Objective:
This study used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of Tai Chi Chuan and general aerobic exercise on the topological parameters of ...brain functional networks, explored the advantages of Tai Chi Chuan for improving functional network plasticity and cognitive flexibility, and examined how changes in topological attributes of brain functional networks relate to cognitive flexibility.
Methods:
Thirty-six healthy adults were grouped into Tai Chi Chuan (Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi), general aerobic exercise (brisk walking), and control groups. All of the subjects underwent fMRI and behavioral assessment before and after the exercise intervention.
Results:
Tai Chi Chuan exercise significantly enhanced the clustering coefficient and local efficiency compared with general aerobic exercise. Regarding the nodal properties, Tai Chi Chuan significantly enhanced the nodal clustering coefficient of the bilateral olfactory cortex and left thalamus, significantly reduced the nodal clustering coefficient of the left inferior temporal gyrus, significantly improved the nodal efficiency of the right precuneus and bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus, and significantly improved the nodal local efficiency of the left thalamus and right olfactory cortex. Furthermore, the behavioral performance results demonstrated that cognitive flexibility was enhanced by Tai Chi Chuan. The change in the nodal clustering coefficient in the left thalamus induced by Tai Chi Chuan was a significant predictor of cognitive flexibility.
Conclusion:
These findings demonstrated that Tai Chi Chuan could promote brain functional specialization. Brain functional specialization enhanced by Tai Chi Chuan exercise was a predictor of greater cognitive flexibility.
The study aimed to research the promoting effects of Tai Chi exercise on working memory capacity and emotional regulation ability among college students.
Fifty-five participants were recruited and ...randomly divided into the Tai Chi group and control group. The Tai Chi group had a 12-week Tai Chi training to implement intervention, while the control group performed non-cognitive traditional sports with the same exercise intensity as the Tai Chi group. The visual 2-back test of action pictures and the Geneva emotional picture system test were performed before and after the trial, which aimed to examine whether the action memory of Tai Chi training can improve individuals' working memory capacity and emotion regulation ability.
After 12 weeks, a significant difference was observed in Accuracy Rate (AR) (
= 54.89,
≤ 0.001) and Response Time (RT) (
= 99.45,
≤ 0.001) of individuals' Visual Memory Capacity between the Tai Chi group and the control group. Significant effects in Time (
= 98.62,
≤ 0.001), Group (
= 21.43,
≤ 0.001), and Interaction (Groups × time;
= 50.81,
≤ 0.001) on Accuracy Rate (AR) of the Visual Memory Capacity were observed. The same effect was observed again on the Response Time (RT) of the Visual Memory Capacity, Time (
= 67.21,
≤ 0.001), Group (
= 45.68,
≤ 0.001), Interaction (groups × time;
= 79.52,
≤ 0.001). Post-hoc analysis showed that at the end of 12 weeks, the participants in the Tai Chi group had significantly higher Visual Memory Capacity than those in the control group (
< 0.05).After 12 weeks, valence difference (
= 11.49,
≤ 0.001), arousal difference (
= 10.17,
≤ 0.01), and dominance difference (
= 13.30,
≤ 0.001) in the emotion response were significantly different between the control group and the Tai Chi group. The effect of valence differences in Time (
= 7.28,
< 0.01), Group (
= 4.16,
< 0.05), and Time*Group (
= 10.16,
< 0.01), respectively, was significant in the Tai Chi group after 12-week intervention.
analysis showed valence swings in the Tai Chi group were significantly lower than that in the control group (
< 0.05); The effect of arousal difference in Time (
= 5.18,
< 0.05), Group (
= 7.26,
< 0.01), Time*Group (
= 4.23,
< 0.05), respectively, was significant in the Tai Chi group after 12-week intervention.
analysis showed arousal fluctuations in the Tai Chi group was significantly lower than that in the control group too (
< 0.01); As the same, the effect of dominance differences in Time (
= 7.92,
< 0.01), Group (
= 5.82
< 0.05) and Time*Group (
= 10.26,
< 0.01), respectively was significant in the Tai Chi group. Dominance swings in the Tai Chi group were significantly lower than that in the control group (
< 0.001).
The data support our speculation that action memory training in Tai Chi exercise may improve individuals' working memory capacity, and then improve their emotion regulation ability, which has provided insightful information for customized exercise programs for emotion regulation in adolescents. Thus, we suggest those adolescents who are experiencing volatile moods and poor emotion regulation attend regular Tai Chi classes, which could contribute to their emotional health.
Highlights • 26 randomized controlled trials of Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga, and meditation reviewed. • Trials showed consistent reductions in genomic markers of inflammation. • Mixed effects on ...circulating and cellular inflammatory markers.
