Effect of Tai Chi on Young Adults with Subthreshold Depression via a Stress–Reward Complex: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Tai Chi training improves depressive and anxiety symptoms and quality of life in young people with subthreshold depression. Improvements in depressive symptoms are associated with reduction in putamen volume and salivary cortisol levels. Involvement of the stress and reward circuit suggests Tai Chi would improve stress regulation and reward preference. Background Subthreshold depression is a highly prevalent mood disorder in young adults. Mind–body exercises, such as Tai Chi, have been adopted as interventions for clinical depressive symptoms. However, the possible effect and underlying mechanism of Tai Chi on subthreshold depression of young individuals remain unclear. This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi training and tested the combined stress and reward circuitry model for subthreshold depression. Results A total of 103 participants completed this trial, with 49 in the 12-week 24-style Tai Chi group and 54 participants in control group. Our results showed significantly lower scores on depressive symptoms ( P = 0.002) and anxiety symptoms ( P = 0.009) and higher scores on quality of life ( P = 0.002) after Tai Chi training. There were significant reductions in salivary cortisol levels ( P = 0.007) and putamen gray matter volume ( P < 0.001) in the Tai Chi group. The changes in cortisol levels and putamen gray matter volume had direct (bootstrapping confidence interval [− 0.91, − 0.11]) and indirect effects (bootstrapping confidence…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 103 participants or records.
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