The Effects of Twelve Weeks of Tai Chi Practice on Anxiety in Stressed But Healthy People Compared to Exercise and Wait-List Groups-A Randomized Controlled Trial. Author: Zheng S1, Kim C2, Lal S1, Meier P1, Sibbritt D1, Zaslawski C1 Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>University of Technology Sydney. <sup>2</sup>Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. Conference/Journal: J Clin Psychol. Date published: 2017 Jun 13 Other: Special Notes: doi: 10.1002/jclp.22482. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 166 OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial was undertaken to determine whether 12 weeks of Tai Chi (TC) practice can reduce anxiety in healthy but stressed people. METHOD: Fifty participants were randomized into TC (n=17), exercise (n=17), and wait-list (WL) groups (n=16). Outcome measures used were State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale 14 (PSS14), blood pressure and heart rate variability, visual analogue scale (VAS), and Short Form 36. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed from baseline for both TC and exercise groups for both state (p <0.01) and trait (p <0.01) anxiety, PSS14 (p <0.01), VAS (p <0.01), mental health domain (p <0.01), and vitality domain (p <0.01). Superior outcomes were also observed for TC when compared with WL for state and trait anxiety (p <0.01) and mental health domain (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: TC reduces stress levels in healthy individuals and provides a safer, cost effective, and less physically vigorous alternative to exercise. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. KEYWORDS: Tai Chi; alternative medicine; clinical trial; mindfulness; randomized controlled trial; stress PMID: 28608523 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22482