The effect of tai chi and Qigong exercise on depression and anxiety of individuals with substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have acknowledged Tai Chi and Qigong exercise could be potential effective treatments for reducing depression and anxiety in both healthy and clinical populations. However, there is a scarcity of systematic reviews summarizing the clinical evidence conducted among individuals with substance use disorders. This study tries to fill up this gap. Methods: A systematic search using Medline, EMbase, PsychINFO, Eric, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and the Chinese Scientific Journal (VIP) databases was initiated to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized comparison studies (NRS) assessing the effect of Tai Chi and Qigong versus various comparison groups on depression and anxiety related outcomes. Study quality was evaluated using a Checklist to Evaluate a Report of a Nonpharmacological Trial (CLEAR-NPT) designed for nonpharmacological trial. Results: One RCT and six NRS with a total of 772 participants were identified. Some of them were metaanalyzed to examine the pooled effects based on different types of intervention and controls. The results of meta-analyses suggested the effect of Tai Chi was comparable to treatment as usual (TAU) on depression (standardized mean difference (SMD) = − 0.17[− 0.52, 0.17]). Qigong exercise appears to result in improvement on anxiety compared to that of medication (SMD =-1.12[− 1.47, − 0.78]), and no treatment control (SMD =-0.52[− 0.77, − 0.27]). Conclusion: The findings suggest potentially beneficial effect of Qigong exercise on symptoms of anxiety among individuals with drug abuse. Considering the small number and overall methodological weakness of included studies and lack of RCTs, results should be interpreted with caution and future rigorously designed RCTs are warranted to provide more reliable evidence.

Effects of Wuqinxi in the Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…However, compared with the general exercise, Wuqinxi has a better effect on mental health, and the difference is statistically significant (P < 0.05). A large number of studies confirmed that qigong was more beneficial to psychology than general exercise, which was also consistent with our research results [41][42][43]. Besides, the patients with chronic LBP in the WQXG or GEG had a significant improvement on the sleep quality of at 24 weeks compared with baseline, according to the changes in PSQI scores.…”

Long-Term Effects of Mind-Body Exercises on the Physical Fitness and Quality of Life of Individuals With Substance Use Disorder—A Randomized Trial

“…According to a number of studies, different MBEs are reported to have positive impacts on some aspects that are severely influenced by SUD (25,26). Qi gong meditation contributes positively to addiction treatment outcomes, and meditative therapy may be more attractive for female drug abusers than for males (27).…”

Effects of Tai Chi on the Executive Function and Physical Fitness of Female Methamphetamine Dependents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Similarly, enhanced life quality of illicit drug users was found following 12 weeks of TC exercise ( 67 ). TC also had a beneficial effect on the depression and anxiety symptoms of drug dependents ( 68 ). Therefore, TC may be an effective intervention for the physical fitness and EFs of female MA dependents.…”