A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based Tai Chi Chuan for subthreshold depression adolescents

Abstract

PurposeThe incidence of subthreshold depression (StD) in adolescents is growing rapidly, which in turn is known to impair functioning and increase the risk of major depression. It is therefore important to provide effective intervention to prevent the transition from StD to major depression. As a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise, Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) may be an available selection. Researchers have shown the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy on depression; however, for the StD youth, there have been no studies to investigate whether mindfulness-based Tai Chi Chuan (MTCC) can be recommended as an effective exercise for improving their psychological state. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of MTCC on psychological outcomes of StD adolescents including the depression levels and mindfulness state in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).Patients and methodsAn RCT was carried out. A sample of 64 participants who meet the inclusion criteria agreed to be arranged randomly to either the MTCC group (n=32) or the control group (n=32). Participants of the MTCC group received an 8-week, 2 days per week, 90-minute MTCC intervention for each session. Usual physical curriculum was administered to the participants in the control group. The effectiveness of MTCC training was measured by blinded evaluators through validated scales, which included depressive symptoms, stress, and mindfulness level before and after the intervention.ResultsSignificant improvements in psychological health were observed from MTCC groups. After 8-week intervention, superior outcomes were also observed for MTCC when compared with control group for decrease in depression (F=59.482, P<0.001) and stress level (F=59.482, P<0.001) and increase in mindfulness (F=59.482, P<0.001).ConclusionThe findings of this preliminary study indicated the effects of the MTCC intervention on depression level among StD youngsters. This study provides preliminary evidence that MTCC is suitable for Chinese adolescents and is effective in decreasing depression level.

The Evaluation of a Mind-Body Intervention (MBT-T) for Stress Reduction in Academic Settings: A Pilot Study

“…These studies describe the genomic and epigenetic pathways of stress, focusing on gene expression changes brought about by mind-body therapies. Despite a number of studies supporting the effectiveness of these interventions in lowering the level of stress, [ 13 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], improving well-being [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], and academic attainment in student populations [ 33 ], they may also present adverse effects and contraindications [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ], especially for those individuals who are advised against mild to moderate physical exertion. In addition, mind-body therapies often require training that may be challenging to learn, and they are generally time-consuming to perform.…”

Mindfulness based interventions for depression and anxiety in Asian Population: A systematic review

“…23, [35][36][37][38] Some studies have also demonstrated that the improvement in the depression and anxiety symptoms paralleled with improvement in the mindfulness. [47][48][49]51,57,60 However, studies that tested MBSR or its modified version and traditional meditation didn't demonstrate significant effect in depressive symptoms, for examples, 'Vipassana mindfulness approach' in alcohol dependent patients, MBSR for depression in prenatal depression, stress coping program based on mindfulness meditation and 'Mindfulness-Based Therapy and Counseling' (MBTC) in nursing students. 57 Most of the controlled trials with positive outcome compared MBIs with 'no treatment' or a 'treatment as usual-TAU' control.…”

“…The symptom improvement also correlated significantly with improvement in mindfulness. 47 In another RCT, MBSR delivered to nursing students showed a significant decrease in anxiety, stress and depression, and an increase in mindfulness. 48 One RCT in China slightly modified MBSR/MBCT model in long term prisoners and found significant a difference in mindfulness, anxiety and depression symptoms compared to waitlist control after 8 weeks.…”

The effectiveness of Tai Chi on the depressive symptom of young adults with subthreshold depression: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…The sample size estimation was based on the improvement in PHQ-9 (The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire) scores. According to relevant published literature [ 22 ], the mean and its SD of PHQ-9 scores after the 8 weeks of mindfulness-based Tai Chi training for subthreshold depression adolescents were 6.03 and 2.18 points, respectively, while the mean and its SD of PHQ-9 scores in the control group were 8.10 and 2.52 points, respectively. According to the above results, a sample size of 58 participants was calculated to sufficiently detect the target effect size (0.879) with a type 1 error of 5% ( α = 0.05) and 90% power ( β = 0.10) by Gpower V.3.1.9.2 software.…”