Barrow DE, Bedford A, Ives G, O'Toole L, Channer KS.
Department of Cardiology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Tai Chi on exercise tolerance in patients with moderate heart failure. DESIGN: Randomised parallel group study balanced for baseline variables.
SETTING: Cardiology Department, Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
PATIENTS : 52 patients (42 men - range 46-90 years, and 10 women -range 58-82) with chronic heart failure (New York Heart Association symptom class II-III) were studied.
METHODS: Patients were randomised to Tai Chi Chuan twice a week for 16 weeks or to standard medical care without exercise rehabilitation.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the change in the distance walked in the walk test. Secondary outcome measures were changes in symptom scores and quality of life indices.
RESULTS: Objective measures of exercise tolerance did not improve significantly with Tai Chi, but patients having Tai Chi (Chi Kung) exercise had an improvement in symptom scores of heart failure measured by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire , and depression scores measured by the SCL-90-R questionnaire compared with those people in the control group.
CONCLUSION: In patients with chronic heart failure, 16 weeks of Tai Chi (Chi Kung) training was safe, with no adverse exercise related problems. It was enjoyed by all taking part and led to significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life.
PMID: 17989272 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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