By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.
In today’s Research News article “Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong intervention on anxiety and stress in diabetic and hypertensive Brazilian patients: a randomized controlled trial” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12002851/ ) Santos and colleagues examined the psychological impact of Tai Chi and Qigong practice on patients with diabetes and/or hypertension. They found that the practices significantly reduced anxiety and stress in the patients.
Tai Chi and Qigong practice reduces anxiety and stress in patients with diabetes and/or hypertension.
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Study Summary
Santos LRAC, Taíra A, Possobon RDF, et al. Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong intervention on anxiety and stress in diabetic and hypertensive Brazilian patients: a randomized controlled trial. Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2025;23:eAO1076. Published 2025 Mar 17. doi:10.31744/einstein_journal/2025AO1076
In Brief
A 13-week Tai Chi/Qigong intervention reduced anxiety and stress in middle-aged and older Brazilian patients with diabetes and hypertension. With significant improvements in the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and PSS14 scores, this practice shows potential as an effective adjunctive therapy in primary care.
ABSTRACT
Objective:
This study investigated the effects of Tai Chi/Qigong practice over 13 weeks on anxiety and perceived stress levels in middle-aged or older Brazilian hypertensive and diabetic individuals assisted in a primary healthcare setting.
Methods:
Ninety-one patients with diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension diagnosed and followed up at a primary care center were randomized to the Tai Chi/Qigong intervention (n = 45) or waitlist (n = 46) group for 13 weeks. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and at 6 and 13 weeks for anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]) and stress (Perceived Stress Scale – PSS14). The primary endpoint of the study was 13 weeks. We used a linear mixed-effects model to analyze the primary and secondary outcomes, considering the treatment group and time as covariates and treating the subject as a random effect.
Results:
Of the included 91 participants, 53 completed the 6-week assessment, and 42 completed the 13-week assessment. After 13 weeks, the Tai Chi/Qigong Group had lower scores for anxiety (STAI Estimate = -6.421; SD = 2.679; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = [-11.615,-1.224]; p = 0.018) and stress (PSS14 Estimate = -9.290; SD= 2.262; 95%CI= [-13.678,-4.906]; p<0.001).
Conclusion:
A 13-week Tai Chi/Qigong intervention was efficacious in lowering anxiety and perceived stress scores in middle-aged and older patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension and can potentially be used in primary care centers as an adjunct therapy.