IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v15y2018i12p2771-d188645.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Effects of Tai Chi on Heart Rate Variability in Older Chinese Individuals with Depression

Author

Listed:
  • Jing Liu

    (Department of Martial Arts, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
    Department of Psychology, School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Huihui Xie

    (Department of Martial Arts, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
    Department of Sports, Nanjing University of Science and Technology ZiJin College, Nanjing 210023, China)

  • Ming Liu

    (School of Physical Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China)

  • Zongbao Wang

    (School of Acupuncture and Tuina, University of Chinese Medicine, Anhui 230038, China)

  • Liye Zou

    (Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China)

  • Albert S. Yeung

    (Depression Clinical and Research Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA)

  • Stanley Sai-chuen Hui

    (Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China)

  • Qing Yang

    (Department of Martial Arts, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China)

Abstract

Background Very little research has been done to simultaneously investigate the effects of Tai Chi (TC) on depression and heart rate variability (HRV). This study, therefore, attempted to explore the effects of TC on depression and on HRV parameters. Methods Sixty older individuals with depression score of 10 or above (the Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS) were randomly assigned into two groups: TC ( n = 30) and control group ( n = 30). Participants in the experimental group participated in a 24-week TC training program (three 60-min sessions per week), whereas individuals in the control group maintained their unaltered lifestyle. Depression and HRV were measured using the GDS and digital electrocardiogram at baseline and after the 24-week intervention. Results The TC had produced significant positive chances in depression and some HRV parameters (mean heart rate, RMSSD, HF, LFnorm, and HFnorm) ( p < 0.05), whereas these positive results were not observed in the control group. Conclusions The results of this study indicated that TC may alleviate depression of the elderly through modulating autonomous nervous system or HRV parameters. This study adds to a growing body of research showing that TC may be effective in treating depression of the elderly. Tai Chi as a mild to moderate mind-body exercise is suitable for older individuals who suffer from depression.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Liu & Huihui Xie & Ming Liu & Zongbao Wang & Liye Zou & Albert S. Yeung & Stanley Sai-chuen Hui & Qing Yang, 2018. "The Effects of Tai Chi on Heart Rate Variability in Older Chinese Individuals with Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:12:p:2771-:d:188645
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/12/2771/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/12/2771/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Liye Zou & Chaoyi Wang & Kevin Chen & Yankai Shu & Xiaoan Chen & Lin Luo & Xitang Zhao, 2017. "The Effect of Taichi Practice on Attenuating Bone Mineral Density Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-19, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Shu Zhang & Liye Zou & Li-Zhen Chen & Ying Yao & Paul D. Loprinzi & Parco M. Siu & Gao-Xia Wei, 2019. "The Effect of Tai Chi Chuan on Negative Emotions in Non-Clinical Populations: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Lijuan Guo & Zhaowei Kong & Yanjie Zhang, 2019. "Qigong-Based Therapy for Treating Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Norliyana Abdullah Sani & Siti Suhaila Mohd Yusoff & Mohd Noor Norhayati & Aida Maziha Zainudin, 2023. "Tai Chi Exercise for Mental and Physical Well-Being in Patients with Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Zaimin Li & Shijie Liu & Lin Wang & Lee Smith, 2019. "Mind–Body Exercise for Anxiety and Depression in COPD Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-15, December.
    5. Jing Liu & Albert Yeung & Tao Xiao & Xiaopei Tian & Zhaowei Kong & Liye Zou & Xueqiang Wang, 2019. "Chen-Style Tai Chi for Individuals (Aged 50 Years Old or Above) with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-9, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Liye Zou & Yangjie Zhang & Jeffer Eidi Sasaki & Albert S. Yeung & Lin Yang & Paul D. Loprinzi & Jian Sun & Shijie Liu & Jane Jie Yu & Shengyan Sun & Yuqiang Mai, 2019. "Wuqinxi Qigong as an Alternative Exercise for Improving Risk Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Liye Zou & Albert Yeung & Xinfeng Quan & Sean David Boyden & Huiru Wang, 2018. "A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Mindfulness-Based (Baduanjin) Exercise for Alleviating Musculoskeletal Pain and Improving Sleep Quality in People with Chronic Diseases," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Liye Zou & Albert Yeung & Nan Zeng & Chaoyi Wang & Li Sun & Garrett Anthony Thomas & Huiru Wang, 2018. "Effects of Mind-Body Exercises for Mood and Functional Capabilities in Patients with Stroke: An Analytical Review of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-13, April.
    4. Shengwen Zhou & Yanjie Zhang & Zhaowei Kong & Paul D. Loprinzi & Yang Hu & Jiajie Ye & Shijie Liu & Jane Jie Yu & Liye Zou, 2019. "The Effects of Tai Chi on Markers of Atherosclerosis, Lower-limb Physical Function, and Cognitive Ability in Adults Aged Over 60: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-12, March.
    5. Jing Liu & Albert Yeung & Tao Xiao & Xiaopei Tian & Zhaowei Kong & Liye Zou & Xueqiang Wang, 2019. "Chen-Style Tai Chi for Individuals (Aged 50 Years Old or Above) with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-9, February.
    6. Liye Zou & Albert Yeung & Chunxiao Li & Shin-Yi Chiou & Nan Zeng & Huey-Ming Tzeng & Lin Wang & Zhanbing Ren & Taquesha Dean & Garrett Anthony Thomas, 2018. "Effects of Mind–Body Movements on Balance Function in Stroke Survivors: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, June.
    7. Xiaohu Jin & Lin Wang & Shijie Liu & Lin Zhu & Paul Dinneen Loprinzi & Xin Fan, 2019. "The Impact of Mind-Body Exercises on Motor Function, Depressive Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-16, December.
    8. Yanjie Zhang & Chunxiao Li & Liye Zou & Xiaolei Liu & Wook Song, 2018. "The Effects of Mind-Body Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-16, December.
    9. Zhaowei Kong & Tat-Ming Sze & Jane Jie Yu & Paul D. Loprinzi & Tao Xiao & Albert S. Yeung & Chunxiao Li & Hua Zhang & Liye Zou, 2019. "Tai Chi as an Alternative Exercise to Improve Physical Fitness for Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-12, March.
    10. Shi-Jie Liu & Zhanbing Ren & Lin Wang & Gao-Xia Wei & Liye Zou, 2018. "Mind–Body (Baduanjin) Exercise Prescription for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-19, August.
    11. Liye Zou & Chaoyi Wang & Xiaoan Chen & Huiru Wang, 2018. "Baduanjin Exercise for Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-10, March.
    12. Liye Zou & Albert Yeung & Xinfeng Quan & Stanley Sai-Chuen Hui & Xiaoyue Hu & Jessie S. M. Chan & Chaoyi Wang & Sean David Boyden & Li Sun & Huiru Wang, 2018. "Mindfulness-Based Baduanjin Exercise for Depression and Anxiety in People with Physical or Mental Illnesses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:12:p:2771-:d:188645. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.