Author: Meng-Yi Chen1,2, Wei Bai1,2, Ling Zhang3, Sha Sha3, Zhaohui Su4, Teris Cheung5, Gabor S Ungvari6,7, Katrine K Wong8, Todd Jackson9, Feng Yuan3, Yu-Tao Xiang1,2
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, & Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China.
<sup>2</sup> Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China.
<sup>3</sup> Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
<sup>4</sup> School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
<sup>5</sup> School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
<sup>6</sup> Section of Psychiatry, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia.
<sup>7</sup> Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
<sup>8</sup> Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China.
<sup>9</sup> Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China.
Conference/Journal: J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol
Date published: 2025 Jan 7
Other:
Pages: 8919887241313248 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1177/08919887241313248. , Word Count: 210
Within the global population, depression and anxiety are common among older adults. Tai Chi is believed to have a positive impact on these disturbances. This study examined the network structures of depression and anxiety among older Tai Chi practitioners vs non-practitioners. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to construct a non-practitioner group based on Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) data. 346 Tai Chi practitioners and 1019 non-practitioners were included. The prevalence and severity rates of depression were significantly lower among Tai Chi practitioners compared to non-practitioners though there was no group difference for anxiety. Network analysis showed that, among Tai Chi practitioners, "Felt sadness", "Uncontrollable worrying" and "Trouble relaxing" were the most central symptoms. In contrast, among non-practitioners, the most central symptoms were "Felt sadness", "Uncontrollable worrying", and "Nervousness". Key bridge symptoms linking depressive and anxiety symptoms were "Worry too much", "Bothered by things" and "Uncontrollable worrying" in Tai Chi practitioners and "Nervousness", "Felt nervous/fearful" and "Sleep quality" in non-practitioners. This study underscored how practising Tai Chi is associated with reduced overall prevalence and severity of depression and different interactions of depressive and anxiety symptoms among older adults. Central and bridge symptoms differed between Tai Chi practitioners and non-practitioners.
Keywords: anxiety; depression; network analysis; older adults; tai chi.
PMID: 39764618 DOI: 10.1177/08919887241313248