Search

The relative efficacy of various mind–body exercises in the treatment of depressive symptoms remains uncertain. We examined the optimal modalities (Tai Chi, qigong, yoga) and dose of mind–body exercise to improve depressive symptoms in adults. A systematic search of six electronic databases for randomized controlled trials on the relationship between exercise and depression was carried out, encompassing data from their inception up to November 2023. Pairwise analyses, network analyses and dose–response meta‐analyses using random‐effects models were performed to analyse the effect of exercise on depression. Forty studies were included. Results showed that Yoga [standardised mean difference (SMD) = −0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): (−0.76, −0.35)] was the most effective form of exercise for improving depressive symptoms, followed by Qigong (SMD = −0.52; 95%CI: −0.92, −0.11) and Tai Chi exercise (SMD = −0.42; 95%CI: −0.71, −0.13). In addition, a non‐linear dose–response relationship was found between overall mind–body exercise dose and depression levels and a significant response was observed after 260 METs‐min. Our study examined the effectiveness of different types of mind–body exercise in improving depression and found that yoga may be the most effective adjunctive intervention. There was a non‐linear dose–response relationship between total exercise and depression levels. However, caution should be exercised in interpreting and applying these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common disorder characterized by heterogeneous symptoms that leads to decreased functioning, work productivity, and quality of life. Exercise has been recommended for fibromyalgia treatment. Traditional Chinese exercise (TCE), including Taichi, Qigong, Badunjin, Wuqinxi, etc., as a kind of mind–body exercise, plays an important role in alleviating symptoms of FMS. The objective of this study is to summarize the available evidence, through meta‐analysis, on the pain relief, quality of life, sleep improvement, and emotion regulation of FMS in TCE. Methods: Databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Google scholar, CNKI, WANFANG DATA, VIP, etc. were used to search eligible studies that were published from the time of their inception to February 11, 2022, in English and Chinese. The included studies were divided into two groups: TCE group (experimental group) and control group. The Cochrane collaboration's tool was used to assess the risk of bias, and Revman5.4.1 software was used to synthesize and analyze the data. Results: A total of 12 literatures were included in this study, which contained 781 patients, and 448 of them were included in the treatment group, 333 of others in control group. TCE significantly alleviated pain [SMD = −0.83, 95% CI (−1.15, −0.51), p <.00001], improved quality of life [SMD = −0.53, 95% CI (−0.86, −0.19), p =.002] and improved qualities of sleep [SMD = −0.41, 95% CI (−0.57, −0.24), p <.00001] and relieved depression [SMD = −0.40, 95% CI (−0.69, −0.10), p <.008]. Conclusion: TCE may be a way to reduce pain, improve the quality of life and sleep, and relieve depression for FMS, and it could be part of the FMS treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Our previous study indicated that people with MetS showed a decrease in waist circumference and a decreasing trend in blood pressure after 1‐year yoga. This study investigated the effect of yoga on MetS people with high‐normal blood pressure by exploring modulations in proinflammatory adipokines (leptin, chemerin, visfatin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 or PAI‐1) and an anti‐inflammatory adipokine (adiponectin). A total of 97 Hong Kong Chinese individuals aged 57.6 ± 9.1 years with MetS and high‐normal blood pressure were randomly assigned to control (n = 45) and yoga groups (n = 52). Participants in the control group were not given any intervention but were contacted monthly to monitor their health status. Participants in the yoga group underwent a yoga training program with three 1‐hour yoga sessions weekly for 1 year. The participants’ sera were harvested and assessed for adipokines. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to examine the interaction effect between 1‐year time (pre vs post), and intervention (control vs yoga). GEE analyses revealed significant interaction effects between 1‐year time and yoga intervention for the decreases in leptin and chemerin and the increase in adiponectin concentration in the sera examined. These results demonstrated that 1‐year yoga training decreased proinflammatory adipokines and increased anti‐inflammatory adipokine in adults with MetS and high‐normal blood pressure. These findings support the beneficial role of yoga in managing MetS by favorably modulating adipokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To summarize and critically evaluate research on the effects of Tai Chi on cognitive function in older adults. Design Systematic review with meta-analysis. Setting Community and residential care. Participants Individuals aged 60 and older (with the exception of one study) with and without cognitive impairment. Measurements Cognitive ability using a variety of neuropsychological testing. Results Twenty eligible studies with a total of 2,553 participants were identified that met inclusion criteria for the systematic review; 11 of the 20 eligible studies were randomized controlled trials ( RCTs), one was a prospective nonrandomized controlled study, four were prospective noncontrolled observational studies, and four were cross-sectional studies. Overall quality of RCTs was modest, with three of 11 trials categorized as high risk of bias. Meta-analyses of outcomes related to executive function in RCTs of cognitively healthy adults indicated a large effect size when Tai Chi participants were compared with nonintervention controls ( Hedges' g = 0.90; P = .04) and a moderate effect size when compared with exercise controls ( Hedges' g = 0.51; P = .003). Meta-analyses of outcomes related to global cognitive function in RCTs of cognitively impaired adults, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to dementia, showed smaller but statistically significant effects when Tai Chi was compared with nonintervention controls ( Hedges' g = 0.35; P = .004) and other active interventions ( Hedges' g = 0.30; P = .002). Findings from nonrandomized studies add further evidence that Tai Chi may positively affect these and other domains of cognitive function. Conclusion Tai Chi shows potential to enhance cognitive function in older adults, particularly in the realm of executive functioning and in individuals without significant impairment. Larger and methodologically sound trials with longer follow-up periods are needed before more-definitive conclusions can be drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of Kouk Sun Do (KSD), a mind-body exercise on mental health in university students, were investigated in this pilot study. University students ( N = 30) with self-reported anxiety symptoms were randomly assigned to either the treatment group or the waiting list control group. Eighteen participants ( N = 18; seven in the treatment group and 11 in the waiting list control group) completed a pre-test and a post-test, and 12 participants dropped out before or during the intervention. Ten 70-min KSD exercise sessions were conducted three times per week over a 4-week period. Trait anxiety, depressive symptoms and general self-efficacy in coping with stress were measured with the pre-test and the post-test. Qualitative data were collected using open-ended questions regarding benefits of KSD at the last session. A two (group) by two (time) repeated-measure analysis of variance was used to analyse the data. Trait anxiety and depressive symptoms decreased whereas general self-efficacy increased over a 4-week period. The treatment group had significantly reduced trait anxiety and depressive symptoms compared with the control group across time. Qualitative data provided support that the self-induced relaxation effects of KSD may lead to reduced anxiety. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare the memory function of older adults who regularly practiced mind-body (MB) or cardiovascular (CV) exercises with that of those who did not engage in regular exercise. Older adults who engaged in both types of exercise were also included to examine the combined effects. Design: Cross-sectional study between 2002 and 2003. Setting: Older adults from a local community in Hong Kong. Participants: One hundred forty adults aged 56 and older. Measurements: The Hong Kong List Learning Test was used to assess the memory of all participants. It is a clinically validated Chinese verbal-memory test that measures various aspects of memory processing, including learning, retention, and retrieval abilities. MB and CV exercises were defined using three dimensions: motion speed, emphasis on relaxing the mind, and conscious control of movement. Results: Older adults who practiced MB or CV exercises demonstrated a similar level of memory function, and their learning and memory was better than that of individuals who did not exercise regularly. Those who practiced both types of exercises outperformed all other groups, even after corrected for the total hours of exercise. Although memory change across age was found in older adults who did not exercise, this trend was not observed in individuals who practiced MB exercises. Conclusion: Practicing both MB and CV exercises appears to have a combined effect that might help to preserve memory in older adults. In addition, MB exercises may be considered as an alternative training for older adults who cannot practice strenuous physical exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]