title: The effects of tai chi in centrally obese adults with depression symptoms.
abstract: This study examined the effects of Tai Chi, a low-impact mind-body movement therapy, on severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in centrally obese people with elevated depression symptoms. In total, 213 participants were randomized to a 24-week Tai Chi intervention program or a wait-list control group. Assessments were conducted at baseline and 12 and 24 weeks. Outcomes were severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, leg strength, central obesity, and other measures of metabolic symptom. There were statistically significant between-group differences in favor of the Tai Chi group in depression (mean difference = -5.6 units, P < 0.001), anxiety (-2.3 units, P < 0.01), and stress (-3.6 units, P < 0.001) symptom scores and leg strength (1.1 units, P < 0.001) at 12 weeks. These changes were further improved or maintained in the Tai Chi group relative to the control group during the second 12 weeks of follow-up. Tai Chi appears to be beneficial for reducing severity of depression, anxiety, and stress and leg strength in centrally obese people with depression symptoms. More studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm the findings. This trial is registered with ACTRN12613000010796.
authors: The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia ; Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, China ; Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China.
authors: Xin
authors: X
authors: Liu
authors: The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia.
authors: Luis
authors: 0000-0002-7490-9298
authors: L
authors: Vitetta
authors: The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia ; Mater Health Services, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia.
authors: Karam
authors: K
authors: Kostner
authors: The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia ; Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia ; Centre for Neuroscience, Recovery and Mental Health, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Crompton
authors: The University of Queensland School of Public Health, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.
authors: Gail
authors: G
authors: Williams
authors: The University of Queensland School of Human Movement Studies, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors: Wendy J
authors: WJ
authors: Brown
authors: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Lopez
authors: RMIT University School of Health Sciences, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia.
authors: Charlie C
authors: CC
authors: Xue
authors: The University of Queensland School of Psychology, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors: Tian P
authors: TP
authors: Oei
authors: The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia ; Mental Health Service, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia.
authors: Gerard
authors: G
authors: Byrne
authors: The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia ; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
authors: Jennifer H
authors: JH
authors: Martin
authors: The University of Queensland School of Public Health, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.
authors: Harvey
authors: H
authors: Whiteford