Objective benefit with tai chi in chronic heart failure
 The data supporting benefits from tai chi in people with heart failure are growing.
Here’s the latest.
First, the details.
- 30 patients with chronic heart failure were randomly assigned to receive tai chi plus usual care, or usual care alone.
- A full range of heart failure patients was included, from no symptoms to severe limitations.
And, the results.
- At 12 weeks, patients who participated in tai chi showed significantly improved quality of life based on the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire.
- There was significantly increased exercise capacity.
- A significant decrease in B-type natriuretic peptide was measured vs the control group.
- Levels of B-type natriuretic peptide are elevated in patients with heart failure and correlate with the severity of symptoms and the prognosis of the disease.
- The tai chi group also showed significantly improved sleep stability and estimated total sleep time vs the control group.
The bottom line?
Interesting that an objective measure of heart failure, B-type natriuretic peptide, improved with tai chi.
Others have reported benefits in the past year.
9/6/08 16:51 JR