Tai chi may be boost for heart patients – research

People with chronic heart failure may be able to boost their quality of life by doing tai chi, the ancient Chinese exercise regimen, a US study suggested. Two group sessions of one hour each per week were enough to show significant improvements in...

People with chronic heart failure may be able to boost their quality of life by doing tai chi, the ancient Chinese exercise regimen, a US study suggested.

Two group sessions of one hour each per week were enough to show significant improvements in mood and confidence, said the Boston-based study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, a journal of the American Medical Association.

The study compared 50 US heart patients who enrolled in tai chi classes – sessions led by an instructor who guided the class in a series of fluid motions – to 50 who took classroom study in heart education.

Physical responses were similar in both groups, but those who did tai chi showed “significant” improvements according to their answers in a questionnaire to assess their emotional state.

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