Tai Chi Linked to Improved Mood and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease

A meta-analysis of 15 studies on tai chi published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing determined that the mind-body exercise can lift the mood and quality of life of older adults with cardiovascular disease, reports MinnPost . "There are physical benefits like improved balance, and it's good for mental health too," said University of Arizona Professor Ruth Taylor-Piliae. The studies focused on English- and German-language clinical trials in Asia, North America, and Europe over the last 10 years, covering 1,853 participants mainly in their 60s with high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure, or history of stroke. Generally, older adults assigned to tai chi courses reported significantly better quality of life and less depression and psychological strain at than those in control groups. The researchers did not find a statistically significant association between tai chi and reduced anxiety, possibly because few studies measured anxiety. Tai chi appears to yield different benefits to people with cardiovascular disease based on their diagnosis. For example, tai chi participants with coronary heart disease had significantly better psychological quality of life than the controls, while those with high blood pressure reported significantly better physical health quality of life. Meanwhile, tai chi participants with chronic heart failure did not see significant improvement in quality of life, but had less depression and psychological distress versus controls.