Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on Psychobiological Indicators of Anxiety and Sleep Quality in Young Adults

Appalachian State University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Anxiety

Treatments: Behavioral: Enhanced tai chi instruction; Behavioral: 10 week tai chi intervention; Behavioral: Anxiety Management Education

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01624168

EBT Feasibility

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of a 10-week tai chi chuan intervention as a treatment for anxiety and sleep quality in young adults.

Enrollment: 75 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• mild to severe symptoms of anxiety
• interest in participating in an exercise intervention
• willingness to accept randomization
• provides informed consent
• low or moderate risk for acute cardiovascular event

Exclusion criteria

• currently receiving psychotherapy or medication for psychological problems
• current suicide or homicide risk
• current or history of psychosis
• current alcohol or substance dependence
• high risk for an acute cardiovascular event
• current use of prescription drugs with potential to influence the parasympathetic or sympathetic nervous system
• current or previous extensive involvement in mind-body exercise
• symptoms of severe depression

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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75 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

Anxiety Management Education

Placebo Comparator group

Treatment:

Behavioral: Anxiety Management Education

10 week tai chi intervention

Experimental group

Description:

10 week course in Evidence Based Tai Chi meeting 2 times per week

Treatment:

Behavioral: 10 week tai chi intervention

Enhanced tai chi instruction

Experimental group

Description:

10 weeks of instruction in Evidence Based Tai Chi meeting 2 times per week plus DVD for home practice

Treatment:

Behavioral: Enhanced tai chi instruction