The effects of Tai Chi on cardiovascular risk in Women

Jo Lynne Robins, R. K. Elswick, Jamie Sturgill, Nancy L. McCain

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose. This study examined the effects of tai chi (TC) on biobehavioral factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in women. Design. A randomized trial used a wait-list control group, pretest-posttest design. Data were collected immediately before, immediately after, and 2 months following the intervention. Setting. The study was community based in central Virginia. Subjects. Women aged 35 to 50 years at increased risk for CVD. Intervention. The 8-week intervention built on prior work and was designed to impact biobehavioral factors associated with CVD risk in women. Measures. Biological measures included fasting glucose, insulin, and lipids as well as C-reactive protein and cytokines. Behavioral measures included fatigue, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, social support, mindfulness, self-compassion, and spiritual thoughts and behaviors. Analysis. A mixed effects linear model was used to test for differences between groups across time. Results. In 63 women, TC was shown to decrease fatigue (- [difference in group means] = 9.38, p =.001) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (- = 12.61, p =.052). Consistent with the study model and intervention design, significant changes observed 2 months post intervention indicated that TC may help down-regulate proinflammatory cytokines associated with underlying CVD risk, including interferon gamma (- = 149.90, p =.002), tumor necrosis factor (- = 16.78, p =.002), interleukin (IL) 8 (- = 6.47, p =.026), and IL-4 (- = 2.13, p =.001), and may increase mindfulness (- =.54, p =.021), spiritual thoughts and behaviors (- = 8.30, p =.009), and self-compassion (- =.44, p =.045). Conclusion. This study contributes important insights into the potential benefits and mechanisms of TC and, with further research, may ultimately lead to effective strategies for reducing CVD risk in women earlier in the CVD trajectory.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)613-622
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican Journal of Health Promotion
Volume30
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© SAGE Publications.

Keywords

  • Biobehavioral
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Health focus: physical activity/stress management
  • Manuscript format: research
  • Mindfulness
  • Moving meditation
  • Outcome measure: biobehavioral
  • Prevention Research
  • Psychoneuroimmunology
  • Research purpose: intervention testing
  • Self-compassion
  • Setting: local community
  • Spirituality
  • Strategy: skill building/behavior change
  • Study design: randomized trial
  • Tai chi
  • Target population age: adult women
  • Target population circumstances: geographic location

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The effects of Tai Chi on cardiovascular risk in Women'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this