Tai Chi Chuan Alters Brain Functional Network Plasticity and Promotes Cognitive Flexibility
Author: Lei Cui1,2, Sha Tao2, Heng-Chan Yin1, Qi-Qi Shen1, Yuan Wang1, Li-Na Zhu1, Xiu-Juan Li3
Affiliation:
1 College of P.E. and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
2 State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
3 PE Department, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.
Conference/Journal: Front Psychol
Date published: 2021 Jun 29
Other:
Volume ID: 12 , Pages: 665419 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.665419. , Word Count: 265
Objective: This study used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of Tai Chi Chuan and general aerobic exercise on the topological parameters of brain functional networks, explored the advantages of Tai Chi Chuan for improving functional network plasticity and cognitive flexibility, and examined how changes in topological attributes of brain functional networks relate to cognitive flexibility. Methods: Thirty-six healthy adults were grouped into Tai Chi Chuan (Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi), general aerobic exercise (brisk walking), and control groups. All of the subjects underwent fMRI and behavioral assessment before and after the exercise intervention. Results: Tai Chi Chuan exercise significantly enhanced the clustering coefficient and local efficiency compared with general aerobic exercise. Regarding the nodal properties, Tai Chi Chuan significantly enhanced the nodal clustering coefficient of the bilateral olfactory cortex and left thalamus, significantly reduced the nodal clustering coefficient of the left inferior temporal gyrus, significantly improved the nodal efficiency of the right precuneus and bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus, and significantly improved the nodal local efficiency of the left thalamus and right olfactory cortex. Furthermore, the behavioral performance results demonstrated that cognitive flexibility was enhanced by Tai Chi Chuan. The change in the nodal clustering coefficient in the left thalamus induced by Tai Chi Chuan was a significant predictor of cognitive flexibility. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that Tai Chi Chuan could promote brain functional specialization. Brain functional specialization enhanced by Tai Chi Chuan exercise was a predictor of greater cognitive flexibility.
Keywords: Tai Chi Chuan; brain plasticity; exercise intervention; functional magnetic resonance imaging; functional networks.
PMID: 34267705 PMCID: PMC8275936 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.665419
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