Author: Zou L1, Sasaki JE2, Wei GX3, Huang T4, Yeung AS5, Neto OB6, Chen KW7, Hui SS8
Affiliation:
1Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. liyezou123@cuhk.edu.hk.
2Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG 38025-440, Brazil. jeffersasaki@gmail.com.
3Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China. weigx@psych.ac.cn.
4Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, China. taohuang@sjtu.edu.cn.
5Depression Clinical and Research Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. ayeung@mgh.harvard.edu.
6Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG 38025-440, Brazil. octavio.neto@uftm.edu.br.
7Center for Integrative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. kchen@umaryland.edu.
8Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. hui2162@cuhk.edu.hk.
Conference/Journal: J Clin Med.
Date published: 2018 Oct 31
Other:
Volume ID: 7 , Issue ID: 11 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/jcm7110404. , Word Count: 248
BACKGROUND: Heart rate variability (HRV) as an accurate, noninvasive measure of the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) can reflect mental health (e.g., stress, depression, or anxiety). Tai Chi and Yoga (Tai Chi/Yoga), as the most widely practiced mind⁻body exercises, have shown positive outcomes of mental health. To date, no systematic review regarding the long-lasting effects of Tai Chi/Yoga on HRV parameters and perceived stress has been conducted.
OBJECTIVE: To critically evaluate the existing literature on this topic.
METHODS: Five electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus and Cochrane Library) were searched from the start of the research project to July 2018. Study selection, data extraction, and study quality assessment were independently carried out by two reviewers. The potentially identified randomized controlled trials (RCT) reported the useful quantitative data that were included only for meta-analysis.
RESULTS: meta-analysis of 17 medium-to-high quality RCTs showed significantly beneficial effects on HRV parameters (normalized low-frequency, Hedge's g = -0.39, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.56, p < 0.001, I2 = 11.62%; normalized high-frequency, Hedge's g = 0.37, 95% CI 0.22 to -0.52, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%; low-frequency to high-frequency ratio, Hedge's g = -0.58, 95% CI -0.81 to -0.35, p < 0.001, I2 = 53.78%) and stress level (Hedge's g = -0.80, 95% CI -1.17 to -0.44, p < 0.001, I2 = 68.54%).
CONCLUSIONS: Stress reduction may be attributed to sympathetic-vagal balance modulated by mind⁻body exercises. Tai Chi/Yoga could be an alternative method for stress reduction for people who live under high stress or negative emotions.
KEYWORDS: HRV; Tai Chi; Yoga; autonomous nervous system; mindfulness; psycho-social stress
PMID: 30384420 DOI: 10.3390/jcm7110404
