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Tai Chi as an Alternative and Complimentary Therapy for Anxiety
December 15, 2014 -
Anxiety has become a global public health
problem. Tai
Chi offers one possible way of
reducing anxiety.
A joint study by Jackson State University in
Missouri and the Legal Aid Society in New York City examined studies from 1989
to March 2014 to assess whether Tai Chi can
be an efficacious approach for managing anxiety.
A systematic search of Medline, CINAHL, and
Alt HealthWatch databases was conducted for quantitative articles involving
applications of Tai Chi for
anxiety. A total of 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 8 were
from the United States, 2 from Australia, 2 from Japan, 2 from Taiwan, and 1
each from Canada, Spain, and China.
Statistically
significant results of anxiety reduction were reported in 12 of the studies
reviewed. Despite the limitations of not all studies using randomized controlled
designs, having smaller sample sizes, having different outcomes, having
non-standardized tai chi interventions,
and having varying lengths, the study found Tai Chi appearing to be a promising modality
for anxiety management. |
