Associations between Tai Chi Chung Program, Anxiety, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors
American Journal of Health Promotion
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Date:
2013/09//
Pages:
16 - 22
Sources ID:
85906
Collection:
Contemplative Practices and Breath Research
Visibility:
Public (group default)
Abstract:
(Show)
Purpose. To examine the effects of a Tai Chi Chung (TCC) program, an efficiency approach, on anxiety and cardiovascular risk factors. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) reDesign. A quasi-experimental study. main the leading cause of morbidity Setting. A community in Taipei City, Taixuan. and mortality worldwide and constitute Subjects. One hundred thirty-three adults aged 55 years and older. a major problem to medical science and Intervention. Sixty-four participants (experimental group) attended a 60-minute Tai Chi exercise three public health.' In Taiwan, heart disease times per lueekfor 12 weeks, whereas 69 participants (control group) maintained their usual daily activities. and CVD are the second and third Measures. Anxiety states, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass leading causes of death, respectively.^ index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks into the experiment, and 12 weeks into tlie experiment. Analysis. Generalized estimjiting equations were used to evaluate the changes.Results. Participants showed a greater drop in anxiety levels (ß = -2.57, p= .001) and DBP (ß = -7.02, p < .001) at the 12-week follow-up than did the controls. SBP significantly decreased in the 6-week follow-up and 12-week folloxo-up tests. The participants in the intervention achieved a greater drop in BMJ at the 6-week and 12-zueek follow-up visits than the controls. The interventions demonstrated decreased average WC at the 6-week and 12-week folhw-up visits as compared to tlie controls.
Conclusion. The results highlight the long-term benefits of a TCC program in facilitating health promotion by reducing anxiety and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. (Am f Health Promot 201328[l]:16-22.)