
- Vol 32 No 8
- Volume 32
- Issue 8
Tai Chi Is a Biological Treatment for Depression
Recent studies find powerful biological changes associated with mind-body interventions comparable to those associated with conventional antidepressants or psychotherapies.
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Tai Chi Chih refers to a set of 20 movements, learned over 8 weeks, that are a form of “mindful exercise.” The beneficial effects of Tai Chi Chih include lowering blood pressure and weight. “Chi” refers to the intrinsic universal energy present in all individuals. Tai Chi Chih is derived from Tai Chi Chuan, a Chinese martial art used both for exercise and for health benefits.
Tai Chi Chih is an intervention that Lavretsky has studied in several different trials. In one investigation, she and her colleagues
Participants in the Tai Chi Chih group were more likely to have reductions in depression symptoms and to experience depression remission. They also had greater improvement of physical functioning, and they performed better on cognitive tests. Moreover, those in the Tai Chi Chih group had greater declines in levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) than those in the control group. The study showed both behavioral and biological benefits of augmenting an antidepressant with Tai Chi Chih.
According to Lavretsky, the downside of Tai Chi is that because it is a physical exercise, it is “not easy for everybody.” However, for those patients who are willing to put in the time and effort, it seems to be a beneficial add-on to depression treatment.
Another
The group that practiced meditation had significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms and greater improvement in mental health and cognitive functioning than the group that listened to relaxing music.
What was particularly interesting was that the meditation group showed 43% improvement in telomerase activity versus only 3.7% improvement in the group that listened to relaxing music. This is particularly tantalizing information for those interested in successful aging and life prolongation-suggesting that a lifestyle intervention can change telomere length and perhaps reduce the impact of stress on biological aging. In her 2015 APA presentation, Lavretsky noted that these are “very promising results for future studies of medita-tion versus drugs versus behavioral interventions.”
Like Lavretsky, Irwin is also interested in the possible benefits of Tai Chi. Along with Lavretsky and other researchers, Irwin3 conducted a
Of all the interventions, CBT was the most effective for insomnia and for improving sleep quality, fatigue, and depressive symptoms. Participants who received CBT had lower levels of CRP at the 16-month follow-up. Tai Chi was more effective than the sleep seminar for improving sleep quality, fatigue, and depressive symptoms, but not insomnia. CBT was best for depressive symptoms and sleep problems, although Tai Chi was more effective than the sleep seminar. The effect of CBT on reducing CRP levels again shows that a behavioral intervention can have potent positive effects on biology.
What is perhaps most interesting about this research is its application to current ideas about depression and its link to inflammation across the life span, especially in aging adults. As Irwin noted in his presentation, the research provides evidence for the idea that “targeting with a behavioral treatment can reduce inflammation” possibly providing a biological explanation for the effects of interventions such as Tai Chi and meditation on alleviating symptoms of depression.
References:
1. Lavretsky H, Alstein LL, Olmstead RE, et al. Complementary use of tai chi chih augments escitalopram treatment of geriatric depression: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2011; 19:839-850.
2. Lavretsky H, Epel ES, Siddarth P, et al. A pilot study of yogic meditation for family dementia caregivers with depressive symptoms: effects on mental health, cognition, and telomerase activity. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2013;28:57-65.
3. Irwin MR, Olmstead R, Carrillo C, et al. Cognitive behavioral therapy vs Tai Chi for late life insomnia and inflammatory risk: a randomized controlled comparative efficacy trial. Sleep. 2014;37:1543-1552.
Articles in this issue
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Introduction: Impulsivity-A Transdiagnostic Traitabout 10 years ago
Impulse Control, Impulsivity, and Violence: Clinical Implicationsabout 10 years ago
Impulsivity and Suicide Risk: Review and Clinical Implicationsabout 10 years ago
Implications of Impulse Control Disorder in Parkinson Diseaseabout 10 years ago
From Impulsivity to Addiction: Gambling Disorder and Beyondabout 10 years ago
Improving Understanding of Veteran Suicide Relative to VHA Service Useabout 10 years ago
Telepsychiatry: Watching Your Back While Staying in the Blackabout 10 years ago
Psychopharmacological Options for Treating ImpulsivityNewsletter
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