The Specific and Nonspecific Effects of Tai Chi and Its Possible Central Responses: A Protocol of Neuroimaging Study

Tai Chi has been proven to be a safe and effective assistant therapy for healthcare and disease treatment. However, whether the adjuvant therapeutic effect of Tai Chi is general or disease-oriented remains uncertain. This trial focuses on exploring the specific and nonspecific effects of Tai Chi and its potential central responses. The results will deepen our understanding of the characteristics of Tai Chi exercise for adjuvant therapeutic effects and promote its application in the clinic. In this neuroimaging trial, 40 functional constipation (FC) patients and 40 healthy subjects (HS) will be recruited and will receive 10 weeks of Tai Chi exercise. The motor function, respiratory function, stool-related symptoms, quality of life, and emotional state of the participants will be evaluated at the baseline, the 5-week Tai Chi practice, and the end of practice. The potential changes in the heart rate variability and the cerebral function will be recorded by the 24 h dynamic electrocardiogram at the baseline and the functional magnetic resonance imaging at the end of practice. The possible correlations among the clinical variables, the heart rate variability, and the cerebral activity alterations in FC patients and HS will be analyzed. The healthcare and therapeutic effects of Tai Chi exercise might consist of the specific and nonspecific effects. This study provides not only a new perspective for understanding Tai Chi but also a new approach for investigating the mind-body exercise. This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=33243) on 28 November 2018 (registration number: ChiCTR1800019781; protocol version number: V1.0). This trial is currently in the stage of recruiting patients. The first patient was included on 1 December 2018. To date, 18 FC patients and 20 HS have been included. Recruitment will be completed in December 2020.