The beneficial effects of Tai Chi Chuan on blood pressure and lipid profile and anxiety status in a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects on blood pressure, lipid profile, and anxiety status on subjects received a 12-week Tai Chi Chuan exercise program.


METHODS
Randomized controlled study of a Tai Chi Chuan group and a group of sedentary life controls.


METHODS
Taipei Medical University Hospitals and University campus in the Taipei, Taiwan, area.


METHODS
Two (2) selected groups of 76 healthy subjects with blood pressure at high-normal or stage I hypertension.


METHODS
A 12-week Tai Chi Chuan exercise training program was practiced regularly with a frequency of 3 times per week. Each session included 10-minute warm-up, 30-minute Tai Chi exercise, 10-minute cool-down. Exercise intensity was estimated to be approximately 64% of maximal heart rate.


METHODS
Blood pressure, lipid profile and anxiety status (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; STAI) were evaluated.


RESULTS
After 12-weeks of Tai Chi training, the treatment group showed significant decrease in systolic blood pressure of 15.6 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure 8.8 mm Hg. The serum total cholesterol level decreased 15.2 mg/dL and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased 4.7 mg/dL. By using STAI evaluation, both trait anxiety and state anxiety were decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that under well-designed conditions, Tai Chi exercise training could decrease blood pressure and results in favorable lipid profile changes and improve subjects' anxiety status. Therefore, Tai Chi could be used as an alternative modality in treating patients with mild hypertension, with a promising economic effect.
Tsai
Jen-Chen
JC
Institute of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, People's Republic of China.
Wang
Wei-Hsin
WH
Chan
Paul
P
Lin
Li-Jung
LJ
Wang
Chia-Huei
CH
Tomlinson
Brian
B
Hsieh
Ming-Hsiung
MH
Yang
Hung-Yu
HY
Liu
Ju-Chi
JC
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026302:Tai Ji; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol