Table 1.
Tai Chi studies applied on patients with depression and primary outcomes.
| Study | Patient population demographics/sample size | Setting | Treatment (n)/control (n) | Treatment-related information | Primary outcome measures | Major results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yeung et al. (10) | 39 Chinese Americans with MDD; 77% women; mean (SD) age = 55 (10) | Group Tai Chi class in Boston, MA; taught in Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin) | Tai Chi: n = 26 Waitlist: n = 13 |
Tai Chi: 1-h class twice a week, 12 weeks Waitlist: 12 weeks |
Depression severity following treatment, as measured by the HAM-D17 | Response and remission rates were better in the Tai Chi group versus the waitlist group. However, these differences were not significant (p = 0.15 and p = 0.30 for response and remission rates, respectively). Tai Chi was proven safe and feasible for Chinese Americans. |
| Chou (14) | 14 Chinese patients with MDD, ages 60 and older | Classes led by Tai Chi instructor in group setting | Tai Chi: n = 7 Waitlist n = 7 |
Tai Chi: 3 × 45 min/week, 12 weeks Waitlist: 12 weeks |
Depression severity following treatment, as measured by the CES-D | Tai Chi can yield a reduction in depressive symptoms compared to a waitlist control (main effect of group assignment: 0.82, p < 0.01). Controlling for social support between groups removes any benefit of Tai Chi on CES-D scores. Thus, social support may contribute to the effects of Tai Chi on depressive symptoms. |
| Lavretsky et al. (15) | 73 adults over 60 with MDD; Escitalopram with Tai Chi group: 64% women, mean (SD) age = 69.1 (7.0); Escitalopram with health education (HE) group: 60% women, mean (SD) age = 72.0 (7.4) |
Both Tai Chi and HE classes were conducted by study staff. Tai Chi classes included a warm up and cool down. HE classes included lectures and discussion. | Escitalopram with Tai Chi: n = 36 Escitalopram with HE: n = 37 |
Escitalopram with Tai Chi: 2 h/week, 10 weeks Escitalopram with HE: 2 h/week, 10 weeks |
Depression severity following treatment, as measured by the HAM-D24; subjects were classified as “remission,” “response,” and “nonresponse” according to score | A higher percentage of participants achieving remission and response was observed in the escitalopram with Tai Chi group than in the escitalopram with HE group (p < 0.05). Compared to HE, Tai Chi may better augment the effects of SSRI medication in the treatment of major depression. |
| Field et al. (16) | 92 pregnant women with MDD; mean (SD) age = 26.6 (5.5); range = 18–37 | Participants recruited from medical clinic; classes taught in group setting | Tai Chi with Yoga: n = 46 Waitlist: n = 46 |
Tai Chi with yoga: 20 min/week, 12 weeks Waitlist: 12 weeks (received Tai Chi/yoga intervention after initial 12 weeks) |
Depression severity following treatment, as measured by the CES-D | Tai Chi with yoga intervention yielded a greater reduction in depressive symptoms than the waitlist control (p = 0.001). |
| Yeung et al. (11) | 67 Chinese Americans with MDD; ages 18 to 70 | Group Tai Chi class in Boston, MA; taught in Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin) | Tai Chi with yoga: n = 23 Waitlist: n = 22 Healthy education: n = 22 |
Tai Chi: 1-h class twice a week, 12 weeks Waitlist: 12 weeks Healthy education: 1-h class twice a week, 12 weeks |
Response and remission rates following treatment, as measured by HDRS17 | Tai Chi intervention yielded greater response and remission rates than the waitlist group (odds ratio for response = 2.11, 95% CI; odds ratio for remission = 3.01, 95% CI). Tai Chi intervention yielded a significantly greater response rate (odds ratio = 8.90, 95% CI) but an insignificantly greater remission rate (odds ratio = 4.40, 95% CI) compared to HE group. |
MDD, major depressive disorder; HE, health education; CES-D, Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale; HAM-D17/HDRS17, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (17 items); HAM-D24, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (24 items); CI, confidence interval.