Introduction A series of functional disorders commonly occur after stroke, of which upper limb dysfunction is the most difficult to recover. The upper limb rehabilitation effect of Tai Chi ...Yunshou(TCY) in the later stage of stroke has been confirmed by research. Body weight support-Tai Chi Yunshou (BWS-TCY) is based on TCY exercise and robotic exoskeletons offers most flexibility in deweighting and control strategy. This study is aimed to explore the effect of BWS-TCY on upper limb motor function in stroke based on neurobiomechanics. Methods and analysis A single-blind randomized controlled trial will be conducted on 36 stroke survivors who will be randomly assigned to three groups: experimental group, control group A and control group B. In addition, 12 healthy elderly people will be recruited into the healthy control group. Those in the experimental group will receive 20 min of CRT and 20 min of BWS-TCY training, while participants in the control group A will receive 20 min of CRT and 20 min of Robot-assisted training. Participants in the control group B will undergo 40 min of Conventional rehabilitation training (CRT) daily. All interventions will take place 5 days a week for 12 weeks, with a 12-week follow-up period. No intervention will be carried out for the healthy control group. Upper limb function will be assessed before and after the intervention using various rating scales (Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Wolf Motor Function Test, etc.), as well as neurobiomechanical analyses (surface electromyography, functional near-infrared brain function analysis system, and Xsens maneuver Capture System). Additionally, 10 healthy elderly individuals will be recruited for neurobiomechanical analysis, and the results will be compared with those of stroke survivors. Discussion The results of this study will offer initial evidence on the effectiveness and feasibility of BWS-TCY as an early intervention for stroke rehabilitation. Positive findings from this study could contribute to the development of guidelines for the use of BWS-TCY in the early stages of stroke. Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committees of the seventh People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Study ID: 2022-7th-HIRB-022). The results of the study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific conferences. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ , ChiCTR 2200063150.
•Insomnia is prevalent in breast cancer survivors and contributes to inflammation.•Inflammation in breast cancer survivors predicts disease recurrence and mortality.•Insomnia treatment reverses ...inflammation over one year in breast cancer survivos.•Tai Chi, as compared to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, preferentially reduces inflammation in breast cancer survivors.
Insomnia contributes to inflammation in breast cancer survivors. This study evaluates whether insomnia treatment reverses inflammation in breast cancer survivors with insomnia.
Participants (n = 90) were randomized to 3 months of Tai Chi (n = 45) or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)(n = 45), and followed for one year post-intervention to 15 month endpoint. Our previous report found that Tai Chi as compared to CBT-I resulted in similar rates of insomnia response and remission over 15 months. Here, we analyze changes in plasma C-reactive protein and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 stimulated monocyte production of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), and cellular pro-inflammatory and anti-viral gene expression (Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity RNA profile; CTRA) over 15 months.
Insomnia treatment resulted in decreases in the TLR-4 stimulated monocyte production of IL-6, TNF, and their co-expression, as well as decreases in the CTRA profile, decreases inflammatory gene transcripts, and increases in anti-viral gene transcripts over 15 months (all P’s < 0.01). In addition, as compared to CBT-I, Tai Chi resulted in greater decreases in plasma IL-6 (P < 0.05), and greater decreases in TLR-4 activated monocyte production of IL-6 and co-expression of IL-6 and TNF at 15 month endpoint. CBT-I resulted in greater increases in anti-viral gene transcripts.
Administration of either CBT-I or Tai Chi effectively treats insomnia, and shows additional benefits of reducing cellular and genomic markers of inflammation, and increasing anti-viral genomic markers in breast cancer survivors with insomnia. Tai Chi, as compared to CBT-I, yields greater and more durable decreases in systemic- and cellular inflammation. Targeting insomnia might mitigate the risk of inflammation-related co-morbidities in breast cancer survivors.
The changing needs of our nation’s military veterans call for a change in the healthcare system delivery models providing their primary sources of care. The VA Healthcare System has incorporated a ...whole health movement emphasizing individualized approaches to healthcare by encouraging complementary and integrative programs. Wheelchair/Adaptive Tai Chi Chuan (W/A/TCC) is such program offering a transformative opportunity to programmatically enhance veteran healthcare services by enhancing the training of VA healthcare providers. This article explores the impacts of a 7-posture W/A TCC instructional training program for healthcare providers that has been facilitated throughout the VA healthcare system since 2016. The purpose is to better understand the impact this training has on healthcare providers, including Recreational Therapists (RTs). A mixed-methods design exploring participant perspectives showed increased confidence levels following training in several key areas and no statistically significant differences between RTs compared to all other healthcare providers. Meaningful impacts described by participants are explored. Overall discussion focuses on this specific training program’s unique applicability for directly influencing VA healthcare providers and the veterans being served. Overall results offer support for wheelchair/adaptive tai chi chuan training as one strategy that can be utilized to increase the success of holistic veteran healthcare.
