Effects of Tai Chi on patients with moderate to severe COPD in stable phase

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Tai Chi training on moderate to severe Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the stable phase. This was a 2-arm randomized clinical trial. A total of 226 COPD patients with moderate to severe in the stable phase were allocated to either the control group or the observation group. The observation of the frequency of acute exacerbation for both groups lasted for at least 52 weeks follow-up. Changes in lung function and symptom scores of health-related quality of life (St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire score) were also compared between the 2 groups. The accompanying anxiety and depressive symptoms of the patients were evaluated using the Self-Rating Depression Scale and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale prior to the procedure and 52 weeks later. Patients with moderate to severe COPD in China were divided into the Tai Chi group (n = 116) or control group (n = 110). After excluding 10 patients who fell off, 108 patients were enrolled in each group. Evidently, the matched group had higher exacerbation rate than the Tai Chi group (P < .05). Both groups showed no significant improvement in lung function (P > .05) but showed significant improvement in morbidity of acute exacerbation and quality of life (P < .05) compared with their former performance. Compared with regular therapy, Tai Chi also improved health-related quality of life (P < .05). The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale scores of the 2 groups of patients after treatment and 52-week after treatment showed a notable decrease (P < .05). Overall, Tai Chi treatment was well tolerated. For moderate to severe COPD patients, regular treatment with Tai Chi can not only improve their health-related quality of life but also reduce the exacerbation rate compared with regular treatment alone. Tai Chi is recommended for COPD rehabilitation.