The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

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  • Recent Comments

    Effects of Tai Chi on psychological well-being

    Researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine, in Boston, reviewed the evidence supporting this low impact mind-body exercise.

    First, the details.

    • 40 studies totaling 3817 people were identified.

    And, the results.

    • In 23 of 33 studies, participants were assigned to a treatment group that included 1 hour to 1 year of regular Tai Chi, with the following significant results in community-dwelling healthy participants and in patients with chronic conditions.
      • Increased psychological well-being
      • Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression
      • Enhanced mood and emotion
    • 7 observational studies with relatively large populations reinforced the beneficial association between Tai Chi practice and psychological health.
      • In an observational study, assignment of participants to a treated or comparison group is outside the control of the researcher .

    The bottom line?

    After 40 studies, the authors still want more. You know the old saying, “If your a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” Well, if your a researcher, everything looks like it needs…

    However, they concluded, “Tai Chi appears to be associated with improvements in psychological well-being including reduced stress, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance, and increased self-esteem.”

    5/22/10 11:59 JR

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