverse events data to evaluate the safety of Tai Chi .
BACKGROUND Fatigue is not only a familiar symptom in our daily lives , but also a common ailment that affects all of our bodily systems .
Several r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) have proven Tai Chi to be beneficial for patients suffering from fatigue , however conclusive evidence is still lacking .