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

Abstract

Background Depression is seriously affecting the physical and mental health of young people worldwide. Subthreshold depression, as an early stage of depression, is essential for early prevention and treatment of depression. Tai Chi, as a traditional Chinese mind-body therapy, may become an alternative intervention. However, the neurophysiological mechanism of Tai Chi for young people with subthreshold depression remains unclear, restricting its further promotion and application. Therefore, rigorous randomized clinical trials are needed to further observe the intervention effect of Tai Chi on young adults with subthreshold depression and explore the neurophysiological mechanism. Method/design This report describes a two-arm, randomized, parallel controlled trial with allocation concealment and assessor blinding. A total of 64 eligible participants are randomly allocated to the Tai Chi group and the waiting list group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the Tai Chi group receive 12 weeks of Tai Chi training, with a total of 36 times and each for 60 min. Specifically, the participants in the waiting list group are requested to maintain their routine lifestyle. In this study, the primary outcome measure is the mean change in scores on the PHQ-9 and HAMD-17 between baseline and 12 weeks; the secondary outcomes are the mean change in the scores on CES-D, CPSS, GAD-7, and PSQI. Besides, the saliva cortisol levels and fMRI are monitored to explore the mechanism of action of Tai Chi on subthreshold depression. Discussion The protocol uses a randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of Tai Chi for young adults with subthreshold depression and explore neurophysiological mechanisms. If the test results are positive, it can be verified that Tai Chi can promote the physical and mental health of young adults with subthreshold depression. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900028289. Registered on 17 December 2019

Lifestyle intervention Tai Chi for adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a PRIO-harms based overview of 17 systematic reviews

“…Individuals with chronic conditions like T2DM usually have alterations in brain function ( 45 ); therefore, Tai Chi’s impact might be rooted in central nervous system modulation. Neuroimaging methods, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), have delved into Tai Chi’s mind-regulation potential, including cognitive impairment ( 46 ) and subthreshold depression ( 47 ). Tai Chi’s body-regulating effects have been explored via omics-based approaches like metagenomics and metabolomics, particularly in systematic ailments like metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and hypertension.…”

The therapeutic effect of Taijiquan combined with acupoint pressing on the treatment of anxiety insomnia in college students: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…To maintain the physical and mental health of the subjects and ensure that the subjects could complete the research experiment, the research team specially equipped professional psychological counselors to carry out regular psychological counseling, and the researchers recorded their emotions to prevent overreaction in the research process. In the course of the experiment, the research team will collect the subjective scale data and objective emotional records of the subjects every 3 weeks, and analyze the effectiveness and difference of Taijiquan combined with acupoint pressing therapy in treatment groups and control group ( 33 , 34 ). After 12 weeks of intervention, all participants will begin an unsupervised follow-up period of another 12 weeks to restore their daily lifestyle and re-use the results of the scale to analyze the long-term effect of combined therapy.…”

Effect of Tai Chi on Young Adults with Subthreshold Depression via a Stress–Reward Complex: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…This study was registered in the Chinese Registry of Clinical Trials (Registration Number: ChiCTR1900028289, Registered December 12, 2019). The trial study protocol was published elsewhere [ 53 ].…”