Dendritic growth of Li metal and its related safety issue in a liquid electrolyte greatly hinder the development of Li metal batteries. Herein, inspired by the Tai Chi philosophy of keeping rigid and ...flexible balance, we demonstrate a new rigid-flexible hybrid ionogel electrolyte composed of TiO2 rigid framework, PVDF-HFP flexible framework and LiTFSI-Py13TFSI ionic liquid for greatly boosting the performance of Li battery. The as-made hybrid ionogel electrolyte not only has excellent electrochemical properties, such as ionic conductivity up to 7.4 × 10−3 S/cm at 25 °C and anodic stability up to 5.5 V versus Li/Li+, but also has a high mechanical strength to withstand extrusion. These important features make it be able to realize the stable stripping/plating of Li anodes. The hybrid ionogel electrolyte enables the assembled LiFePO4/Li batteries to be successfully cycled at wide C rate (0.1–2.0 C) and exhibit no significant capacity degradation for up to 500 days (about 600 cycles) at a 0.1 C rate. The design from Tai Chi philosophy to protect Li metal opens new opportunities to realize high energy-density Li metal batteries.
Rigid-flexible hybrid ionogel electrolytes derived from Tai Chi philosophy are fabricated as quasi-solid electrolytes for boosting the cycling stability of lithium metal batteries. The as-obtained hybrid electrolytes exhibit improved mechanical and electrochemical properties enable the LiFePO4/Li batteries to successfully cycling at a long time. Display omitted
La cultura física alcanza un perfil profesional que permite a sus graduados, la prestación de servicios en diferentes centros educacionales, sin embargo, la insuficiente preparación en las ...dimensiones educativas de la Educación Física, limitan el desempeño profesional de los profesores de esta asignatura, sobre todo para la atención a niños eximidos de estas prácticas. Para la elaboración de esta propuesta se utilizaron métodos y técnicas de nivel teórico y empírico, tales como análisis-síntesis, inducción-deducción, revisión documental, observación. El resultado de esta investigación se encamina hacia brindar la metodología del “Lian-Chi”: una gimnasia suave terapéutica que permitirá rehabilitar la parte físico-postural y respiratoria de niños asmáticos durante la etapa intercrisis en las escuelas primarias, mediante el desarrollo de las dimensiones físico-educativas, con la participación de la escuela, la familia y la comunidad, donde la pertinencia epistemológica de estas formas de ejercicios marciales fortalecerán el trabajo metodológico e interdisciplinario en la Educación Física, lo que coadyuva a preparar un profesional integral y capacitado que ofrecerá su mejor procedimiento para corregir las alteraciones posturales que se desarrollan en las estructuras anatomo funcionales afectadas, específicamente en el tórax y la columna vertebral de niños y niñas asmáticos.
There is increasing interest in the potential efficacy of meditation-based mind-body interventions (MBIs) within mental health care. We conducted a systematic metareview of the published randomized ...control trial (RCT) evidence. MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycARTICLES and EMBASE were searched from inception to 06/2020 examining MBIs (mindfulness, qigong, tai chi, yoga) as add-on or monotherapy versus no treatment, minimal treatment and passive and active control conditions in people with a mental disorder. The quality of the methods of the included meta-analyses using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) and the methodological quality of the RCTs using AMSTAR-Plus. Sixteen (94%) of 17 meta-analyses had good overall methodological quality. The content validity of the included RCTs was considered good in 9 (53%) meta-analyses. In meta-analyses with good methodological quality (AMSTAR 8≤) and content validity (AMSTAR+ 4≤), large effect sizes (0.80 or higher) were observed for mindfulness in schizophrenia and in ADHD, a moderate (0.50 ≤ 0.80) effect size for mindfulness in PTSD and a small (0.20 < 0.50) effect size for yoga in schizophrenia No serious adverse events were reported (n RCTs = 43, n in the MBI arms = 1774), while the attrition rates were comparable with the rates in passive and active control conditions. Our meta-review demonstrates that mindfulness and to a lesser extent yoga may serve as an efficacious supplement to pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy and can be complementary in healthy lifestyle interventions for people with mental disorders. Meta-analytic evidence of high methodological quality and content validity of included trials is currently lacking for qigong and tai chi.
Tai Chi is an ancient philosophy used to explain the universe. The Tai Chi symbol is represented by Yin/Yang fishes. The authors describe a novel radial forearm flap (RFF) design for the ...reconstruction of circular defects based on the Tai Chi symbol.
Eleven consecutive patients with craniofacial skin or mucus defects underwent reconstruction with a Tai Chi RFF. Patient perioperative and follow-up information was collected.
The diameter of the Tai Chi RFF was 5 to 6 cm. All flaps healed uneventfully without ischemic problems, and all donor site defects were closed primarily without skin grafts. Remarkably, 2 patients received a tattoo to mark the Tai Chi symbol and greatly appreciate the shape of the flap.
The Tai Chi flap is an economically friendly flap design that can be used to prevent skin grafts while providing psychological comfort to patients.
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