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