Tai Chi exercises versus progressive muscle relaxation technique on symptoms of anxiety in patients with anxiety and mood disorders

Background. Anxiety is the most common reaction to stress, and stress itself is a huge problem affecting people of different ages all over the world. Scientific studies provide beneficial evidence of Tai Chi for mental and physical health, which includes reduced anxiety and depression symptoms, improved stress management and sleep quality. Furthermore, Tai chi improves muscular strength, balance and flexibility (Song et al, 2014, Caldwell et al, 2016, Jiang et al, 2016). Aim was to compare the effects of Tai Chi exercises and Progressive Muscle Relaxation on symptoms of anxiety in patients with anxiety and mood disorders. Methods. Randomized, control trial of 27 patients, mean age 37.3 (12.1), with anxiety and mood disorders. Participants were randomly assigned to either a Tai Chi group (TC) (n=13), or Progressive Muscle Relaxation group (PMR) (n=14). Participants in both groups completed a 4-week training program, 3 times per week, one session time – 35 minutes. Tai Chi exercises are a mind-body intervention, which involves sequences of flowing movements, breathing, mental focus, coordination and relaxation. PMR technique involves learning to monitor the tension in specific muscle groups and to direct attention towards the differences felt during tension and relaxation.The primary outcome of the study was total score of Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).Mann-Whitney’s U test and Fisher’s χ2 test for categorical variables has been used. Results. After 4 weeks of TC and PMR training, TC group showed significant decrease in HAM-A scores from 29 (19.5–40.0) at the baseline to 16.0 (5.5–20.0) at the end of the training. PMR group also had lower HAM-A scores: from 21.5 (15.8–34.5) to 16.0 (5.0–24.0) respectively. However, compared with PMR group, participants in the TC group had significantly improved total score of Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale: difference of HAM-A in TC group was 13.0 (6.5–22), whereas in PMR group - 4.0 (1.5–12.0), (p=