This 2025 research highlights the significant positive impact of Tai Chi and Qigong on alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms in older adults. By bolstering participants’ emotional well-being and diminishing negative feelings, these exercises play a crucial role in stress reduction and the management of anxiety-related conditions. Moreover, the convenience and cost-effectiveness of Tai Chi and Qigong have made them increasingly popular.
This research demonstrates tai chi and qigong significantly alleviate anxiety and depression in older adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of taichi and qigong on anxiety and depression, and explored the optimal exercise parameters, to provide evidence for nonpharmacological treatment options in clinical practice.
The research suggests practice for 40 to 60 minutes per session, 3 to 4 times per week, over 12 to 16 weeks, effectively alleviates anxiety symptoms.
Tai chi and qigong offer noninvasive approaches focusing on mental and physical well-being, resulting in reduced stress and enhanced emotional regulation. Tai chi and Qigong focuses on slow-paced movements, deep breathing, and meditation to improve physical and mental health through physiological and psychological mechanisms. Despite similar core mechanisms, Tai Chi and Qigong differ in exercise intensity, goals, and regulatory mechanisms, which means there is a flexible choice of interventions.
Tai Chi emphasizes balance and flexibility, improving muscle coordination and joint mobility through slow and flowing movements, with a strong focus on breath regulation and meditation. Tai Chi promotes a high level of body control, particularly in terms of balance and coordination, and has a significant effect on enhancing flexibility, improving posture, and increasing muscle strength. For older adults, Tai Chi helps improve balance and reduce the risk of falls, which positively affects anxiety relief.
In contrast, Qigong focuses on breath regulation and the flow of qi, or energy, emphasising relaxation through deep abdominal breathing and meditation. The intervention focus of Qigong is to reduce mental stress and improve emotional states, which is especially effective for old adults prone to anxiety.
Read the research here
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000021487
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