Tai chi/yoga effects on anxiety, heartrate, EEG and math computations. 


Author: Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M.  

Affiliation: Touch Research Institutes, University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Miami, FL 33101, USA. tfield@med.miami.edu 
Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Clin Pract.
Date published: 2010 Nov
Other:
 Volume ID: 16   ,  Issue ID: 4   ,  Pages: 235-8   ,  Word Count: 138  
    OBJECTIVE: To determine the immediate effects of a combined form of Tai chi/yoga.



DESIGN: 38 adults participated in a 20-min Tai chi/yoga class. The session was comprised of standing Tai chi movements, balancing poses and a short Tai chi form and 10 min of standing, sitting and lying down yoga poses.



MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The pre- and post- Tai chi/yoga effects were assessed using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), EKG, EEG and math computations.



RESULTS: Heartrate increased during the session, as would be expected for this moderate-intensity exercise. Changes from pre to post-session assessments suggested increased relaxation including decreased anxiety and a trend for increased EEG theta activity.



CONCLUSIONS: The increased relaxation may have contributed to the increased speed and accuracy noted on math computations following the Tai chi/yoga class.



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