Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin Increase Grey Matter Volume in Older Adults: A Brain Imaging Study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate and compare how 12-weeks of Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin exercise can modulate brain structure and memory function in older adults. Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) and memory function measurements (Wechsler Memory Scale-Chinese revised, WMS-CR)were applied at both the beginning and end of the study. Results showed that both Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin could significantly increase grey matter volume (GMV) in the insula, medial temporal lobe (MTL), and putamen after 12-weeks of exercise. No significant differences were observed in grey matter volume (GMV) between the Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin groups. We also found that compared to healthy controls, Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin significantly improved visual reproduction subscores on the WMS-CR. Baduanjin also improved mental control, recognition, touch and comprehension memory subscores of the WMS-CR compared to the control group. Memory quotient (MQ)and visual reproduction subscores were both associated with GMV increases in the putamen and hippocampus. Our results demonstrate the potential of Tai Chi Chuan and Baduanjin exercise for the prevention of memory deficits in older adults.

Effects of Mind‐Body Exercises on Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Meta‐Analysis

“…A total of 32 randomized clinical trials with 3624 participants were included in the analysis. The age of the included participants ranged from 50 to 85 years.…”

“…Because mind‐body exercise is a nonpharmacologic therapy, nearly all of the studies failed to blind the participants and personnel. The outcome assessments were blinded in 20 studies (62.5%) . Thirty studies (93.75%) had a low risk of attrition bias because most studies reported the dropout rate or represented detailed explanations.…”

“…The outcome assessments were blinded in 20 studies (62.5%) . Thirty studies (93.75%) had a low risk of attrition bias because most studies reported the dropout rate or represented detailed explanations. Overall, 21 studies (65.6%) 16–22,24,25,27–29,33–35,37–40 were recognized as having a low risk of methodological quality, and the remaining studies were deemed to have a low methodological quality.…”

“…The treatments used for the intervention groups included tai chi, [14][15][16][17]25,26,28,29,31,33,[35][36][37][38][39][40]42,43 yoga, 13,[21][22][23][24]32,34,41 and dance. 12,[18][19][20]27,30 Different practices of mind-body exercises included varied schools that were12/24-form Yang-style tai chi, ballroom dance, Iyengar or Kundalini yoga, and so on (the detailed schools are shown in Supplementary Table S1).…”

“…Among the 32 RCTs, 24 studies (75%) 13,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22]24,25,[27][28][29][30][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]42,43 reported random sequence generation using appropriate methods such as a random number table, computer generation, or block or stratified randomization, and 15 studies (46.9%) 16,[19][20][21][22]24,25,[27][28][29]35,37,40,42,43 reported the use of allocation concealment methods. Because mindbody exercise is a nonpharmacologic therapy, nearly all of the studies failed to blind the participants and personnel.…”