Effectiveness of Tai Chi on Blood Pressure, Stress, Fatigue, and Sleep Quality among Chinese Women with Episodic Migraine: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

The beneficial effects of Tai Chi on the cardiovascular risk profile and the migraine trigger factors among female migraineurs remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week Tai Chi training on blood pressure (BP) and migraine-related trigger factors, including stress, fatigue, and sleep quality among Chinese women with episodic migraine. In this study, eligible Hong Kong Chinese women aged 18–65 years were randomly assigned to the Tai Chi group adopting a modified 33-short form of Yang style Tai Chi training for 12 weeks, followed by additional 12 weeks of self-practice or the waiting list control group that maintained the usual lifestyle for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the changes in BP from the baseline to 12 and 24 weeks. The secondary outcomes included the stress level, fatigue, and sleep quality measured by the perceived stress scale (PSS), the numeric rating scale-fatigue (NRS-fatigue), and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), respectively. Significant between-group differences were found in systolic BP (−6.8 mmHg at 24 weeks, P = 0.02 ), and a decreasing trend was significant across baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks between groups ( P < 0.05 ). The 12-week Tai Chi training significantly reduced the BP level and moderately improved stress level, fatigue status, and sleep quality among Chinese women with episodic migraine. Therefore, Tai Chi could be considered a promising mind-body exercise with good feasibility for migraineurs in the future. This trial is registered with registration number NCT03015753.

Efficacy and feasibility of a 12-week Tai Chi training for the prophylaxis of episodic migraine in Hong Kong Chinese women: A randomized controlled trial

“…Although participants in the control group had higher values of BMI, weight, body fat percentage, and waist circumference when compared with the Tai Chi group, all these anthropometrical values showed no statistically significant difference between two groups (all P > 0.05). Also, no difference was observed in terms of fatigue, stress level, and sleep quality ( 33 ). The only difference was observed in the drinking, which participants in the control group had higher proportion of drinking than those in the Tai Chi group ( P < 0.05).…”

“…Body mass index [BMI, weight (kg)/height (m 2 )] and waist-to-hip ratio (waist circumference/hip circumference) were calculated. Furthermore, the typical migraine triggers including fatigue, stress level, and sleep quality were assessed by the numeric rating scale-fatigue, the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively ( 33 ). All above measurements at baseline were conducted again at the 12th and the 24th week.…”

Effects of traditional Chinese exercise on sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Table 1 presents the characteristics of the 20 RCTs. Types of Health Qigong were Liuzijue, [41] Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong, [29,43] Goulin New Qigong, [26] Tai chi, [24,30,[32][33][34]39,44,45] Chan-Chuang Qigong, [42] and Baduanjin. [23,25,31,[35][36][37][38] Among the 20 studies, 10 studies were conducted in China, 5 in the United States, 1 in Germany, 1 in Italy, 1 in Spain, 1 in Australia, and 1 in Canada.…”

Acute effects of different Tai Chi practice protocols on cardiac autonomic modulation

“…Studies have shown that Tai Chi effectively alleviates symptoms associated with conditions like Parkinson's disease 10 and cognitive impairment 11 . It also reduces anxiety and stress levels while enhancing overall strength, balance, and flexibility 12 , 13 . Tai Chi contributes to improved aerobic capacity, positively impacts cardiovascular risk factors, and lowers blood pressure 14 .…”